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Access to God
January 11, 2014

We ended 2013 with a review of a Statement of Beliefs for those who identify as First-Century Apostolic Christians, those of us who believe our practices are closely aligned to the practices of the first-century church. One of those beliefs is that access to the Father is through Jesus, originates with the Father, and requires obedience to Jesus and the obedience that Jesus had towards the Father including observing the commandments, weekly Sabbath and Holy Days. I often think of access to God as the path to freedom and believe that the truth will make me free.

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus taught that the truth will make us free. It makes me wonder what a lie would do for me, you, and society in general. Paul wrote about that in Romans and there is a direct connection between a lie and the truth of God to the current debate on gay marriage and homosexuality.

Romans 1:16-32
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

These verses show that societies who change the truth of God into a lie bring about homosexuality. Changing the truth of God into a lie can mean many things. It could mean what is God's truth is presented as a lie, much like the serpent did in the Garden of Eden while tempting Eve. It could also mean that lies are presented as the truth of God. As Christians it is our responsibility to preserve what is the truth of God and to guard against lies when these are misrepresented as the truth of God. In the great debate over homosexuality and gay marriage we somehow overlook this Biblical cause, and perhaps we overlook the Biblical cause of homosexuality because as Christians we know it places greater responsibility on us. These verses suggest the greatest choice regarding a homosexual lifestyle may not be made by those who live these lives, but by those who allow God's truth to be presented as a lie and allow lies to be presented as God's truth.

Along with homosexuality, these verses show that the same decision about distorting God's truth with a lie also lists the root cause of most of the societal problems we have. Access to the Father is tied to the truth and obedience.

Matthew 5:17-20
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

So in an age where we have these great debates regarding homosexuality and gay marriage, what is a Christian to do? This Christian is willing to admit fault in allowing a culture that permits the truth of God to be confused with a lie. And before we turn our look to society as a whole, we need to first examine ourselves as every root cause of societal problems listed in Romans chapter one can also be found in the church. We have erred and need to change our ways before there will be any change in others. For those who are homosexuals and perhaps in a gay marriage, I believe your actions while described in these same verses as unnatural are presented as a predictable result of the situation of distorting God's truth with a lie. You often say there was no choice for you, and I would say Romans Chapter One suggests that to the degree that God's truth is distorted with a lie homosexuality overtakes many. The problem that leaves is most mainstream Christians will never see their responsibility in the distortion of God's truth with a lie as this debate ensues. To my Christian friends who may believe differently, I wish you love and peace and encourage you to consider how we may change to postively impact this world. I also extend the same love and peace to those who are homosexuals, just one of the twenty-four problems listed in Romans chapter one.

As a First-Century Apostolic Christian, my religious practices are different in significant ways from the practices of virtually all who call themselves Christian. In the prior study on Access to the Father, the scriptures show that the path to God is through Jesus, but originates with God through obedience to him, keeping his commandments, the Sabbath, and Holy Days. While in this time many are called to defend their beliefs regarding gay marriage and homosexuality, I believe I am called to write about the commandments, Sabbath, and Holy Days as these apply to Christians and Christian Living through faith in this modern time. I believe our lack of observance to the commandments, Sabbath, and Holy Days has led to the society we know today, including each of the twenty-four problems listed in Romans chapter one. It is time for us to return to a time of faith based on the truth and I invite you to join me.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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