“I did not wait for Flag #3!”
On my last medical mission site-survey in Cambodia, at the hotel breakfast, I sat with a Catholic Priest from Belgium (approximately seventy-five years-old) and a handful of his team members of young adults (ages ranged from twenty to twenty-seven). The Priest was leading a mission team of approximately twenty young adults and they were there to assist in building houses.
I assumed because of Jesus that we’d have much in common, so in getting acquainted, I mentioned how controversial the name of Jesus is today in America, i.e., tolerance, ecumenicalism, don’t offend anyone by praying publicly to any one particular god, and, certainly, never end a prayer in Jesus’ name. A young twenty-seven year-old man said, “When you pray in Jesus’ name, you’re praying to only one god.” His comment struck me odd, so Flag #1 went up.
I continued and described the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in our military and how offensive it was to Christians. I explained the process of tier-training that took place within the US military to educate the masses to support open homosexuality. One young lady sitting there proudly said, “We don’t have that problem because gay marriage is legal in our country.” Flag #2 went up. I did not wait for Flag #3, so I asked, “Hey, wait a minute! What do you guys believe about homosexuality?”
The twenty-seven year-old man jumped right in and said they were born that way. [Remember me telling you about my “1-2 Punch” debate technique? 1) Ask for their source of truth, then 2) Share your source of truth.] I asked him, “Where did you get that from? Who said that they were born that way?” He jokingly said, “Lady Gaga… ‘Born This Way.’” The youngsters all chuckled and I participated with a lifeless Ha-ha. “Seriously, where’s your proof for making such a statement?” He had no response, just a blank stare.
I told them that I have several, dear friends who struggle with homosexuality, and that every one of them is in some sort of guilt and pain directly related to their choice in lifestyle. I shared that every time I’ve ministered in-depth to people like this, I ask them, “If you had a chance to start your life over and choose a path – straight or gay – which one would you choose?” Each person swiftly chose to be straight. I explained that I quickly tell my struggling friends that they do have a chance to start over… by being born-again. Give your life to Jesus and let him minister to you.
That same young lady at the table was indignant and said, “The reason I believe they’re in pain is because of judgmental, intolerant people like you, who don’t accept them for the way God made them.” I dismissed her childish accusation and instead pressed her for an answer. “Says who? Where’s your proof that God made them that way?” Again, silence. I told the table, “All you’re presenting is your opinion, but I have the Word of God. The bible is very clear, from beginning to end, that God does not condone any sort of sexual sin, to include homosexuality. And FYI, there is no proof, not one medical or scientific study, that supports your foolish claim.”
The Priest, appearing to be a little shaken, jumped in and tried to deflect the conversation by saying, “The bible is open to personal interpretation.” I quickly responded, “Any 3rd-Grader could read the bible and conclude that homosexuality is wrong.” The twenty-seven year-old man departed our atmosphere of logic – apparently heading for planet Jupiter – said, “Is the bible literal or figurative? What about creation? Was it literal, twenty-four hour days?” I told him the creation account isn’t the biggest Kingdom issue with me, but whether it was seven days or seven ages doesn’t matter – although, if we had time, I could make a very strong argument in support of seven, twenty-four hour days.
This twenty-seven year-old must’ve left Jupiter for deeper space because he said, “You weren’t there. How do you know if the bible is true or not?” I said that the bible has been tested over time and it’s geographically, cosmologically, biologically, historically, and prophetically accurate. Spaceboy said, “So if I wrote a book, would you believe it blindly, also?” This is how I remember his age because I looked him square in the eye and asked, “How old are you??? Twenty-seven?!! That question was very childish, something I would expect from a sixteen year-old. What I’m sharing with all of you is Christianity 101 stuff! Why don’t you know this? Don’t you read your Bibles?!!” Nope.
I took the next 2-3 minutes to explain the gospel to them, which led us to, and confronted them with, the million-dollar question. “If everybody sins, and all sins must be paid for, if Jesus doesn’t pay for our sins, then who pays?” This seemed like a totally new concept to these Belgians. The Priest pointed at a table of Koreans and said, “So, you think God wants those Buddhists to go to hell?” (Lol! He assumed their religion.) I told him, “I sat and met with those Koreans about thirty minutes ago. They’re Christians because they believe Jesus was the sacrifice for their sins.” More silence from the Belgian delegation. (Sigh)
I shared with these Belgians that Buddha did not pay for the sins of the world. Spaceboy, traveling at light-speed further away from rationale, jumped in and said, “Maybe Jesus didn’t know Buddha. Jesus didn’t know everything.” I was stunned. It was like talking to a brick wall. (FYI: Jesus is God – 1Tim 3:16; Jn 1:14, 10:30. He’s the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End – Rev 1:8).
Bottom line here, these people referred to themselves as Christians, but they didn’t read the bible, know the bible, or they just plain didn’t believe the bible. That’s an unconscionable place to be for a Christian, let alone an Unbeliever, because you have no fixed point of reference for truth or morality. (Read “Who moved the muffler?!!”) Without a fixed point of reference, how do you determine morality or truth? Who determines right or wrong?
Think on these things:
– Jesus said you are in error if you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God (Mt 22:29).
– The engrafted word is able to save our souls (James 1:21).
– We are sanctified with the truth, His word is truth (John 17:17).
– The Lord alone speaks the truth; He declares what is right. (Isa 45:19)