Q: I've been reading about homosexuality and am confused. It seems that some people are born that way - and that is logical. But it doesn't seem that most churches accept that fact. Why is that?
A: People are not born to be homosexual. God created each of us for a heterosexual marriage. The exception to that would be the people whom He may have created to live celibate lives (i.e., those who never marry).
People are born with sinful natures that can be tempted. Those who have been abused sexually, for example, often find themselves a target for sexual temptations that are stronger and/or different than what the average person might experience.
We know the character and nature of God, and we have His Word (the Bible) that tells us what He thinks about virtually everything we'd ever encounter in life. Clearly God would not create someone to be something that He would then forbid.
The problem with those with homosexual feelings today is that they believe those feelings (temptations) define them. They don't. Similarly, people with food issues shouldn't just give up and proclaim that they were born that way and will just be fat. God wouldn't create people to be gluttonous and then declare gluttony a sin. It's just not who God is.
Those with homosexual tendencies need to come to grips with the difference between a temptation and a definition. (And they are different!)
Showing posts with label definition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label definition. Show all posts
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fatherhood Defined
Dear Victorious,
What do you think is the definition of a good father?
Tammy L. - Victoria, TX
Dear Tammy,
A lot of money has been made (and spent) on books, greeting cards and editorials defining fatherhood for us. It is ironic to me that we have so much trouble grasping that definition. Like many things in life, I suspect the truest definition is the one that will escape most of us.
God is the consummate father. So I look to God for the best definition of fatherhood. He is the ideal model. I study His character and nature. I look at how He treats His children. (Inevitably, I notice that what I see doesn't look very much like many of the so-called fatherhood models that we pursue today in modern society.) Here are some conclusions I can draw.
A father loves the mother of his children unconditionally. He sacrifices self for we safety and well-being.
A father draws firm boundaries and enforces them sternly.
A father brings out the best in his wife and in each of his children.
A father is rich in wisdom and wise counsel. Moreover, he gains influence in the lives of his children by convincing them that he loves them and always has their best interests at heart.
A father is transparent with his feelings and emotions. His tender side is well known to his children.
A father earns the fearful respect of his children. He is a force to be reckoned with. He will not be ignored.
A father doesn't have more children than he can successfully parent.
A true father isn't defined by blood lineage. Anyone can impregnate a woman to produce offspring. True fathers aren't defined by birthrights. Rather it is the spiritual dimension of the relationship that makes someone a true father.
Notice the absence of modern concepts like "quality time" (whatever that might be) or "love languages," and other such nonsense that society wants us to believe defines the quality of relationships.
I read the sappy greeting cards every year. I see the sappy TV shows and read the sappy write ups in the newspaper and magazines. But I notice that the truly memorable and noteworthy father stories always depict a man who acts and lives with the character and heart of God.
What do you think is the definition of a good father?
Tammy L. - Victoria, TX
Dear Tammy,
A lot of money has been made (and spent) on books, greeting cards and editorials defining fatherhood for us. It is ironic to me that we have so much trouble grasping that definition. Like many things in life, I suspect the truest definition is the one that will escape most of us.
God is the consummate father. So I look to God for the best definition of fatherhood. He is the ideal model. I study His character and nature. I look at how He treats His children. (Inevitably, I notice that what I see doesn't look very much like many of the so-called fatherhood models that we pursue today in modern society.) Here are some conclusions I can draw.
A father loves the mother of his children unconditionally. He sacrifices self for we safety and well-being.
A father draws firm boundaries and enforces them sternly.
A father brings out the best in his wife and in each of his children.
A father is rich in wisdom and wise counsel. Moreover, he gains influence in the lives of his children by convincing them that he loves them and always has their best interests at heart.
A father is transparent with his feelings and emotions. His tender side is well known to his children.
A father earns the fearful respect of his children. He is a force to be reckoned with. He will not be ignored.
A father doesn't have more children than he can successfully parent.
A true father isn't defined by blood lineage. Anyone can impregnate a woman to produce offspring. True fathers aren't defined by birthrights. Rather it is the spiritual dimension of the relationship that makes someone a true father.
Notice the absence of modern concepts like "quality time" (whatever that might be) or "love languages," and other such nonsense that society wants us to believe defines the quality of relationships.
I read the sappy greeting cards every year. I see the sappy TV shows and read the sappy write ups in the newspaper and magazines. But I notice that the truly memorable and noteworthy father stories always depict a man who acts and lives with the character and heart of God.
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