WHAT GOT LOST IN DUCK DYNASTY CONTROVERSY:

 

 

Below Is The Scripture That Caused

So Much Controversy

 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people-none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NLT)

 

 

Recently the Patriarch of the hugely popular show, "Duck Dynasty" was caught up in a controversy regarding human sexuality that really has set up a fire storm.  The politically correct tradiophobic types  are demanding that he be removed from the show.  Some are calling him a "homophobe," and others are standing up for his right to speak freely.  People like Bill O'Reilly say he is judging, even while Bill is making a judgment call against Phil for his way of presenting himself on these matters. Bill even quotes from the Bible to make his own determination. Finally some are saying "What right does he have to condemn people to hell?"  It's been real interesting to be a "fly on the wall."

 

Yet, I am concerned about something that has gotten lost in all this:  Phil was telling his story about how he "use to be" before meeting Jesus.  He talked about how he no longer lives like he use to.  Once he met Christ, he knew he was condemned for his sins.  He turned from them to Jesus and was changed.  The Bible calls that becoming a new creation/creature. He talked about being transformed, and he talked about being a Christian who is going to heaven.  Now he did not say these words exactly, but this was/is a synopsis of the concepts about which he was speaking.

 

Now it is true that sin, including the ones highlighted in the scripture used above, cause a person... all persons... to be condemned.  "The pay check for sin is death."  Romans 3:23.  That is why Jesus came.  To take the condemnation and be our Savior from our sins.

However, notice something about those sins... or any sin... mentioned above.  The people to whom Paul was writing USE TO BE THAT WAY!!! But NOT ANYMORE!  They met Jesus and they were forgiven, and THEY WERE TRANSFORMED!  They were NOT eligible for Heaven, but they met the one who paid their sin debt.  He forgave them, cleansed them, washed them, and he gave them an entirely new life. AND They were NOW citizens of Heaven!

 

They now had the spiritual power to no longer indulge in sexual sins. They could actually control themselves, through Christ, stop being sex addicts. They no longer were hooked on worshipping idols.  They no longer committed adultery or were male prostitutes. They were transformed from being homosexual to being heterosexual. God took away their greed, thieving ways, and their enslavement to being drunkards. God transformed them from being abusive and he transformed their "cheating hearts" to be Christ like.  He gave them a "get out of Jail free" card from Hell and He gave them their Heavenly pass.

 

What all those critics of Phil are missing is the point that Phil "ain't" like he was. Jesus "saved" him.   Sure he is not what he wants to be, and he is not what he is going to be, but he is praising Jesus and thanking God that he is NOT what he was. He is not going to Hell.  He is going to Heaven because Jesus came to be the Savior of the world.  He came to be Phil's Savior as well.

 

I have a strong need to say to anyone who reads this blog, you do not have to be a victim of your past.  You do not have to be in bondage to sin and death.  You do not have to be a slave to your passions nor you sins.  You do NOT have to go to Hell.  You can be assured you are going to Heaven.

 

Why?  Because unto us a Child was born, unto us a savior was given.  His name is Jesus, and it is "Jesus" because He came to save us from our sins.  Yes... He came to forgive us of our sins.  He came also to cleanse us from our sins.  He came to deliver us from the sins/ traumas that screwed up our lives. He cam to make us new creations.  He came to transform us. He came to save us from Hell, Death and the grave. He came to give us Heaven, life and eternity with Him.

 

It is not judgmental to say we are condemned for our sins because we are condemned for our sins.  And it is not just one group.  It is ALL of us who are condemned... unless we turn our lives over to the one who came to save us and fulfill what He says, "Behold I make all things new." Jesus.

 

So, please know that something got lost in this conversation.  Please consider what I have shared about how people can change... even those struggling with same sex attraction.  Check out the web page at www.peoplecanchange.com as one sample.  Please turn over your sins, passions and pride to Jesus, and let Him transform you for now and eternity.  And please pass this on to all your friends.

 

Then Be Blessed 2day

Especially 2day.

 

SoJourner