June 2009: Who Speaks For God?

I talk to God a lot- especially when I drive and even more so when I ride my motorcycle. At times, I'm tempted to think that my talking to God is enough, however, a relationship is a two way street, requiring communication to flow both directions. Do I wait and listen for God's voice? Do I read His Word to find out what He says? Do I meditate on His Word and let the Holy Spirit minister to me?

I also know that a lot of people presume to talk for God, especially when it comes to the issues of our day. The recent Supreme Court decision on Prop 8, defining marriage as that between a man and a woman, reminds us of that. Pastors have lined up on both sides of the issues. One acquaintance I know wrote on his face book page that he was proud of his Pastor for taking a stand with gay rights and for being arrested while demonstrating on decision day. Other Pastors speak with condemnation towards gays and liberals and wonder where our country is heading. I have to wonder though, what does God say?

All sin is awful, from the little white lies we say to the ugly things we think, from our fits of rage to our selfish pride, from judging others to acting outside the scope of love. All of it stands in contrast to who God is and what God says. Sin leads us down a path away from God. When it comes to God’s voice, we have one tool to measure it- the Word of God. If what is said contradicts God's Word, you can be assured it is not God speaking. If it affirms God's Word, then we can be assured that it is God's voice leading us. What about the times when we are unsure? We can look to God's Word and make sure we are living according to God's truth. We can pray hard and long, waiting for God's leading. In the mean time, we are to love God with all of our being, and love others as ourselves. Loving others doesn't mean that we agree with them or that we ignore their sin. Loving others means that we treat them with respect. That we listen to them and affirm their God given worth and value, which is so tangibly demonstrated by Jesus Christ, who died for all. Not just for "good" people, but “all” people. For all of us are sinners and all of us need God's grace.

Since we are at the beginning of summer, when we look for ways to relax and enjoy life, why not plop into a patio chair situated in the shade, with your favorite cold drink, and spend time in God’s Word. Not just reading it, but meditating on it. Don’t rush it. Give God time to speak through His Word to you.

Blessings,
Pastor Pete