Miami Dolphins Attack On Don Jones

For all those who believe the Bible is outdated and that it does not speak to our generation we have another glaring example of its living, powerful, active work in our world. The prophet Isaiah in chp. 5:20 said "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Jesus said in the Gospel of John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Yes, this is the same Jesus that loved us and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20).  This is the same Jesus "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,  that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose strips ye were healed"( 1 Peter 2:24).  In our day if a man says something that is true (light) he is treated like he has said something evil (darkness). Don Jones made two little comments and was treated by the Miami Dolphins as though he had committed battery against his wife, or was arrested  for DUI. The Miami Dolphins  fined and suspended Don Jones for tweeting "OMG" and "horrible"(light) because a drafted football player was kissing another man on ESPN. They have also demanded that he complete "educational training". Head Coach John Philbin put out a statement in which he said  "These comments are not consistent with the values and standards of our program"(darkness). I don't know if the Coach has a grip on what values and standards are but by this statement it appears that he does not. It may be a wise move for the Miami Dolphins and their head Coach to receive some educational training on what values and standards are.
In Luke 17:28-30 Jesus said "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when Son of man is revealed." Homosexuality is not just horrible it is a SIN. Why should anyone be forced to accept a sinful act as a normal part of life? It is abnormal,  unnatural, and indecent behavior that should not be promoted by the NFL. Sadly, the only recourse that the fans have is not to show up for the games. I would certainly encourage fans of the teams that our involved in this promotion of sinful acts to withdraw their support. The only thing this world will respond to is the loss of their almighty dollar. Instead of being concerned about pleasing the Creator they are more concerned about political correctness. Do not forget when this world is over you will not be standing before the court of public opinion but you will be standing before God. Romans 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."  Revelations 20:11-15 " And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Old or New

"The New Testament is distinguished from the Old Testament by the word "new" It is not just a revelation but a continuation of the history of God's activity in the new world.[i] "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John1:29) This verse from the New Testament would make no sense to one without knowledge of Old Testament passages such as Exodus 12. It's important that one realise the Old Testament and New Testament do not represent a plan A and plan B by God. It's always been plan A; it's always been Jesus from before the foundation of the world. What a glorious continuation indeed.

 "The New Testament is linked to the Old Testament in the sense that it was viewed by the early church as having the same authority as the Old Testament. It was seen as revelatory of God's will and as scripture."[ii] "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16) Paul's is referring to the Old Testament in this passage. As such, the Old Testament is to be used today as it was then, for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. However, Peter refers to Paul's writings as scripture in 2 Peter 3:16, which would indicate that Paul's writings are also inspired of God. Thus, Old and New Testaments are God breathed and should be read and understood as such.

It is important that I remind myself of these truths often so that I do not forget how the New and Old Testaments are inextricably linked.

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[i] Hester, Kevin, Dr. "What Is the New Testament." Student-My Welch College. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.

[ii] Hester, Kevin, Dr. 

First and Second Adam

            "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12) just about sums up the whole problem. Paul goes on to say that "death reigned from Adam to Moses", at which time the Law was introduced. Through Adam's disobedience sin and death passed to me and with it judgment and condemnation. The actions of one person thousands of years ago still impact our lives today.

            Jesus, on the other hand, has a different impact on us. Jesus, as the second Adam, offers the free gift of grace, abundant grace, justification, and righteousness, which will reign in us all. This all occurs because of the obedience of one man, the man Christ Jesus. Again, the actions of one person thousands of years ago has a serious impact on our lives.

            In Romans 7 Paul refers to the law as spiritual. It is the law that illuminates our sinfulness. Without the law there is no knowledge of sin. It is this knowledge that helps one realise that they are dead in their trespasses and sins. Paul also speaks of another law. This is the law of sin. There is an almighty struggle between good and evil, which occurs in one. Our fallen nature will always war against the spirit. We have only one hope of escaping the law of death and that is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 when he said the "just shall live by faith." Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Specifically, by grace through faith we are saved. This has always been God's plan.

Paul said, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20) and "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:24) I love the word grace. It speaks to God's divine unmerited favour and His divine influence in our lives that brings about both salvation and sanctification. We are also justified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ as mentioned in Romans 5:9. "And without shedding of blood is no remission", says the writer of Hebrews.

We are all born under the penalty of the law of sin. The law that is spiritual makes us aware of our sin and shows us our complete inability to overcome sin and death without Jesus. Jesus comes along side us and removes our sin debt by His grace, faith, and blood. All of which gives us freedom from and power over sin.