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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
In accepting a humanitarian service award from the Human Rights Campaign, Janet Jackson's comments regarding her recent personal trials, as well as those of her family – and the faith that saw her through them – were revealing as to her spiritual condition; mirroring many in society today. "What I've learned in these recent months is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And it's real, it's a beautiful light that both comforts our minds and strengthens our souls. Tonight my heart is filled with gratitude for that light. I'm so grateful that prayers are answered, that faith is rewarded and tolerance is celebrated as a virtue. I'm grateful that God is of unconditional love."
She received a standing ovation from the hundreds of activists representing and supporting the gay rights movement, honoring her for her vocal and monetary support of AIDS research, awareness campaigns and prevention programs, etc. (Not necessarily a bad thing, as there are countless "innocents" suffering the ravages of this terrible disease alongside those who have contracted it as a consequence of lifestyle choices.) She concluded by saying, "Acceptance is right. Kindness is right. Love is right. I pray, right now, that we're moving into a kinder time where prejudice is overcome by understanding; where narrow–mindedness, and narrow-minded bigotry is overwhelmed by open-hearted empathy; where the pain of judgmentalism is replaced by the purity of love."
What could possibly be wrong with that? Don't we all hope for answered prayer and believe faith is rewarded? Isn't acceptance, kindness and tolerant consideration something we all crave? Don't we all need to be understood, finding joy in the purity of non-judgmental, unconditional love? Janet Jackson was demure, sincere and gracious on stage that night (in contrast to the virtual soft-porn presentations of many of her videos and much of her music); she genuinely believes what she says and acts on those beliefs. However, a key to understanding what her faith is based on can be found in her references to "God" with virtually no mention of Jesus – which admittedly would make her suspect in the eyes of many. Yet this is worship of a tamed God, who has no standards or expectations of his followers except that they "be good"; with the definition of goodness being left up to each individual. This God loves everyone; so much so that he excuses everything they do; forgiving every sin – automatically – embracing even an unrepentant, self-indulgent lifestyle. This formula for salvation gives its adherents a wavering – and false – sense of self-fulfillment and justification based on appeasement that merely soothes one's conscience and hopes for the best if Judgment Day ever occurs.
On the other hand, biblically sound principles of faith teach that God's grace is indeed offered freely to all, the realization of our need initially brought about through broken-heartedness and a contrite spirit. (Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:17; 66:2; Matthew 5:3; Luke 18:13-14; Acts 2:37,38; 1 Timothy 1:15) Christian salvation is then fully embraced only by those who acknowledge the reality of their sinfulness, who reject the rebellion of a self-centered lifestyle and recognize the supremacy of God's will in Christ; afterward living a new life based on the standards of holiness set by God. What Janet and others miss – either intentionally or out of ignorance – is that God is a God of justice and compassion, "…the wages of sin…" meted out as something we've earned, which is death; "…the gift of God…", acquired through Christ Jesus – being eternal life. (Romans 6:23) Obedience and good works then are expected of us, not as a condition of our salvation but in response to it. (Matthew 28:20; John 14:23; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:2; 2 Timothy 3:7) This formula for salvation offers conviction, resolution and redemption with real and lasting peace; fostering an unshakeable confidence in God and salvation through His Son. (Hebrews 4:16)
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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