THE BIBLE IS RATED “R”
I was told as a young man training in ministry to “be myself…don’t copy other preachers and don’t wear a façade… be yourself.” Well, I took that advice in verbatim – probably too literal :-). Well, I’ve been occasionally accused of being a bit controversial and too blunt – ok… it’s been more than occasional but who’s counting!
I just have a deep desire to be real. People live REAL LIVES with REAL ISSUES and need REAL ANSWERS. I’ve come to understand that “the truth” will always be confrontational. Therefore, why should the messenger be passive in telling it? The prophets weren’t passive, John the Baptist wasn’t passive and neither were Jesus and the Apostles.
As a matter of fact, the Bible itself is quite direct, blunt and candid. If rated today by the Motion Picture Association of America it would have a very hard-core “R” rating. Within it’s pages and books there is murder, lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, violence, fornication, sodomy, witch craft, abuse, incest, blasphemy, etc… But it also vividly communicates God’s judgment, along with His love, mercy and grace toward humanity. It dramatically depicts the difference between the wickedness of humanity compared to the holiness of God.
The Bible is as real as our lives are today. For the record, I’m NOT condoning watching “R” rated movies and living as the heathen do but I do want to communicate for us to live our lives with sincerity and realness. We need to use the Word of God as a guideline and rule of how we should navigate through this life. It’s blunt and direct. Its words are words of life. Its truth will set us free! It’s real!
Anxious to read your thoughts,
Pastor Manny
For everything we need, for every question we have, for every trial we go through, the answers are in God’s Word. There is no sugar coating it, so neither should we live sugar coated lives or give people a sugar coated “truth”. Live it and tell it like it is.
Sir, I agree. A lot of times people will tell you to watch what you say and sure there is a time and place for that. But life is so much easier if you say what you really mean. It stings at first but is so much less painful than the common beating around the bush of things! So I say onward! 🙂
The bible is rated “R”! No way! (In a sarcastic voice). It is so true that the content inside The Word is very explicit, but it is definitely real in the aspect of what happens today. I guess I have to use the Word as a mirror more often in my life. I would probably be a lot better off than doing things my way.
The bible is real and it tells the truth. We have to be real and live real lives. I know living a real life will set me free.
If it is true that the Bible would be rated “R” would only be by its content…
Ps.: By the way I agree it would be rated “R”.
We have to be totally blunt when it comes to talking about the Bible and it’s truths. Watering it down defeats it’s very purpose to convict and confront people and bring them to the truth.
I like this blog because it talks about how life is rated R and how movies try to imitate it but it just can’t compare to are lives. The Bible is as real as our lives and how we can use it as a guideline and rule for our lives.
Well the Bible it shows you who you are and it can tell you how to live your life. we know that a movie is not real so we can read the Bible because we lknow that it won’t lie to you and it will set you free.
People can have their own opinion. I for one rather people to be real to me all the way no matter what the situation. Word of god is geniune just like He is. Pastor do not change your realness, you are true Man of God that is has imperfections just like all of us.
And God Himself said…..and the truth shall set you free, right? The Bible is the word of God and it brings freedom to our lives therefore it shouldn’t be changed it should be preached as it is!
I have to agree, the stories told in the Bible are quite graphic. But like you said, it just depicts reality, it shows flat out how imperfect we are as humans. Thank God for his love and the mercy that he has shown to us and continues to show every day.
I think the Bible make perfect sense by having all the stuff that makes it rated R. Because our lives is a rated R movie and if something is going to talk and minister to us, it most be in a fashion that we can relate and understand. And is not as if the things that happen in the Bible aren’t real, it happen everyday. So I say the Bible is the perfect guidance for us.
The truth will set you free. The bible is rated R for those who want to live in sin. We have to e like the apostles and walk in boldness and know that the bible is sharper than any two edge sword.
We must all be willing to stand up and state its truths. We can no longer compromise God’s word in our attempts to be politically correct. We must eliminate gray areas and live for that which others died for. The world is looking for truth in LOVE. The truth hurts but the lies kill.
Yes, Pastor sometimes you have been a little blunt but at that time in my life is
exactly what I needed.
I feel that if at that time I didn’t listen to you I would have been lost: not only
my life but to GOD. THANK YOU for being blunt!!!!!
Being blunt…..some say it’s good, some say it’s bad, I say it has it’s time and place. I prefer to hear the truth straight, no sugarcoating, yes it may hurt more but if it hurts then i’ll either make the adjustments or walk away (either way it reveals my heart).
I absolutely agree Pastor, the Word of God is essential to our lives, it’s where we find guidelines, rules and even tips that help us navigate through life.
I believe what we always need to examine is our attitude and our motive when speaking the truth.
Galatians 6:1 says it this way, 1BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also…so, because we are under the control of the Holy Spirit, we should have an ATTITUDE of love, gentleness and humility because our ultimate MOTIVE is to see the person reconciled and restored. I believe we can and must be confrontational and speak the Word unapologeticaly, but with the right attitude and motive.
Nothing will change you except the truth. It goes to the deepest of our soul and transform us into God’s image.
We must allow the truth in the word of God to cause change in us and not reject, just because we want to receive what we want and make justification for the things we don’t want to receive from it.
That’s for real. Good blog, filled wth reality about the most real book ever written.
Sometimes things need to be given to you in that manner because you may not grasp it’s importance any other way. It has to hit you hard sometimes.
I am Hardheaded Also. I pray that I will not take time for
granted and be faithful with my time. Let me begin to pick up the pieces.
I feel you Pastor, I’ve lost a few friends as a result of being honest – I guess they couldn’t HANDLE The TRUTH! I respect people who are honest & upfront because I’d rather you tell me how you really feel, especially if it’s going to help me – than to hold a grudge or talk behind my back but not everyone appreciates that quality in a person. I’ve often prayed for a holy ghost muzzle to place around my mouth.
The bible would very much be a rated r movie, but the movie would have the best teaching and would win many awards. The bible has wrong things/ bad things. But god teaches in it so it isn’t bad. Plus most of the stuff people do isn’t half the things that went on in the bible, we say the bible is rated r then that must mean our lives are rated r++
Yup, look at “The Pasion of The Cross” that’s rated R. But I like your down to earth “real” style it makes the things that you preach alot easier to apply to everday life.