COM Newsletter - August 2022
OH, GLORIOUS VICTORY!
Months ago, we shared in our newsletter the importance of understanding that the victory of Christ can be ours. Being born in the flesh and living an obedient life, we learned that His dependency on His Father and the Holy Spirit allowed Him to overcome every temptation that came to Him. So, the same way and power is available for each one of us. This is incredibly important for our spiritual life because it is the core of the Gospel. But have you understood this truth and yet still struggle with sin? It is something that I have struggled with as well.
There is a valuable ingredient in the equation to live as an overcomer like Christ did, something that has been mentioned before, but I would like to go deeper on this occasion. And I’m talking about FAITH.
We all know about faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” But there is something that prevents us from really having true confidence in Christ. There is a misunderstanding in many Christian circles. We are taught that it is very important to believe in God, and that’s all you need to have for a wonderful spiritual experience. Let me tell you that this is a partial truth, and James explains it to us in a clear way, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19). Let me ask you, are the demons going to be saved because they believe in God? Of course, not… So, what’s the difference between faith and a belief?
Through centuries, God’s people have struggled with it. We can see examples like Israel in the wilderness, when they even saw with their own eyes the marvelous things that God made for them, they still lacked faith.
“Harry, how can you be sure about that?”
Well, in 1 Corinthians 10, the apostle Paul talks about Old Israel’s example and lists the things they did against God’s will. Let’s look at verse 5, “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” Let’s compare this with Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” In other words, most of the people of Israel were not allowed to enter Canaan because of their lack of faith. Yes, it really surprised me when I found this… So, is it possible to believe in God, even to be witnesses of His wonders, and yet lose our salvation? It’s sad to say this, but… yes…
Let me use Christ’s disciples for an example. The disciples kept and accompanied Christ 24 hours a day and 7 days of the week for as much as three and a half years. They listened to Christ’s messages. They saw His miracles. They felt His deep love and mercy towards humanity. And yet, many times in the Gospels we can read that Jesus reprimanded them because of their lack of faith. Here are some examples: Matthew 14:31; Matthew 16:8; Matthew 17:19-20; Mark 4:40; Luke 12:28. Even after Jesus resurrection they had problems with their faith until Jesus came Himself to explain to them what was done for humanity.
But let’s not despair because of what I have said in the last paragraphs.
Let me ask you about Israel’s example. Who of the adult generation were able to cross the Jordan River and go into the land of Canaan? Only Joshua and Caleb. Why? Because they had a real and deep faith in God’s provision (see Numbers 32:11-12). Also, Christ’s disciples understood and recognized their lack of faith and asked Jesus to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). That means all is not lost if we are currently struggling with this issue.
There is a story that happened to Christ and His disciples that even now still impacts my life. Matthew 8:5 and forward says: “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
Remember that a centurion was a Roman officer, and most of them were pagans. But this man came to Jesus, probably because he heard about His miracles and found in Him his unique opportunity to help his servant. Look what he says after: “The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (verses 8 and 9)
Just… Wow! He said, “only speak a word”. Amazing! He understood that Jesus was the One who can remove the real problems of our lives just by His word, just as He created this Earth and the Universe. Look at Jesus’ reaction in verse 10: “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
There are only a few times that we can see Jesus marveled, so if He did, it is because it was a really big thing.
Let me tell you… that’s FAITH!
Knowing God exists and is in Heaven is not enough for our spiritual journey. Faith is real confidence that His promises are True and will be fulfilled in our lives. When God says, “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…” (Jude 24), it is because it is True! He can and will keep us from falling if we allow Him to dwell in us. It’s a deeper experience than just knowing what He did for us in the cross.
It’s important to clarify that we can’t produce faith, only the Holy Spirit can give us real faith because it is one of His fruits (Galatians 5:22-23). And when we allow Him to fill us full of Himself, we can be assured that “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4) If you know the hymn “Faith Is the Victory” take a moment to sing it with all your heart! Because it is True!
So, dear friends, let’s trust that God will work miracles in our lives. He promised, and He will surely do accordingly.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
Disclaimer
The views expressed in the following interview do not necessarily reflect the theological understanding and position of ‘Coming Out’ Ministries. It is nonetheless inspiring. Be blessed.
Q&A
Question: As a Christian, what can I do to help a lesbian friend? Can your book help and how can we encourage her to read it?
Reply: A couple things I tell people to do for their loved ones who are leading sinful lives and who are not open to counsel:
Pray. Pray without ceasing in intercession for them that the Lord will do whatever it takes to get their attention. He cannot force the will, but rather respects the power of choice He has given to each one of His children. But He can bring circumstances around to where the loved one must face eternal realities.
Pray that He will lead someone across their path to whom they will be able to relate and listen.
Pray that He will give you wisdom, discernment, and understanding so that you yourself may be more effective in influencing them for good.
Love them unconditionally, both in word and in action. I truly believe that homosexuals are people who are looking for love in all the wrong places. They need to know that they are loved, even in their sins. Jesus loves the sinner with an infinite love, but He hates the sin. We, too, can demonstrate godly, unconditional love without condoning the sinful lifestyle. “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” (Signs of the Times, August 12, 1908).
Perhaps I can throw in a third point. You must also, in your own life, demonstrate joyful Christianity. You may be the only Bible someone else may ever read. What are they reading in you? We Christians should be the happiest, most joyful, most content people in the world. The Bible tells us “in every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), to “Rejoice in the Lord alway[s]: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
Our loved ones, steeped in lives of self-destruction and degradation, need to see in us something they don’t have that they would really desire—the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. They need to see in us an assurance, stability, a “Rock of Gibraltar,” an unwavering loyalty to Christ and moral principles. This they can not help but respect and admire. Perhaps someday they will desire to have the same in their own lives.
Now you’ve got me going, and I’m on a roll here. Trust in the Lord. God loves your loved ones even more than you do. After all, He gave His only begotten Son for a ransom to “purchase” that loved one back for Himself. In the face of that infinite love, we need to place our trust in Him and place our loved ones into His hands.
Regarding my first book “That Kind Can Never Change… Can They?”, the last chapter is titled, “You, Too, Can Be Made Whole!” This chapter is a step-by-step process I believe the Lord led me through in order to give me victory at last and to sustain me in that victory. I enumerated these steps and expounded upon them, because the Lord was successful in using them with me.
Yes, I do believe the book could be very helpful in reaching your friend. That’s why I wrote it. To successfully share it, you should first read it yourself. Then you will know what you are offering her, and you will be able to introduce it better having read it yourself. If it is a blessing to you, introduce it that way. “I have come across the most amazing book! I started reading this man's story and couldn’t put it down! You’ve just got to check this out!” (Actually, this is the feedback I get from some people. So that’s not too far-fetched of a suggestion.)
All power to you as you continue to reach out to the wayward.
Victor
Q&A text taken from:
Author: “Victor J. Adamson”
(Ron Woolsey)
TESTIMONY
Being born in a Christian home isn’t a warranty that our life will be perfect, and I know some of you know this.
Growing up in a family where it supposed to provide a healthy environment impacted my life from a very young age. My dad left the church when I was 4 years old and the domestic violence between my parents, my now alcoholic dad and the lack of right counseling I got from them made me make, when I was around 10 years old, the hard decision to say within me “I don’t want, and I promise not to be like my parents”. I really wanted to be different and didn’t want to copy the wrong behavior. That kept me emotionally detached from my parents from a long time.
As I didn’t exactly know how to make good decisions in some areas, I remember one break time in the school when I was 12 years old that my classmates started to talk about pornography and masturbation. That just blew my mind. It was gross to listen, but “curiosity killed the cat” (like the Latin American phrase). From that year I became a masturbation addict and a pornography viewer (when I had the chance to, because at that time there was no internet access like today’s).
I grew up believing this was a normal men’s issue and I just let it happen. Many boys at my age talked about it and my church didn’t talk about this, and so, probably the most part of Christian churches didn’t either.
As a teenager there was a desire that was growing up in my mind, I wanted to know how it feels to have sex, but with the few information I got from church, I knew God wanted us to keep virgin until marriage. So, even with the desire within me, I wanted to do it with my future wife.
At 17 years old and still addicted, after some pressure from some leaders of my church, I was baptized. I knew there was something not right on my addiction (I didn’t even know it was an addiction), but I kept thinking, “well, what can I do? This is supposed to be natural for a young man like me” and kept believing in the ‘scientific studies’ from the news.
At 19, I was tired of church, I really wanted to know what the world could provide for me, and I left. Having a new job, getting money by my own I could buy my first modern cellphone, with internet. Wow! Open access to all sexual material that was difficult for me to get before. My addiction just grew even more.
Attending bars and concerts, and getting alcohol, I met a group of ‘friends’ who were DJs. That let me get into the clubbing culture and there was a new desire, I wanted to be an electronic DJ and producer, I wanted to be popular and get recognition internationally. I knew I could do it, but God had different plans for me.
I remember my desire to visit my friends from church, I missed them and so I attended to my church just for that purpose. When I got in, I sat with them and listened to the sermon. I think every word spoken was right for me and I analyzed the way I was living my life. “God, if I don’t leave the world right now, I will never come back.” I knew God was calling me and I returned home.
Even returning to church, I knew that my addiction was not right from a Christian view, but I kept in some way believing in ‘science’ and still indulging. It was not until I met new Christian friends (I left my local church friends because I felt my spiritual life was not growing while being part of their activities) who had a deep desire to follow God’s will in their imperfect lives that I understood that I was living a lie and that God doesn’t want me to indulge in my addiction. I learned about justification by faith, and I could understand a bit that God was able to give us victory, but as I shared on the inspirational thought, I knew God could do it, but I didn’t walk by faith. Anyways, that led me to pray to God and asked Him to give me victory, but nothing happened.
After climbing positions in my local church, I met this girl with whom I really wanted to commit my life to her and God. Sadly, I didn’t pursue God in my relationship, and both fell into a sexual relationship. I was devastated, I wanted to get married pure (physically, because honestly my mind was very impure), but I thought “well, anyways she is going to be my wife, so there isn’t a big problem.” But after some issues, we broke up and right after that I felt the great need to confess my sins and ask for forgiveness with her by my side. We prayed together and I believe God forgave because I really opened my heart to Him.
Do you remember my dad left the church? At that time, when I was 25 years old, he started to attend regularly and surprisingly after a year he asked me to baptize him. I was shocked but accepted. I knew it was a great responsibility before God. So, I went before Him in prayer and said, “God, I know this is a huge responsibility and you know that my life is a mess. But please, as I have seen my dad changing his life, please give me that strength to change mine. Do whatever you need to do in me.” And my life started to change.
Months later, I had the opportunity to bring ‘Coming Out’ Ministries with GYC Costa Rica to our country and had a great event in a Christian high school. I thought gays couldn’t change, but when I saw their testimonies, God made me stronger.
But I must tell you, that the beautiful rescue God did with my life, didn’t last more than a year. I embraced a wrong idea that I would never fall again on that issue, but Satan ambushed me and fell again.
What a sad moment for me and my loved ones. I could not believe it.
One of my dearest spiritual friends came to me and shared a phrase “yesterday’s victory is useless for today and today´s victory is useless for tomorrow. It must be a daily surrender to God.” That was the time I completely understand it all. Proverbs 24:16 says,
“For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.”
Oh, precious God! Even without deserving His mercy, He extended His hand willingly to save me again!
Has it been a difficult journey? Yes, it has. But I have learned a lot… When I read about centurion’s faith in Matthew 8, I learned that in time of temptation God can say the word when I ask Him in faith to provide the victory.
Jesus was tempted in all points, through His entire earthly life, yet without sin! (Hebrews 4:15). That means we will be tempted until our life ends or until God bring us to Heaven. But He made a way for us to be overcomers because He promised that “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
So, if He says so, it’s because is TRUE!
Walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
-Harrison Umaña-
SPECIAL MESSAGE
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