Early this past Sunday morning, I saw a very tragic headline, “50 Killed in a Florida Nightclub Terror Attack.” I read the article and immediately thought “wow, there are some that are saying they got what they deserved,” simply because the shooting took place at a gay nightclub. Many think these distasteful thoughts, even if they don’t express them publically and they couldn’t be more untrue. My thoughts then turned towards what God thought, which was He cares for them too.
I shared the following under the facebook post:
Someone would say they deserved it, God is saying I loved them too. 😢🙏🏽
“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.”
Ezekiel 18:23 NLT
In between preparing for Sunday morning service, I noticed several notifications on my phone in response to my comment. One, in particular, focused on my use of the word them. The feedback opened with “them?” followed by a petition to just pray for the “innocent.”
This was interesting. The use of the word innocent opened up an entire realm of thoughts for me.
How does God see any of us? Are any of us innocent or guilty?
Scriptures began to flood my mind. I thought, even on my best day, my righteousness is like a dirty menstrual rag (1). Truth be told God sees us all as guilty, there is not even one that’s just, i.e. innocent (2).
Pointing Fingers.
God doesn’t rate our sin on a scale from least to greatest. People hierarchy sin. Sure the scripture addresses certain things as an abomination but that just means it’s repulsive to God and I’d like to ask what sin isn’t to Him? Furthermore, lying is an abomination; pride and causing divisions also fall under this umbrella (3). If that doesn’t cover your deeds, having a “froward heart” does, because each of us at some point, have turned away from God and to their own way (4). No matter the path we take or what we engage in, sin separates us from God and causes spiritual death (5).
Flickr/Uno Brick
This doesn’t please God. We have been designed to have a relationship with Him, but sin like a dam in a river stops the full flow of what He personally desires to give us. God is good to all of us, no matter our behavior, however, those that accept His plans unblock the dam to receive full access to Him and the full life He so desperately wants to give us (6).
Imputed Righteousness.
How is this guilt removed and how do we become innocent?
Faith. We are justified [made guiltless, innocent & righteous] through faith in Jesus Christ (7). Why Jesus? Jesus Christ, the son of God, the Anointed One, God in the flesh, is the only one without sin and truly innocent (8). It was foretold throughout the Old Testament that He would save humanity, Isaiah said He would make many to be righteous by bearing [essentialy taking ownership of] their iniquities [sins] (9).
By simply believing, Jesus imputes [gives us] His innocence and makes us guiltless. God looks down at us and sees the blood of His son, the blood of Jesus which speaks better than that of Abel (10).
You have the choice to accept this truth or not.
If you don’t believe this, God still loves you and isn’t waiting for an opportunity to destroy you. As long as you have breath in your body, God is looking for an opportunity to talk to you. What Jesus did isn’t just limited to the church, His sacrifice was for the entire world, this even includes those that don’t believe.
He is God’s way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world.
If you do believe this, recognize that without Christ, God would see you as guilty. Then, let this encourage you to speak from the mercy seat and not the judgment seat.
But go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Prayers up for the victims, the assailant(s), the LGBT community & families involved in this terrible display of hate in Orlando, FL. This was not an act of God.
[1] Isaiah 64:6
[2] Romans 3:10 [3] Proverbs 6:16-19 [4] Proverbs 11:20, Isaiah 53:6 [5] Romans 6:23 [6] Psalm 145:9, John 10:10 [7] Romans 5:1 [8] 2 Corinthians 5:21 [9] Isaiah 53:11 [10] Hebrews 12:24Featured Image Photo Credit: Flickr/StarSaberSlash
5 Comments
Fe · at
This was beautiful. I hope it encourages those with hate to focus on unblocking their own dam, removing their own planks and beams and letting love fill those holes remaining.
Bishop Rainey Matthews · at
I completely agree with you Prophet Sophia! You are so real and Bold! God did not attack these people! Satan did! Those of us in the Gospel Ministry need to stop being hypocrites and admit that homosexuality is not a greater sin thank that of a whore monger! Salvation is for everyone. I personally know Pastors who teaches condemnation on homosexuals from the Pulpit and sleep with the same sex in private! If anyone is hell bound, it is the hypocrite.
the smoking prophet · at
@Bishop Rainey Matthews, Prophet Sophia Ruffin created some really great dialogue on Periscope and Facebook surrounding this topic. I am grateful that she would use her platform to share this post! Please see her work via http://www.sophiaruffin.com or Facebook: Sophia Ruffin
Thank you for sharing!
Kimberly G. · at
Wow this was awesome! You did a wonderful job of speaking life into the situation. I love you so much and I’m thankful that we connected through technology! You have encouraged me to press on! Everything I’ve read that you have written on your site has BLESSED ME! CONFIRMED GOD’S WORD! AND IS CONTINUALLY LIBERATING ME TO COME OUT MY COMFORT ZONE! Not to take away from the premise of this disgusting tragedy but I feel in my spirit that I must say that you are A MIGHTY WARRIOR FOR GOD’S KINGDOM! Lets join in continual prayer for world peace my sister and I stand in agreement with you! Love is THE ONLY ANSWER TO HATE! Have a great dominion day! ♡☆♡☆
the smoking prophet · at
@Kimberly G. well said. I’m happy to have connected with you too! LOVE IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO HATE! I love this statement and Romans 12:21b backs it up, encouraging us to overcome evil [which includes hate] with good [which includes love]! Blessings and I pray you have a great dominion day too! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, I sincerely appreciate you.