Sliding Into Sodom
An article in Newsmax today discusses a panel recommendation to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to soften it`s stance against homosexual behavior by clergy and church leaders. Read it here: http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/1/13/155845.shtml. The Christian Churches are slowly sliding into Sodom, and no one should be surprised when these Churches wither on the vine.
There are issues which can be compromised, and there are issues which are set in stone; homosexuality is one of the issues set in stone for a Christian Church. The Bible refers to homosexuality as an abomination. In Romans, Paul writes ``Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen: For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.`` (ROM1:24-29). That recompence is grave indeed; it is final damnation! It is clear that homosexual behavior (as opposed to latent homosexuality) is roundly condemned and unacceptable.
The liberals in the churches argue that Christ`s sacrifice frees us from sin, and so we can forgive sins of the flesh. True, provided the sinner repents. This is where the libs put the cart before the horse; they want to excuse the sin, and allow the sinner to continue on merrily in his abominations. That is not what forgiveness is all about. (Please note that Paul was a New Testament writer; he is writing from a position of Grace and not Old Testament Law.) The Church is commanded to cut off the obstinate, unrepentent sinner, lest he corrupt the righteous. If the Evangelical Lutherans decide to excuse this they will have failed in their commission, and will reap the punishment set down in the Book of Revelation: ``Behold, I will cast her (the Church of Thy-a-ti`ra) into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts.``(REV2: 22-24).
It is easy to excuse Sin. That is the cowards way out. Love sometimes requires us to do some very hard things; any parent who loves their children understands this. Holding a sinner accountable for unrepentend sin is the loving way. Turning your head to clear sin is a moral evil which will be recompensed accordingly.
Neville Chamberlain has rightly been blamed for the rise of Hitler. He wanted peace at any price, and was unwilling to fight evil, prefering to excuse it. The Evangelical Lutherans had better take a page from history.
There are issues which can be compromised, and there are issues which are set in stone; homosexuality is one of the issues set in stone for a Christian Church. The Bible refers to homosexuality as an abomination. In Romans, Paul writes ``Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen: For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.`` (ROM1:24-29). That recompence is grave indeed; it is final damnation! It is clear that homosexual behavior (as opposed to latent homosexuality) is roundly condemned and unacceptable.
The liberals in the churches argue that Christ`s sacrifice frees us from sin, and so we can forgive sins of the flesh. True, provided the sinner repents. This is where the libs put the cart before the horse; they want to excuse the sin, and allow the sinner to continue on merrily in his abominations. That is not what forgiveness is all about. (Please note that Paul was a New Testament writer; he is writing from a position of Grace and not Old Testament Law.) The Church is commanded to cut off the obstinate, unrepentent sinner, lest he corrupt the righteous. If the Evangelical Lutherans decide to excuse this they will have failed in their commission, and will reap the punishment set down in the Book of Revelation: ``Behold, I will cast her (the Church of Thy-a-ti`ra) into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts.``(REV2: 22-24).
It is easy to excuse Sin. That is the cowards way out. Love sometimes requires us to do some very hard things; any parent who loves their children understands this. Holding a sinner accountable for unrepentend sin is the loving way. Turning your head to clear sin is a moral evil which will be recompensed accordingly.
Neville Chamberlain has rightly been blamed for the rise of Hitler. He wanted peace at any price, and was unwilling to fight evil, prefering to excuse it. The Evangelical Lutherans had better take a page from history.
posted by Timothy Birdnow | 7:45 AM
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