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Romans 1 talks about unrighteousness. Here is scriptural proof of where we should stand on this topic. This is only a few verses from one single chapter in the Bible!
All men are without excuse "because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them..." (vs.19)
"...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God...." (vs. 21)
"Professing to be wise, they became fools..." (vs. 22)
"therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves who exchanged he truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." (vs. 24-25)
"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even the women exchaged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving he natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men commiting what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (vs. 26-27)
"... being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, ...." (vs. 28)
"...knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same BUT ALSO APPROVE OF THOSE WHO PRACTICE THEM." (emphasis mine vs. 32)
Now let's take a look at what Brian Mclaren has to say about where he stands on this topic...
"Frankly, many of us don't know what we should think about homosexuality. We've heard all sides but no position has yet won our confidence so that we can say "it seems good to the Holy Spirit and us." (Read whole article here)
8 comments:
i didn't mind the article. i thought he was being very authentic with struggling to deal with the topic - in the midst of real people and their situations, not just on a theological level.
i liked this line at the end: "Being 'right' isn't enough. We also need to be wise. And loving. And patient. Perhaps nothing short of that should 'seem good to the Holy Spirit and us.' "
no hate mail, please. ;)
"If we think that there may actually be a legitimate context for some homosexual relationships..." was also in the article, and the Bible is very clear on that one!! It is sin...if we believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God then we can call it nothing other than that!
We are called to be salt and light in this world and we cannot compromise where sin is concerned...the whole reason we celebrate Easter!! The Lord Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin and the sins of those He came to save. Can the Lord deliver someone from a life of homosexuality? Yes...just the same as He can deliver someone from the clutches of any sin...He is powerful and Mighty to save! We are truly blessed to have such a Saviour.
It is important to remember that the Lord loved people not because they had it all together, but because He chose them..."While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us..." Romans 5:8...we all fit into that description. We are all the same...sinners saved by Grace!
We are to show the love of the Lord to those who are unconverted that they may know Him and repent...that is required for Salvation...repentance. May the Lord give us all wisdom to be instruments in His hand for His Glory!
Thank you both for your comments. :)
Val -- no hate mail, I promise. Just a broken heart because of the deception that is being promoted through the emergent church and the undermining of God's Word.
2 Tim. 4:2-5 Preach the Word. Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hold fast to the Truth of God's Word...you will NEVER go wrong as you seek Him with an open Bible and a willingness to see what is really there. You are an encouragement to me!
Val, I see where you're coming from. And i am sure that he probably was genuine, however, genuinely incorrect. The Bible is clear on the matter of homosexuality. As quoted originally in Terri's blog Romans 1 is just one place in the Bible it says it's sin. And I do believe that sin is sin... there's no difference between a homosexual and a liar. Both have offended a Holy and Just God.
And his quote of "being right," made it seem like it was our duty to figure out what's right. But the thing is that the things that are True are from God. It's not man's opinion. And that is critical to the Christian life. Cause once we start putting our own opinions into God's Word, we become fools. "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." Proverbs 18:2 Also Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way to death."
So what i think what was the key component to Terri's blog was that we CANNOT comprise the word of God in any way. And by stating that we don't know for sure if homosexuality is wrong, when God's Word is very clear on the subject; should cause us to run for our lives from what is being taught by man, and search the Scriptures to find real Truth. I am seriously heart broken and fearful for you as you have stated that you were okay with what this man is teaching. And it's not because I'm "right" or "wise" cause i'm most definitely not, i am a fool who only knows so little. Yet God has shown us what is true, and what this man is saying is not true. And God tells us to fear men like him. Just as Terri had quoted scripture on in her comment.
I certainly hope and pray that you do not feel attacked by our words, but only the love we have for you. If we didn't love you, we wouldn't tell you. But I do care so deeply about you, even though i don' know you. But you are my sister in Christ and i just pray that you will search out the Scriptures and test to see what is true. Cause in the end, either it's true, or it's not. And if what the Bible says is true, there's too much at stake. I hope this helps and encourages you in your walk with the Lord.
Love in Christ,
Tandra
I appreciate all the comments here. Wow! I only wonder what his response would have been if that couple had asked him about abortion or pornography or stealing or premarital sex. It's about sin. I feel as though we belittle what Christ went through when we ignore sin.
Where do you draw the line between compassion and acceptance?? We most certainly need to be compassionate to those who sin because we also are sinners. However, we need to be clear about sin or we are being deceptive. Of course the church should welcome the parents of these kids who want to become married. Welcoming and accepting are different, though.
We need to guard ourselves. If we continually are around blatant sin and sinful acts we will let our guard down and the sin can draw us in. As a parent I am careful about what my children see, read and whom they associate themselves with. I know that all of these things they take in are what mold and shape them into whom they become. As Christians we need to be careful about how we are molded and shaped. As Camille said "Hold fast to the Truth of God's Word...you will NEVER go wrong as you seek Him with an open Bible and a willingness to see what is really there."
Thanks ladies for an open and honest discussion! I am so glad that we still live in a country that allows the Church to be clear on sin!
John 16 vs 5-16 speak of the Work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is speaking in vs. 7-11: "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me, in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
Terri, I couldn't agree with you more!
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