On Friday, May 31 President Trump put out a statement celebrating LGBT pride month. As a result, American Family Association president Tim Wildmon had the following to say, “Homosexuality is not something the president should celebrate. It’s unnatural, unhealthy and immoral behavior. We hope he will continue to stand firm against the so-called Equality Act (H.R. 5) and any legislation that threatens religious freedom. Such legislation will use the full force of the federal government to punish Americans who don’t embrace the LGBT political agenda.” (from afa.net)
There is such a drive today to push the LGBTQ (whatever else) lifestyle and agenda. The news media and liberal groups and even the government are all pushing to make this lifestyle “normal.” Based on a US Health and Human Services survey — Based on the 2013 NHIS data, 96.6% of adults identified as straight, 1.6% identified as gay or lesbian, and 0.7% identified as bisexual. The remaining 1.1% of adults identified as ‘‘something else,’’ Yet, it seems that everywhere you look today this lifestyle is being pushed as if the 96% were involved and not the 3%!
You no doubt have read recently of many who talk about Jesus’ stand on the gay lifestyle and marriage. They suppose that the love of Christ trumps everything. Not realizing it was Jesus who spoke of marriage set up by God as between one man and one woman. Yes, it was Jesus who told the adulterous woman in John 5 to “go and sin no more.” Never do we find it acceptable to just continue in a life of sin! It is the Word of God that says – For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. ESV (Romans 1:26-27) The King James says it is “unseemly” and “vile affections” or that which is shameful and disgraceful for mankind. All of this listed in that chapter dealing with the depravity of man! No, this lifestyle is NOT what God intended for man nor what He desires nor will overlook!
What does all this mean for the church? After all, there are some churches what are rejecting the plain teaching of God’s Word and accepting into membership homosexuals and lesbians. There are some churches that are accepting of homosexual marriage and even homosexuals and lesbians in the ministry. Does the church discriminate?
Years ago (over 25) I responded to an article then written by Senator Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio. In the article Sen. Metzenbaum was talking about discrimination of gays and that there should be no tolerance of such in any group in America. I responded to his article by writing him a letter. In that letter I made it plain that churches DO discriminate in membership based upon biblical teachings and moral lifestyle, not just of homosexuals but also of other sexual sins. We freely desire people to attend and hear God’s Word and get saved. BUT when it comes to allowing membership, leadership and the like, we DO discriminate based on God’s Word. The good senator did not respond!
Yet, you can be sure that in the near future this issue and how it relates to churches will continue to be on the forefront. Society is rapidly changing views on many issues today. But the church must stand firm. Either live out the Word of God in our lives, all of it, or close the doors. We do not need half-hearted and half way living Christians. The times call for standing on the Word of God. Pray for those who are in government and in the spotlight of this issue and others as they take a stand for God!
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