2/13/2013

Same Sex Marriage by ralph jackson (Con't)

Christian Churches and Homosexuality.  The mainstream Christian churches today have not spoken out against the act of homosexuality but in many cases condone it.  The God they are supposed to follow and listen to is silenced.  No longer is the book containing His Word considered of any value on this matter.  Popular human opinion and church traditions are now the standards by which society and the Church follow.  The Bible has been put on the shelf and remains firmly shut.

God's Children.  All men and women are God's children whether they know it or not, or believe it or not.  God created them all and warned them against certain practices, which would not only harm them individually but also collectively as a society and would bring shame upon them and upon their Creator.   

Christ and a Sinful Woman.  When Christ walked upon this earth He gave a particular example to us of what we should do if we follow a path of sin.  Mary Magdalene had been caught in the act of adultery.  When brought before Christ by her accusers, He said, "he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone at her'.  As each mans conscience accused him of sin, he dropped his stone and left the scene.  Christ then said to Mary,  "Women, where are they?  Has no-one condemned you?"  As she looked up those who had dragged her in front of Jesus were gone, so she replied "No-one, Sir."  Jesus then said, "Then neither do I condemn you."  He continued, "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:3

God does not change.  He loves all people (homosexuals included) but he does not condone immoral sexual practices or other sinful acts against His Holy Law.  It is only when a sinner accepts his need of forgiveness and heeds the words of Jesus to Mary Magdalene  "Go now and leave your life of sin" that a sinner becomes sanctified and justified by God.  Paul says to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:11. "And that is what some of you were." But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Before becoming Christians many of the Corinthians were not conscious of their sinfulness.  They lived and acted out their passions as if what they were doing was normal.  When convicted by the words of Paul, many realised they were doing wrong and were baptised, washing away their old life and rising to a new life in Christ.  There past sins were forgiven; they were sanctified (made holy; to be separated from all that is unholy to be a special people for God  to live a new pure sinless life), and justified (making free from the guilt and penalty of sins previously committed against the law of God and to be unconditionally forgiven).

Sinning Against God's Holy Law.  Those who practice or promote homosexuality in the Christian church today may be good people; cause no harm to their neighbour or even be a pillar of their local church; but as long as they continue to practice what God has condemned, they continue to be unwashed, unsanctified and unjustified in the eyes of God.  

Who Will Receive Eternal Life?  In 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul the Apostle says,  "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  He then goes on to say who the wicked are: the sexually immoral (those who have sex out of wedlock and with many partners); idolaters (those who worship images or objects as deity.  This can also mean to put worldly possessions above the needs of others).  Adulterers (sex with another other than the marital partner); homosexuals offenders (committing the sex act with the same sex  male to male or female to female); thieves, greedy people, drunkards, slanderers; and swindlers. (See also 2 Timothy 3)

Starting a New Life in Christ.   When a practicing homosexual becomes a Christian, like all sinners he must be baptised with water to symbolically wash away his past life and rise to a new one in Christ.  He must put to death the old man of sin and live a new life in Christ.  All past practices whether adultery; slander; hatred, homosexuality etc., must be removed from the new life.  To continue in any practice that comes from the flesh and is separate from what God has allowed (i.e. sex within marriage), is a sin and if these sins are held on to, then there is no forgiveness.  "If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and leads a life of sin, then he will be condemned with the wicked and his past righteousness will be forgotten."  Ezekiel 18:26.  God pleads with the wicked, "Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked? No, He says, I am pleased when they turn from their wicked ways and live."  Ezekiel 18:23

Man's Law or God's Law?  The law of God today has been removed from society.  Man's laws, which unlike God's law, changes with time.  God's law remains the same now and forever and it is from this law that the entire human race will finally be judged.  Our God is a jealous God.  He is also a merciful God forever calling sinners to repent and turn away from their sins.  However, if anyone refuses to listen, He cannot interfere with that person's choice.  Therefore to continue practicing sinful deeds in the flesh that are against God's law, will result in God reluctantly letting him or her follow their own wide path to eternal destruction.   

"Flee from sexual immorality your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you whom you have received from God.  You are not your own: you were bought at a price   THEREFORE HONOUR GOD WITH YOUR BODY.    1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Christ gave up His life for you.  If you are a Christian and are continuing in sinful practices that are against the law of God, then He is waiting for you to admit your helplessness to overcome your desires.  He won't let you down.  

Ralph Jackson
August 2012
Further Bible paragraphs on homosexuality:
Gen 19:5; Lev 18:22; 20:13; 1 Cor 6:9; Rom 1:26-27; 1 Tim 1:10
Ralph Jackson
Article Source: http://articles.faithwriters.com/reprint-article-details.php?id=25571