“’For Christians, every day we're called to a life of biblical self-denial,’ [Alan Chambers] says. ‘We take up our cross and follow Christ, and we deny what comes naturally.’ But he says denial isn't without reward: ‘Those who reject the concept of self-denial haven't reaped the joys that come with it.’
“Self-denial isn't a new concept to Chambers. The 39-year-old president of Exodus International—a Christian ministry that helps people struggling with homosexuality—grew up in a Christian home but embraced homosexuality as a teenager. But through years of an active gay lifestyle, Chambers couldn't shake the biblical conviction that what came naturally to him was also sinful. He didn't want to be gay[1].”
Whether you call yourself a Christian or merely a “good citizen” with moral standards and codes of ethics, you choose to deny yourself every day. You deny yourself the the wish for those luxuriously supple leather shoes because you cannot afford them and you will not steal. You deny yourself the temptation to eat the last slice of double-layered chocolate fudge cake because you know your daughter will want a piece when she gets home. You avoid those friends with wrong influences, refrain from illegal drugs, and don’t pull a gun on the woman who cut in line—all because you believe in right and wrong to some extent or another.
And whether you like to admit it or not, your moral code is inextricably based on God’s moral code—His standard of absolute right and wrong laid out in Scripture and imprinted upon our conscience (see Exodus 20). For denying ourselves is not evil—it is good, and something which everyone but sociopaths and psychotics have come to terms with in one way or another. Christians, however, are called to habitually deny themselves, not because they believe themselves to be good, but because they recognize their own sin natures and rely upon the strength of God to live blameless and harmless in the world.
Although there are many moral battles for this generation, the truly current moral battle is that of homosexuality. 2011 was the first year that a majority (53%) of Americans stated that they believed homosexual marriage should be recognized by law[2]. 56% of Americans now believe that homosexuality is morally acceptable, a number which has steadily grown since the 2001 number of 40%[3]. On our watch, we have played the audience to the runaway success of homosexuality, debuting as "morality" and receiving widespread acclaim from critics.
Homosexuality, however, is morally wrong. God, through His Word, has declared it to be such. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-10)." Homosexuals are not created differently and then unjustly turned on their head by a god who has a personal vendetta against their orientation. No, they are created in the image and likeness of God, just as I am, and they are born with a virulent sin nature, just as I am. They must deny their sin nature each and every day, just as I must, and they should be treated with the same compassion and support as I am by those who keep me accountable. Homosexuality is no different than theft, addiction, libel, bribes, or adultery--except that many of these sins are still deemed immoral and illegal by those around us.
If you are a Christian, then recognize God’s Word for what it says, and hold up that standard of Truth with love and mercy. Defend morality against the onslaught of media, politics, and liberal churches. Do not base your definition of morality upon the whims of culture, but upon the unchanging and infallible God of the universe. Stand upon God’s Word and act now: for future generations. 2012 is a year of crisis, a determining factor in this millenial battle of good versus evil. Furthermore, if you live inWashington State
If you are a Christian, then recognize God’s Word for what it says, and hold up that standard of Truth with love and mercy. Defend morality against the onslaught of media, politics, and liberal churches. Do not base your definition of morality upon the whims of culture, but upon the unchanging and infallible God of the universe. Stand upon God’s Word and act now: for future generations. 2012 is a year of crisis, a determining factor in this millenial battle of good versus evil. Furthermore, if you live in
A bill (Senate Bill 6239 and House Bill 2516) is making its way to the House and Senate floors which would cause “Washington [to] join New York , Connecticut , Iowa , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Vermont and the District of Columbia
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| People line up outside an overflow room for a Senate committee hearing on SB6239 that would legalize same-sex marriage, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) |
One of the variations of the bill being considered would even require couples (whether straight or gay) to take each other as "spouses" instead of as "man and wife" in marriage[5]. The bill would also add a discrimination section to the Washington Marriage Code, raising the potential for future litigation of “discriminators”[6].
The liberal sponser of the bill, Rep. Jamie Pederson, D-Seattle was exhorting his supporters, but what he said has much relevance to the Christians as well: "I want to re-emphasize that we fully expect that this issue is going to end up on the ballot. People should not be complacent [7].”
Photo Credit: Chris Moncus. Used by permission.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Dean, Jamie. "2011 Daniel of the Year: Alan Chambers: Change We Can Believe In." World 17 Dec. 2011. http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18908.
[2] Newport, Frank. "For First Time, Majority of Americans Favor Legal Gay Marriage: Republicans and Older Americans Remain Opposed." Gallup
[3] Jones, Jeffrey M. "Support for Legal Gay Relations Hits New High." Gallup
[4] Corte, Rachel La. "Washington
[5] Faust, Rebecca. "Family Policy Institute of Washington - Washington Washington Washington
[6] Fuiten, Joe. "Pastors, Are You Ready for a Gay Wedding in Your Sanctuary?" Family Policy Institute of Washington Washington
[7] Corte, Rachel La. "Washington
[7] Corte, Rachel La. "
I find this statement to be oh so true in our society..."Do not base your definition of morality upon the whims of culture, but upon the unchanging and infallible God of the universe."
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful and meaningful post...thank you for keeping your readers informed.
Brandy, this is such a volatile issue in our time. Thanks for your support and encouragement, and for standing with countless other Christians in defense of Biblical morality!
ReplyDeleteThough I feel somewhat out of the loop for all that is happening in my home country, I have sensed from afar how strongly the issue of homosexuality is being pushed to the forefront on so many fronts - politics, media, education, etc. Thank you for writing this important post, and for calling the kettle "black."
ReplyDeleteThis is so prominent an issue in our world, and we can not just turn away and pretend it isn't happening. Thank you for addressing this!
ReplyDeleteRuthie--You would not believe it. One cannot forget the issue, even if one wanted to, and I believe the majority of the success the homosexual movement has enjoyed is due to the brainwashing of the entertainment industry.
ReplyDeleteElyse--So true, and you're welcome!
Gay marriage was legalized in my home country almost a decade ago...and nothing changed. People of all faiths still worship the way they want to, straight people still marry as much as they did before legalization, and many, many families now have legal protection that allows them to live better lives. There have been literally no negative consequences. You can still disapprove of it, you can refuse to engage in such activity (such as officiating a same-sex wedding). Your rights are exactly the same after legalization- but those of others have been expanded to be equal under the law.
ReplyDeleteYour beliefs are precious to you, and you have every right to follow them- but they cannot dictate the rights of others who don't subscribe to them. I am proud to live in a country that is grown-up enough to accept that even the will of the majority is not just cause for discrimination, and that one religion cannot limit the rights of everyone.
I will pray FOR the legalization of same-sex marriage, because I recognize that I cannot impose my faith on others.
The Canuck--Thank you for the time you took to comment. As I stated in my article, this bill does add a discrimination section to the Washington Marriage Code, something which has never before existed. The next step after the legalization of homosexual marriage is to follow Canada's lead and criminalize those whose personal faith causes them to conscientiously object to marrying or supporting homosexual marriages.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as I showed by statistics in my article, my beliefs are no longer the majority, so the fact that all states have not legalized homosexual marriage is not due to the will of the majority.