Recently, I was at a gathering of people. Some people close to me were talking about an event that they had attended. At that event was an individual who they had not seen in awhile. (I’m going to use “he” for the individual although that should not be taken as an indication that “he is a “he.” “He might be a “she.”) The people speaking said that they thought he had never seemed happier. The speculated reason for his happiness was that he was now living a homosexual lifestyle. Several said that although they don’t agree with the lifestyle, he was happy and that was what was important.
Really? Happiness in the flesh is the criterion for determining right and wrong. Think of the ramifications of such humanistic rationalization. An individual is living an adulterous life style. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. An individual is raping others. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. An adult has been having intercourse with young children. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. An individual has been committing murder. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. The conclusion: if something gives an individual happiness, then do it because happiness is what is important.
GOD, the creator of all things, created humans. God, as the creator, knows what is best for HIS creation. GOD has told us through the Bible what behavior is righteous and what behavior is sinful. HE did not do this arbitrarily. HE did not do this to limit our enjoyment. HE did this to lead us to righteousness. HE wants us to be righteous and holy as HE is righteous and holy.
To be with HIM, we must be righteous through JESUS, HIS SON, for GOD does not condone sin.
Some, including some who claim to be Christians, have asserted that JESUS does not condemn homosexuality as a sin. HE does. However, for the sake of argument, let us agree that JESUS does not specifically say that homosexuality is a sin. Does that lack of condemnation give individuals the go ahead to live a homosexual life style?
If JESUS does not condemn homosexuality specifically, then HE also does not condemn rape specifically. Nowhere in the New Testament does it specifically declare “thou shall not rape.” Nowhere does JESUS specifically declare “thou shall not have intercourse with a young child.” Nowhere does JESUS specifically say that “thou, as an adult, shall not have intercourse with your parent.”
The same can be said for all kinds of specific sins. JESUS does not through HIS teachings as given in the Bible give a conclusive list of sins that one should not do. He does not say “thou shall not rob a bank.” He does not say “thou shall not rob a grocery store.” He does not specifically say “thou shall not rob a 7-11.” Yet, under the specificity argument, if HE does not specifically condemn an action as sin, then it is not a sin.
Of course, that argument is rubbish and we know it is. When JESUS condemns stealing, he is condemning all specific types of stealing. When JESUS condemns sexual immorality, we know that he is condemning all specific types of sexual immorality including homosexuality.
“He (JESUS—my addition) went on: ‘What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality (my underline), theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’’” (Mark 7: 20-23)
It is better to be miserable and righteous, than happy and sinful. It is better to be financially poor and righteous, than financially rich and sinful. It is better to be unhealthy and righteous, than healthy and sinful. It is better to be ugly and righteous, than beautiful and sinful.
Righteousness before GOD leads to eternity with GOD; sinfulness before GOD leads to eternal condemnation from GOD. Happiness is transitory. Righteousness is eternal. What an easy choice!!!
Really? Happiness in the flesh is the criterion for determining right and wrong. Think of the ramifications of such humanistic rationalization. An individual is living an adulterous life style. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. An individual is raping others. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. An adult has been having intercourse with young children. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. An individual has been committing murder. However, he has never been happier and that is what is important. The conclusion: if something gives an individual happiness, then do it because happiness is what is important.
GOD, the creator of all things, created humans. God, as the creator, knows what is best for HIS creation. GOD has told us through the Bible what behavior is righteous and what behavior is sinful. HE did not do this arbitrarily. HE did not do this to limit our enjoyment. HE did this to lead us to righteousness. HE wants us to be righteous and holy as HE is righteous and holy.
To be with HIM, we must be righteous through JESUS, HIS SON, for GOD does not condone sin.
Some, including some who claim to be Christians, have asserted that JESUS does not condemn homosexuality as a sin. HE does. However, for the sake of argument, let us agree that JESUS does not specifically say that homosexuality is a sin. Does that lack of condemnation give individuals the go ahead to live a homosexual life style?
If JESUS does not condemn homosexuality specifically, then HE also does not condemn rape specifically. Nowhere in the New Testament does it specifically declare “thou shall not rape.” Nowhere does JESUS specifically declare “thou shall not have intercourse with a young child.” Nowhere does JESUS specifically say that “thou, as an adult, shall not have intercourse with your parent.”
The same can be said for all kinds of specific sins. JESUS does not through HIS teachings as given in the Bible give a conclusive list of sins that one should not do. He does not say “thou shall not rob a bank.” He does not say “thou shall not rob a grocery store.” He does not specifically say “thou shall not rob a 7-11.” Yet, under the specificity argument, if HE does not specifically condemn an action as sin, then it is not a sin.
Of course, that argument is rubbish and we know it is. When JESUS condemns stealing, he is condemning all specific types of stealing. When JESUS condemns sexual immorality, we know that he is condemning all specific types of sexual immorality including homosexuality.
“He (JESUS—my addition) went on: ‘What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality (my underline), theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’’” (Mark 7: 20-23)
It is better to be miserable and righteous, than happy and sinful. It is better to be financially poor and righteous, than financially rich and sinful. It is better to be unhealthy and righteous, than healthy and sinful. It is better to be ugly and righteous, than beautiful and sinful.
Righteousness before GOD leads to eternity with GOD; sinfulness before GOD leads to eternal condemnation from GOD. Happiness is transitory. Righteousness is eternal. What an easy choice!!!
posted by Christian Gunslinger at 12:31 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home