Editorial

JAMES E. COSSEY

EDITOR IN CHIEF

OMEONE WHOM I KNEW—a prac- ticing homosexual—recently died. While strongly disagreeing with his lifestyle, I wanted him to be treated with dignity as a fellow human being. Crude humor and demeaning labels for his lifestyle were offensive to me. Every homosexual man is someone’s son; every lesbian is somebody’s daughter. Christians should remember this and refrain from using derogatory terms.

IN DEFENSE OF TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

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such were [past tense] some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 11 NKJV, emphasis mine). The union of a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25) and human procreation (1:28) have been God’s ordained plan since the beginning. For this reason, the posi- tion of the Church of God is, “Marriage is ordained of God and is a spiritual union

On the other hand, believers must speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). The Bible says homosexual practice is sin. In the Old Testament, it was called an abomination and was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:13). In the New Testament, Paul says that homosexuals “dishonor their bodies” (Romans 1:24 NKJV) and commit “indecent acts” (v. 27 NASB). The Lord “gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper” because of their refusal to acknowledge Him (v. 28 NASB). Stopping short of the Old Testament call for execution, Paul makes it clear that those who practice this depravity are “worthy of death” (v. 32). Paul also includes those who are greedy, gossips, slanderers, envious, and disobedient to parents as deserving death (vv. 29-30). In fact, all sinners are worthy of death (6:23). Jesus died on the cross so that, by His grace, sinners can cease from a lifestyle of habitual sin (1 John 3:9) and have eternal life (John 3:16). Just as a converted adulterer ceases to commit adultery, the converted homosexual ceases to practice homosexuality, because forni- cators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, and all other practicing sinners cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor- inthians 6:9-10). The good news is, “And

“WE MUST BE CAREFUL THAT THE TITLE ‘HATE MONGER’ IS NOT ONE WE DESERVE. WE ARE BLESSED THROUGH PERSECUTION WHEN WE ARE ACCUSED ‘FALSELY’ FOR CHRIST’S SAKE (MATTHEW 5:11). THIS CULTURE WAR IS AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, NOT PERSONALITIES; AGAINST PHILOSOPHIES AND PERSUASIONS, NOT AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE.”

in which a man and a woman [emphasis

mine] are joined by God to live together as one (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7)” (Church of

God Practical Commitments).

Recently, a large mainline denomina- tion removed its ban on gay clergy, and approved the blessing of “same-sex unions.” Almost simultaneously, America’s largest teachers’ union—representing those who are charged with educating our children— although shying away from use of the term “homosexual marriage,” made it abundantly clear that it makes no distinction between heterosexual marriage and same-sex unions. Today’s church must love sinners while challenging them to turn to Christ and cease their sinful practices. Yet popular cul-

For the sake of our families and our culture, we must stay abreast of current trends and address the issues as critical thinkers. We must be more than opinion- ated, we must be informed. Most of all, we must at all times walk the walk of a Bible- believing Christian.

Finally, we must be careful that the title “hate monger” is not one we deserve. We are blessed through persecution when we are accused “falsely” for Christ’s sake (Matthew 5:11). This culture war is against principalities, not personalities; against phi- losophies and persuasions, not against other people. The way to reach lost people (regardless of what holds them in sin) is not castigation and condemnation, but a demonstration of the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

EVANGEL • JUNE 2010 3

ture would brand us “hate mongers” and “homophobic.” Not true! For example, the Church has always taught against drunk- enness (Ephesians 5:18), but has sought to lead drunkards to Christ to be delivered and rehabilitated. Are we “drunkaphobic”? The Church has taught against premari- tal sex (Hebrews 13:4), while leading the unwed mother back into a state of grace and forgiveness. Are we “fornaphobic”? The Church has taught against adultery, yet sought to restore those who have bro- ken their marriage vows (see John 8:11). Are we “adulteraphobic”? How absurd! Sexual activity outside of biblical mar- riage strikes at the family, the fabric of society. In the love of Christ, the Church must declare the uncompromised gospel, emphasizing its power to save and to trans- form lives (Romans 1:16; 12:1-2). Popular culture has impregnated this generation with outright lies, but the truth sets people free (John 8:32). Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33