Standing on the Word of God


In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly  linked with the birthday of the Savior.  The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.
John Quincy Adams

I confess, there was a part of me that was afraid to make a comment about the recent SCOTUS ruling on gay marriage.  My fear of speaking out did not stem from the Gay and Lesbian community and its supporters, my fear came from fellow Christians...

Fear born out of grief and dismay watching fellow Christians rebuke Believers who are standing on the Word of God and it's clear admonition against homosexuality, calling them judgmental - not showing the love of Christ.  

I was then convicted by the Holy Spirit to defend the Word of God...

For whoever is ashamed of Me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in glory of His Father with the holy angels.  
Mark 8:38

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The words I am about to write, I am saying as the "Chief of Sinners".   No person's sin is greater than the other.
For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
Romans 3:23
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Standing on the Word of God

Those who know me well can tell you that I do not like to be accused of a motive that has never even entered into my thoughts, let alone shown itself in my actions.

When I meet someone, anyone, I am loving, kind and respectful, no matter what their sexual orientation.  It would never even enter my mind to treat a gay or lesbian person differently than I would anyone else.  I personally have had people in my life who are gay and lesbian and very much enjoyed spending time with them - just like I would anyone else.  

The same could be said of an acquaintance or friend who has had an adulterous affair.  I will still spend time with them, treating them with love and respect.  

I believe that God's Word is very black and white and not up for interpretation when it comes to admonishing the sin of homosexuality and of adultery.

Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. 
 Leviticus 18:22

Because of this, God gave them over to their shameful lusts.  Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.  Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.  
Romans 1:26-27

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.  
Hebrews 13:4

You shall not commit adultery.
Excodus 20:14

The comparison of  homosexuality and adultery helps to make the point of the Bible's clear, black and white warnings and consequences against both sins.  

Christians and non-Christians alike find adultery to be reprehensible.  Why then is homosexuality now up for interpretation by a growing number of Christians??  Why is the gay marriage narrative among some Christians about accusations of judgmentalness and lack of emulating Christ's love to the gay community rather than leading those who are going astray to the way Everlasting.

Sadly, I am watching many churches rethink their position on gay marriage, some even accepting and approving same-sex marriage.  Compromising the Word of God...

Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches the others to do the same, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:18

This is such a slippery slope.  If churches are not going to call sin sin, what will any of us need a Savior from??  What other compromises will be made from the Word of God.  Will adultery become acceptable??  Will the multitude of my besetting sins be okay in the church's eyes??  

If the modern day church embraces gay marriage, how is that showing the love of Christ? 

For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines.  
Hebrews 12:6



God's church is called to teach the precepts of God through his Holy Word; enacting discipline where necessary.  

THIS is showing the love of Christ.  This is NOT judgmentalness.

We are the hands and feet of the Church.  If we see a friend or loved one in the throws of addiction, adultery or any sinful behavior we reach out to them, hoping to help them in their struggle, leading them TO Christ or BRINGING THEM BACK TO Christ.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should 
restore him in a spirit of gentleness...
Galations 6:1

THIS is showing the love of Christ.  This is NOT judgmentalness.

Essentially, the narrative condemning fellow Christians who are standing on the Word of God concerning the sin of homosexuality is actually a narrative of WITHHOLDING God's love.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.  
Proverbs 23:13

The most loving aspect of parenting is to teach our children right from wrong so that they will avoid painful circumstances that come with disobedience.

The most loving aspect of the Church to it's congregation is to stand on the Word of God, faithfully teaching its precepts, lovingly administering wise counsel and discipline to believers and unbelievers alike who have fallen into sin so that they will either be restored to Christ or avoid eternal life without God.

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:24

By re-interpreting Scripture and accepting and approving sinful behavior in our churches, I shutter to think of what the church will look like in the years to come, as sin becomes taboo to share from the pulpit, leaving those in the congregation who don't know the Lord without knowledge of why they would need a Savior in the first place, and those of us who do know the Lord without conviction to repent of our sinful behaviors.

 A WHOLE New World
Independence Day had a bittersweet meaning for me this year in the shadow of the SCOTUS ruling on gay marriage when the Supreme Court disregarded the will of a majority of Americans and the will of the Lord, moving forward with the White House's own political agenda...  Our Christian nation barely recognizable...

When our founding fathers came to this country, they came to establish a New World where they could serve God Almighty freely.

We have this day [Fourth of July] restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought be be obedient.  He reigns in Heaven, and from the rising to the setting sun, let His Kingdom come.
Samuel Adams

The [Fourth of July] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
John Adams


The general principals on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.  I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.  
John Adams

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Oh, that our Nation would return to the Lord; that our churches would conduct themselves as Holy and Separate, living in the world, but not of the World; that Christ's love would be evident through His people holding fast to the Word of God , unwavering, sharing a Gospel of repentence and believing in Christ's atonement for sins that leads to freedom in Christ and eternal life.


You might find me on these link-ups:
Grace & Truth Link-upWoman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4eLivefree Thursday,Everyday JesusSDG GatheringInspire Me Monday, Titus 2 TuesdayA Wise Women Builds Her HomeA Look at the Book,  Sunday StillnessThe Weekend BrewSpiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me GraceA Little R&RTestimony TuesdayWomen with Intention WednesdaysStill SaturdayGood Morning MondaysTell His StoryBlessings Counter Link-up Party,Faith & Fellowship Blog HopMotivate and Rejuvenate MondaysBe SaltyMonday's MusingsThe Art of Home-Making MondayTuesday TalkWaiting on Wednesday,Dance with Jesus,Looking Up Link-UpReflect His Love & GloryFriend Sharpens FriendWholehearted Wednesdays

Comments

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog at https://aheartforyourhome.wordpress.com/ I wanted to pop over and visit yours as well. Thanks for being an encouragement through your words! Blessings!

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    1. Awe. That's so sweet. I'm glad you came over for a visit! 😊

      Thank you for encouraging me as well. 😊

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  2. Oh, dear friend! You are speaking the truth in love, and that is what God's Word commands. I cannot thank you enough for standing for God's Word. Jesus said if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us before His Father. Can you imagine how that would feel? The passivity of Christians and the church is what landed us where we are as a nation. There is a spirit of apathy that is so thickly prevalent in our nation, it is hard to see any hope up ahead. But, though many are caving to the intimidation, God STILL has an army, who is fully awake, standing firm and solid upon His holy Word, filled with the power of His Holy Spirit, who will not bend or succumb to out and out sin. There are still ministers of God who will stand up and call sin by its real name, realizing that if they don't, God will hold them, the watchmen, fully accountable. I think what we are forgetting is that GOD is sovereign, He is Supreme, and He is soon to send His Son to come for us and call this world into judgment. His Holy Word will prevail, and we will be judged solely by Its unalterable, unedited, forever unchanged and settled in Heaven contents and whether or not we obeyed. God help us all. This is a sifting time, and every man's work will be manifested. We will find out for sure and certain who is really on the Lord's side. Jesus wondered if He would find faith on the earth when He returned. He knew all of this would happen. When He comes, and yes, it WILL be very soon, may He find faith in us, dear friend. Stay firm, stay true to God and His Word, and if you defend His Word, God will defend you. There is no greater defense.

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    1. Very well said Cheryl.

      I am saddened by the response of what seems like more than less Christians who are backing down from what the Word clearly states. You are so right that the apathy in the church thus far has brought this about.

      Thank you for always offering encouragement. 😊

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  3. Yes, your words spoke to my heart, Karen . . . thank you for sharing these words. His Word is truth, and if we do not stand upon it, we will surely fall. I know that this decision has made me realize afresh how important it is to be in continual prayer, especially that the Lord's people would be strengthened through His Word and His Spirit working through it. I am so thankful to see the Lord raising up some of His people to take a strong stand. May He continue to give grace and to help us in these difficult times.

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    1. Amen Bekki.

      It seems as though you are sensing the same thing I am that as you said "some" of His people are standing firm. And yes I am thankful, but disheartened that we seem to be a minority.

      The Lord will preserve His remnant.

      Thank you for offering your heartfelt words.

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  4. NO coincidence we are parked next to one another at Women With Intention today (#56). My post? "Who's Left Standing?" Blessings to you, and, yes, I am standing with you, sister.

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    1. Susan, yes, there are no coincidences with the Lord.

      Thank you for standing firm for the Lord and His Word.

      Thanks for visiting.

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  5. I am next to you at Good Morning Mondays. Your words are a reflection of my own beliefs which I posted shortly after the SCOTUS ruling. My heart is heavy for our nation, but more so, for His church to wake up and stand up for truth.

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    1. Amen Elizabeth.

      Thank your for standing for His Truth.

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  6. Found you on the Looking Up linkup. Love your words! Typed out a big long reply but it vanished when I hit send. I'm traveling and my internet is being difficult. Great to find you. Stand on the Word!

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    1. Awe. How frustrating.

      Thank you for your kind words and for standing with me upon the Word of God.

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  7. Amen, Karen. I always love reading your words - they're full of grace and truth and are always offered with beautiful submission to the Lord and with deep humility and compassion. Thanks for sharing this, my sister.

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    1. Lois, Your kind words have blessed me. Thank you.

      Praising God for His inspiration.

      I'm so glad you visited!

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  8. I know that this must have been a hard post to write but I want to thank you for speaking in love as well as pointing out God's truth through His Word. Everything seems to fall between very fine lines these days and people start to cloud their vision as a result. Visiting you from Blessing Counter today. Happy weekend!

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    1. So glad you shared this at The Weekend Brew.

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    2. Mary,

      It was a difficult post to write, but the Lord guided me through it. Praising Him for his never-failing inspiration.

      Thank you for stopping by! :-)

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  9. I think your post is very well thought out and filled with Truth. I think about often how I am going to help my children navigate the world of sex and relationships, teaching them what God says about sex and marriage and loving people well, believers or not.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words.

      My children are grown, but I have a four month old granddaughter and like yourself I see the challenges of navigating with them the world as it is now.

      But none of this is a surprise to God. He is still Sovereign and still on the throne. Praise God! Praise God!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  10. Karen, we are totally on the same page. My heart is grieved with our world/the ruling but my love for gay and lesbian friends doesn't falter. It just shows the delicate line we are supposed to walk-- but it is solid Truth when we stand on the Word of God.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your heart on the matter Sharita.

      Standing together on the Word and the love of God

      It's always a blessing to have you visit. :-)

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