When the Bible is not the final authority, what is?
It’s dangerous to allow our own opinions to cancel out what God already spoke;
Can we serve the God of holiness and live a life of immorality?
In a documentary that premiered in Rome, Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples, departing from the position of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and the pope’s predecessors on the issue.
The remarks came amid a portion of a documentary entitled Francesco reflecting on his pastoral care for those who identify as LGBT.
“Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” Pope Francis said in the film, of his approach to pastoral care.
“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,” the pope said.
Many in our society claim that being homosexual and being Christian aren’t mutually exclusive.
Many say the two can co-exist. I believe the Pope’s words send a mixed message. His progressive comments have been challenged by both those inside the Catholic faith and outside of it.
As we have seen for centuries, God’ word doesn’t change, and it doesn’t adapt to culture, it transcends it.
In Matthew 22 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
When society believes that the Bible old fashioned, outdated, and out of touch with our world we will become tolerant of a carnal culture and continue to lose our reverence for a godly lifestyle.
And when it comes to sex, our society has forgotten that it was designed by God to be enjoyed between a husband and a wife in marriage. Any sexual activity outside of that definition is sin that separates from God.
It’s impossible to affirm what God never condones. I believe affirming the sinner in his or her sin — whether the practice of homosexuality or any other sexual sin — can be one of the most harmful mistakes the church makes.
It’s impossible to call good what God never called good, and it’s impossible to call blessed what God never called blessed. Because of the lack of biblical awareness, many churches have conceded to the social pressure and have affirmed homosexual practice — even asserting that it comes with the blessing of God because we are sharing His love.
I get it, as followers of Christ, we should respond with unconditional love to individuals who identify as homosexuals, but we must also remain 100% loyal to God’s word. Doing so seems intolerant, but I believe you can stand for truth and love without judgment.
God warned the Israelites not to follow the ways of the worldly nations. He warned them not to follow their religious practices or sexual sin.
Leviticus 18:22 clearly says, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
We cannot let our personal opinions and feelings erase the words of God stamped upon our hearts – it leads to false doctrine and compromised lifestyles.
In the Bible, the men of Sodom lived driven by unbridled, insatiable desire for pleasure and sexual excess, and exercised no restraint.
This form of sexual practice is not acceptable by God and was forbidden behavior for God’s children.
Leviticus 20:13 – “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”
God was clearly giving humanity a universal prohibition, and it sounds pretty serious to me.
These laws were designed to lead the children of Israel to live consecrated lives and separate themselves from the evil and perverted nations in the new land in which they would be living.
Our temporal fleshly desires will have no value in eternity, and what we do before the eyes of our God matters. God can help and will help anyone struggling with this ungodly desire.
The devil knows how much God loves us,
and that our
voluntary obedience is the greatest form of worship.
Thank you, Gloria! I felt so shocked and disheartened when the pope made this declaration. We ALREADY live in a society that is tolerant of a carnal culture. Gods Word is so clear, not gray. Thank you for being bold for Father
Profound! Thank you for shining light on this.
This is not a time to be silent. Too much is at stake. Heaven and Hell are very real.
Thanks Denise. A generation is watching and listening to those of us who call themselves Christian – they need hope and truth in love…
Thanks so much Gloria for standing-up and being a true “Esther” in such a time as this. God never changes and His words for Sodom and Gomorrah are the same for us today. It is truly sad and disheartening to see our generation accepting these lies as truth and watching our young people considering this to be ” cool”, okay and the new norm.
The pope has been watching to much television and not reading his Bible. No one can turn their back to the Word of God and expect to be with Him here on earth and in heaven. We can love but we have to stand on the truth.
IT IS SAD TO THINK HOW MANY YOUNG PEOPLE GO TO THEIR PRIESTS FOR CONFESSION AND THE PRIEST TELL THEM THEIR LIFESTYLE IS OK
Geneva, I would like to think that isn’t happening, but I suppose it may be. I pray for the eyes of God’s people to be opened – may they feel the need to look to God as their leader.
Ben, I don’t know what the Pope is spending his time doing, but I would say that the word of God is very clear. We are to love without compromising the Truth already given to us in His Word for safe living. God use these striking messages to stir our hearts. May they challenge the church to step out of their comfort zones. Help us realize we are the church who need to be in prayer and action to help reach this generation.
It makes me wonder what I would be believing if I was younger. I know what I believed then. I wasn’t focusing on God. This generation has so much being thrown at them in our digital world. God help us reach them.
Thanks for your comment Denise. I know you are one who has great passion for this generation of believers and non-believers. I love you for that.
May others see our boldness and follow. How will others know if we don’t tell the truth in love. May they sense our passion to Love them and not condemn them. We too have our stories of needing Jesus in profound ways.