A great debate rages amongst some of the nation’s churches concerning homosexual membership. And those who know the Bible message have to question the knowledge of those who speak to the issue with the belief that homosexual practices are pleasing to God.

In order to be pleasing to God, there are certain requirements that must be met with continued obedience to those requirements. Jesus spoke the words which are the key to meeting the requirements and the changing of life’s direction. He said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3) The word is repent which means to have a change of attitude and heart about and from the old to the new with God. A change in life’s direction as stated above.

A lady, Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, who claims to represent the gospel said, "I am convinced that when gays and lesbians are baptized, they become full members of the body of Christ. They are not partial members or conditional members or second-class members." That is what the Bible tells us, but there is that word repent and she is implying that repentance and a change of behavior aren't needed with that statement. The issue behind those words is that she wants to apply marriage vows to the homosexuals which aren’t part of God’s way. A church member said, "I'm so proud to be a part of this. It's a step that needs to be taken." Senator John Warner Republican, of Virginia, one of Congress' most respected authorities on military matters and a former Navy secretary, said, "I respectfully but strongly disagree with the chairman's view that homosexuality is immoral." She and Warner are proud of denying the gospel and embracing sin.

Paul spoke in the following way: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Paul also wrote: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. He addressed people who at one time were willfully practicing sin; they were now people who had repented, and had been baptized. He said, such were some of you. His words mean that they had a new direction in life and he was reminding them that they were a new creation in Christ; the old had been buried in the waters of baptism and the new life in Christ had emerged from the watery grave.

Sin comes in many forms and does many things to people. They rationalize and make excuses as though God will excuse their conduct or that of others. They attempt to deny truth by saying Jesus loves everyone and God is love. That too is true, but it came with a price. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:6-9) The ungodly are all of those who continue in sin and who remain sinners by not obeying the gospel and living the new life in Christ.

The idea that God will save those who continue in sin is false and those who so teach are liars. Strong words to be sure but now read the following: 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:4) Those who claim that homosexuals can be pleasing to God without changing their behavior are false teachers of the worst kind. No matter what they call themselves, whether reverend, vicar, priest, preacher, teacher, or any other name, the Bible says they lie when they so teach.

Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

 © 03-16-2007 DEC

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