It is interesting to hear and read of the understanding that many have of the scriptures. What is most notable is the amount of time given to the words of Jesus and the Old Testament and often the principles and the words are taken out of context and misapplied. Such is the case of the ongoing debate about practicing homosexuals not being allowed membership in churches. A member, Mandy Caruso, of a new group that calls on congregations to welcome gays and lesbians thought it horrible that a minister in the United Methodist Church denied membership to a man because he is gay. (Source http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/14691359.htm) A direct quote follows: “What Jesus taught is, you’re supposed to love your neighbor and love God,” Caruso said. “If loving your neighbor means kicking them out of church, that does not express love in my understanding of what love is.”  

The problem with so many is the pick and choose idea of buffet which treats God’s Word as smorgasbord which allows only following what is expedient.  When that occurs, then the totality of teaching becomes worthless. In many churches little teaching can be found that is taken from the letters wherein the principles of living for Christians are found. Either we accept all of what God says or we accept nothing. There is no in between.

Peter addressed the issue of conduct (translated conversation in King James): [1 Pet 1:15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [1 Pet 1:16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  The emphasis in the two verses is be holy in all manner of life as God is holy and the ideal we are to follow with Christ being the leader. Holy means to have no deliberate  uncleanness or wrong conduct of any kind without exception. Throughout the scriptures believers are instructed to throw off the old and put on the new.  Paul also called for holiness of the members: [2 Corinthians 7:1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  

Paul and Peter both contain the essence of God’s love in their teaching. While it is true that God loves all, his love isn’t an anything goes type of love. He definitely has set forth the requirements for holiness and the way to abide in his love through Christ, and it doesn’t include deliberately performing acts of sin that are spoken of in scripture. That is where Mandy Caruso misses the teaching of the scriptures found in the letters about members of Christ’s body behaving in unholy ways. Paul wrote in II Thessalonians the following: [2 Th 3:6] Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. Then: [2 Th 3:14] And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [2 Th 3:15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Paul also wrote the Romans on the subject: Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

God and Christ demand that the members of the body conduct themselves in holiness. When a member doesn’t do so, the teachings are an admonishment to the offender to repent and walk in the light of Christ? Anyone who walks disorderly (meaning undisciplined) after hearing the word is subject to church discipline and is jeopardizing his or her salvation by practicing sin. That is the tough love which God has for all and it is for a reason. It is to effect salvation to all of his human creation whom he loves. [2 Pet 3:9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

© 06-12-2006  DEC

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