Can you think of something that once repulsed you but now it’s just status quo? Or something that would make your heart break, bring you before the Father in prayer, but now it’s just life, that’s just the way it is, no big deal, it’s the world we live in. We might as well just accept that things aren’t going to change. Is that how you’ve been feeling? Or what you’ve been saying?
God has a set of laws that though set aside in Jesus was not abolished. Preachers who teach that because we’re under grace the law no longer applies, have misunderstood the message of grace. Grace is not a license to sin, rather it’s the ability to overcome sin through the power of Christ. His grace enables us to do things we cannot do in our own strength. Like keeping the law perfectly. That’s why Jesus came to not only keep them but fulfill them. Here’s what Jesus had to say about the law.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-19 NLT
Have you been observing the commercials that are being aired on television lately? Men kissing each other advertising aids drugs. It’s interesting that while promoting homosexual behavior, they lump in information on HIV aids. Children’s cartoons are now laced with transgender characters. What’s happening? They’re running it often enough so that after a while, you’ll just become desensitized. They sneak in nudity in quick scenes on prime time television to produce the same effect.
What used to make us gasp or blush, is now normal. It’s amazing what we will tolerate as entertainment. We have no idea the effect these subtle changes are having on our psyche. Our young children are overstimulated and over exposed to so much. There were times when parents would cover their children’s eyes and ears, but today we have a cavalier nonchalant attitude towards what once shocked or offended us.
You may read Leviticus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, to see the detestable things the Lord condemns and teaches us to avoid. All the things mentioned are being practiced in some way today. But we have shrugged off God’s Word to tolerate and even support what He calls an abomination. The Bible teaches against sexual immortality than any other sin. Why do you suppose that is? Because it’s the one sin that is done inside the body. You join yourself to another. Paul wrote that “All other sins are outside the body.” The laws that are being pushed through today seeks to silence Christians who hold to Biblical Truths. Politicians hungry for votes and power, are seeking to force us to accept their new normal. Will you become desensitized? Will you be afraid or ashamed to hold to what God says is right and reject the worldview of the few? God forbid! That we would compromise with sinners and help them continue on the path of destruction.
Jesus said He did not come to abolish the laws of Moses, or the writings of the prophets, but rather to accomplish their purpose. What was the purpose of the law? To show man their sinfulness, their inability to keep them, and their need of a Savior. Jesus overcame the flesh and the devil, not because He was God, because for thirty three years, He inhabited the same body we have. How did He do it? He remained in close fellowship with His Father. We too have been given everything we need to keep the world from squeezing us into its mold.
These were Paul’s instructions to Titus:
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.”
Titus 2:11-15 NLT
I’m not homophobic, I’m a believer in God’s Word. Silence is not a virtue or an option. As Christians we can only be on one side of the issue of sin. That side is righteousness. After Israel’s sin of idolatry, Moses commanded that those who were on the Lord’s side should separate themselves. This is the hour of our separation. Are we on the Lord’s side? Or are we going to take the path of least resistance? The current administration is asking us to choose between our God given consciences, and their agenda with the so called equality act. Have any of you read this proposed bill? If you’re a child of God you should. I have no problem with all people being treated fairly, I do have a problem with being forced to accept what goes against the Word of God.
We have a responsibility to educate ourselves about what’s going on around us, and line it up against the Word of God to see what is being proposed as beneficial to all. Paul penned these words that we should take heed to.
“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.”
1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT
We may have free wills and free choice, but if you’re a servant of Christ Jesus, you are not free to show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience. His kindness is for one purpose only, to lead us to repentance. Romans 2:4 It’s not so we can pick and choose what to keep or disregard of His commandments. We are responsible for what we support, what we hear and how we choose to respond. Will we deny His message to fit in or keep the peace. Jesus said:
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’”
Matthew 10:34-36 NLT
Jesus was saying that the message He was sent to convey would cause those who stood with Him to experience great persecution, even at the hands of their own family members. This truth that the world opposes, and we must stand for, is going to come at a cost. But those who are desensitized, and who have accepted the status quo, who are willing to be silent so as not to rock the boat, will find that they’re on the wrong side of God’s divine law. God will not alter or change anything that’s written in His Word, and neither should we. We are warned about that in Revelation 22:18-19.
All unrighteousness is sin, but sexual immorality sits at the top, because our bodies were made in His image for His glory and habitation. 1 Corinthians 3:17 Christians who supports same sex marriage and welcomes it in the pulpit are as guilty as those committing the evil. Jesus died for all people, that’s true, but He didn’t die so that we could continue in our sin.
What’s our agenda people of God? What are you prepared to do? What will be your righteous response? Will you remain apathetic? Are you willing to be labeled anything but a child of God, because you stand up for biblical truths? The time for action is now! Choose this day who you will serve! If Jehovah is God serve Him, if government is god serve it. But choose we must, or the choice will be made for us.
Have we become desensitized? Only you can answer that. But the Word of God must not be tampered with, we’re to submit to its authority and influence. We don’t bend it to suit the world’s agendas, the world must bend to its authority.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
April 6, 2021
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