Timeless Transcending Truth

By: Steve Huston

Pastors affirming sin instead of attesting to truth, say it isn’t so! But many churches, pastors, and laity are affirming “Gay Christianity” today, making it seem Biblical and acceptable. In an effort to seem loving or due to fear of cultural clashes, pastors are putting “gay Christians” into heaven when they are on their way to hell. God’s people must be bastions of truth, proclaiming freedom in Christ, not prevaricators, stroking the sinner’s conscience, while damning him to hell. This is detestable. What God calls sin is, was, and always will be sin. The church needs to herald both this warning and the truth of a loving and transforming Christ.

“But Steve, times are changing and the church must move along with it to maintain its relevancy.” Yes, times are changing; they always have. But God is immutable; He is neither changing or capricious. How interesting that there are some who, even though they do not submit to God’s way, recognize the absolute and unchanging truth of the Bible.

There’s an elderly man in my church who frequently mentions that in days gone by people in the neighborhood would know who was a Christian and who wasn’t by the way they treated Sunday. There are others, with whom I interact, that do not read their Bibles but are familiar with what the Bible says. They also have definite ideas of what a Christian is and what a Christian would not do. Although they are not qualified judges themselves, they know the absolute truth of God’s Word. They, from days long ago, are familiar with the Bible, its truth, and accept it as an unchanging, universal standard of right and wrong, regardless of whether they follow its precepts or not. Even these “unchurched” scratch their heads, perplexed that the modern church around them accept evolution and abortion, even more so when it comes to gender fluidity, transgenderism, homosexuality, and the ever-increasing confusion of face regarding sex, schools, and the church’s apathy or compliance with cultural demands. Even they, when they hear the term “gay Christianity,” laugh, saying that there is no such thing.

The point being this: God’s Word is clear regarding truth and righteousness; it is also clear regarding sin and deception. Christians are called to preach the Word (both the written Word and Christ, the incarnate Word), even when it isn’t popular and it may hurt to stand. Pastors who are allowing terms like “gay Christianity” are not doing others or themselves any favors. They WILL be held accountable.

Scripture is replete with warnings and exhortations. It details sin and its dangers as well as commands us to be holy because our God is holy. It clearly defines the destination for those who walk in righteousness as well as for those who reject truth, taking the path of the wicked. The One True God is not arbitrary; He is loving and kind, detailing His unchanging standard of holiness and His grace made available to all. Each person will be judged according to their walk and their works according to God’s preset standard.

M.D. Perkins well addresses what passes for “love” in the modern church: “It is not loving to call something good and right that the Bible labels an ‘abomination,’ ‘dishonorable passion,’ or ‘shameless act.’ This goes for any sin, not just homosexuality. Further, if someone says they love God, this is how we measure the validity of that claim (1 John 1:6). Sin separates us from God and is the reason Christ came. But if we reject Christ by declaring ourselves righteous, then there is no sacrifice for us because Christ declared that we must turn away from our sin (Hebrews 10:26-27). We can have no hope of peace with God or life everlasting if we reject the words of Christ: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (Matthew 4:17).” (Dangerous Affirmation, page 90)

We must recognize that, as Christians, we are in the midst of an intense spiritual battle. We must NOT shy away from the heat of today’s present battle where “gay Christianity” is concerned. Just as important, we must recognize that it is the Devil – the Deceiver – who is our enemy, not those poor deceived souls who are still within the reach of a transforming, loving, Saviour. I urge you to take heed to Martin Luther’s warning from long ago: “If I profess with loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except that little point which the world and the Devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”

 At this moment in time, the world, the Devil, and, sadly, “the church” itself is attacking God’s truth regarding gender identity and homosexuality. It’s here the battle rages! What God calls sin will ALWAYS be sin, regardless the organized church’s stance. It’s here, in this evil day, we must stand having done all to stand, complete in God’s armor from head to toe holding tightly our shield of faith.

The truth of Christ is paramount but must be accompanied with the tone of Christ – GRACE. It’s vital that we, with love and grace, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine because, as M.D. Perkins writes, “The warnings of Scripture are there for a reason. If we do not heed them, then we make God our enemy. If we do this, we will have to answer to Him for how we have twisted His clear words to us and led others astray by our dangerous affirmations.” (Dangerous Affirmation, pages 90-91)

In closing, I point you to Paul’s charge to the believer, reminding you of his reason for such a solemn command and the reward which follows for the faithful:

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4:1-8

 

To view this article in your browser, Click Here

For more information, articles and newsletters, please check out our website at https://americandecency.org/

You can support ADA financially by visiting: https://give.cornerstone.cc/americandecency

---