Pastor's Column
We must oppose sin while loving sinners. For example, we must oppose the sin of homosexual practice
while loving the individuals who are engaged in this sinful behavior. In taking a stand against this sinful
behavior we should be prepared to be accused of hating those who practice it. The tactic of accusing critics
of their lifestyle of hate has been widely used by homosexual activists with a great deal of success. Let us
consider how we should deal with this situation.
First, we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated into calling evil good or into simply keeping silent.
What the Bible calls sin we must call sin. Public opinion does not change sin into goodness.
Then we must be careful to maintain a good attitude toward those who falsely accuse us of hating
them because we call their lifestyle sinful. In the heat of battle it is easy to manifest a wrong attitude. But we
must love those who oppose us even if they hate us. We do not wish to harm them, but to help them. Our
Lord tells us to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”-Matt. 5:44 NKJV
Furthermore, we need to be prepared to explain why we believe the homosexual lifestyle is sinful.
For those of us who believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God this should be easy; the Bible very
clearly condemns homosexual sex as sinful in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Notice that
in Leviticus 18:22 male with male sex is called an abomination. And in Romans 1:26-27 homosexual sex
is called “against nature” and “shameful.” We do not call such actions sinful because of hatred for anyone,
but because we are bound by the authority of God’s Word.
We also need to be prepared for the false claim that homosexuality is a birth condition like race
rather than a choice. In spite of the efforts of homosexual activists, no homosexual gene has been proven
to exist. Furthermore, the testimony of many who have come out of this lifestyle to live as heterosexuals
gives evidence that homosexuality is not an unchangeable condition. The fact that some who have come
out of that lifestyle have fallen back into it does not prove that it cannot be overcome any more than the
fact that some reformed drunks fall back into a life of alcohol dependence proves that alcoholism cannot be
overcome. Temptations may be strong, but with God’s help people can escape these destructive lifestyles.
Let us offer hope and encouragement to them.
while loving the individuals who are engaged in this sinful behavior. In taking a stand against this sinful
behavior we should be prepared to be accused of hating those who practice it. The tactic of accusing critics
of their lifestyle of hate has been widely used by homosexual activists with a great deal of success. Let us
consider how we should deal with this situation.
First, we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated into calling evil good or into simply keeping silent.
What the Bible calls sin we must call sin. Public opinion does not change sin into goodness.
Then we must be careful to maintain a good attitude toward those who falsely accuse us of hating
them because we call their lifestyle sinful. In the heat of battle it is easy to manifest a wrong attitude. But we
must love those who oppose us even if they hate us. We do not wish to harm them, but to help them. Our
Lord tells us to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”-Matt. 5:44 NKJV
Furthermore, we need to be prepared to explain why we believe the homosexual lifestyle is sinful.
For those of us who believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God this should be easy; the Bible very
clearly condemns homosexual sex as sinful in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Notice that
in Leviticus 18:22 male with male sex is called an abomination. And in Romans 1:26-27 homosexual sex
is called “against nature” and “shameful.” We do not call such actions sinful because of hatred for anyone,
but because we are bound by the authority of God’s Word.
We also need to be prepared for the false claim that homosexuality is a birth condition like race
rather than a choice. In spite of the efforts of homosexual activists, no homosexual gene has been proven
to exist. Furthermore, the testimony of many who have come out of this lifestyle to live as heterosexuals
gives evidence that homosexuality is not an unchangeable condition. The fact that some who have come
out of that lifestyle have fallen back into it does not prove that it cannot be overcome any more than the
fact that some reformed drunks fall back into a life of alcohol dependence proves that alcoholism cannot be
overcome. Temptations may be strong, but with God’s help people can escape these destructive lifestyles.
Let us offer hope and encouragement to them.
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| Sunday November 16, 2008 |
| WELCOME! New Members & Visitors |
| Bro. Tommy |
| First Baptist Church French Settlement, Louisiana |
| Tommy Shipp, Sr. Pastor Serving First Baptist Church for 31 Years |
| 16735 La Hwy 16 French Settlement, LA 70733 (225) 698-9994 |
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