It Is Our Experience Of The Veracity Of The Truth The Moves Us Forward In Our Spiritual Progress

Woe to him who covets evil

gain for his house, that he

may set his nest on high.

that he may be delivered

from power of disaster!

You give shameful counsel 

to your house, cutting off

many peoples, and sin against

your soul.

Habakkuk 2:9-10

     This stern pronouncement was not intended for the pagans; rather it was for the Israelites who did not teach the truth. This they did so that they may gain, to set themselves on high; to be powerful agents teaching the false to be truth. Nothing is new, for today we have those who claim to be Christian, leaders of Churches, pastors who teach and live as secular people, in homes worth millions, cars that only the rich can afford, and have come to believe that they are doing God's work. What a shame, and it is no wonder why Christianity is looked down upon, a thing to be shunned fearing that they too would be duped. Those who sit under such teaching are led to be cultural Christians and to accept that which God has condemned. The Scriptures are clear and cannot be misunderstood as some would have their flocks believe; that homosexuality is OK! God makes this so clear that to not follow His teaching on this matter brings disgrace upon the veracity of God's truth: "You shall not lie with a make as with a woman. It is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). Lust has defiled man since the fall of Adam, for it was a sin when the institution of marriage was disgraced, but there are those Churches, those that have many people attending their services who think that they are hearing the truth and believe that the love that Christians are to show to the world extends to those that God condemns, and this violently: "Do not defile with any of these things; for by all these nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you" (Leviticus 18:24). God's law in its entirety is to be kept. Why? Because God is God and His commandments are to be kept for by those commandments men can live well and have the blessings of God: "Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 18:30). Is this clear enough for you? How can anyone expect God to bless them when they do not follow His law? One can do good and receive good things in return, but to call them blessing from God is only to make God agree with sin and to set aside His commandments. What blasphemy! "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2). Are you walking in the counsel of the ungodly or standing in the paths of sinners? If so, leave, go to those that teach the truth of God's word for it is God to whom we please and not ourselves. The New Testament reaffirms this law of God: "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for on another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due" (Romans 1:24-27). God will judge this sin: "But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?.... But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who 'will render to each one according to his deeds,'" (Romans 2:2-3,5). I will take another Church that claims to follow the Law of God:

Churches of Christ

Except for the Bible, there is no universal belief, creed, or confession of faith among the various independent Churches of Christ. Congregations of the Church of Christ, each individually led by local elders or pastors, set policy for their own individual congregations. Members believe they become a part of the Church of Christ when they are added by God as believing, confessing, repentant persons immersed in water (Baptism) for the forgiveness of sins. A confession of faith precedes baptism but does not include a declaration or denunciation of homosexuality. Most persons within the international fellowship of autonomous congregations would likely believe that homosexual activity is incompatible with living a faithful Christian life. Positions taken by Churches of Christ, through various church related publications and from church affiliated colleges and Universities, are almost unanimous in their opposition to homosexuality in any form. No congregations that condone homosexuality are known to exist; however, views on the issues of homosexuality and same-sex marriage among individual members range widely from very conservative to progressive. In 2007, several Church of Christ ministers and historians at Pepperdine University along with an organization called Soulforce openly questioned and criticized the seemingly prevailing views of the majority against homosexuality and same-sex marriage. (http://www.soulforce.org/article/1223). Marriage is not believed to be a sacrament of the church, and members are not required to be married "in the church", though the practice is common.

Many Churches of Christ are beginning to address this issue with an open and compassionate approach. Several universities associated with the fellowship have held forums and conferences to address the issue and to open up discussion on the approach Christians should take toward homosexuality.

Openly gay and lesbian persons will find it difficult to find a congregation willing to include them in church life if they are unrepentant of what the church considers an ungodly lifestyle. Even openly gay baptized believers who are celibate, though unwilling to change their beliefs concerning homosexuality, may find it difficult to be accepted. The "disfellowshipping" of gay and lesbian persons from congregations is not unheard of. However, many urban and even small-town congregations are actively opening dialog with and seeking to minister to the gay population in their locales.

Transgendered and Inter-sex issues have not been widely discussed or addressed.

The United Church of Christ has made a statement encouraging its churches to be "open and affirming" for LGBT people, but is not affiliated with the restoration movement that Churches of Christ are known for.
      Cultural Christians(?) do not follow the law of God, for they think that they are being like Jesus when they accept all forms of the culture. This is not Authentic Biblical Faith, it is what God has condemned and for us to allow this to exist within Churches that claim to be Christian, or not to openly speak against such practices makes us implicit in the wrong. The Reformation came about to remove the false teaching of the Roman Catholic Church: they were not afraid, even unto death to speak the truth. Are you? Am I? This is to make the change within a person from the inside out!


Be sober, be vigilant; because
     your adversary the devil
walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.
                            1Peter 5:8


Prayer is needed; call on the mercy of God


Richard L. Crumb