Dear Editor

I’m responding to “All God's children” in your Oct. 30 edition. I realize that there is an ongoing controversy about homosexuality and how the church should deal with it. The subject of homosexuality is quite complicated in nature, but how it is to be dealt with by the church is really very clear if one knows the scripture of the Biblical text.

Under the Law of the Old Testament, without going into all the scripture because of space, it was very clear that homosexuality was sin, and those who practiced it were dealt with very harshly by God. Sodom and Gomorrah is the classic example. In Leviticus 18:22, New Living Translation, we are told, "Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin."

Then we go to the New Testament, and granted, Jesus never specifically addressed homosexuality or most of the other sins that the scriptures had already addressed. He was not there to go through everything that God had already addressed, but was there to save us all from the condemnation that sin brings. He was there to sacrifice Himself on the cross, and to give us a new commandment of love for one another. However, Paul does specifically address homosexuality as well as adultery, drunkenness, lying, cheating, gossiping, etc., and the list goes on and on, and Paul was taught by Jesus. We are given a glimpse of that truth in II Corinthians 12:1 - 4.

In I Corinthians 6: 9 - 10, Paul tells us that “those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers   none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.” In Romans 1:18 - 32, New Living Translation, Paul gives very specifically the mind and heart of God concerning homosexuality. In those verses, Paul tells us the God has put in every person's heart the knowledge of His position on homosexuality, for both men and women. God compares it with idol worship. He calls it degrading. Paul said of those who practice homosexuality, verse 25, “Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately CHOSE to believe lies....” Further down in verse 32, Paul closed out by saying, “They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” Now, the death penalty stated here is referring to eternal condemnation spiritually.

Now, it is very clear what God's position is on this sin, and it is very clear what His judgment of it is. Now, yes, yes, yes, we are commanded to love homosexuals. We are also commanded to love drunkards, liars, gossips, cheaters, etc. However, we are not to just “accept them as they are,” and just say, bless their little hearts, that is just their lot in life. No, a thousand times, no! We are to attempt to minister the Word of God to them and give them an opportunity to see, hear, and know the truth of God's instructions of how to live. Jesus said in John 8:31 and 32 that when one knows the truth, then the truth will set them free.

We are certainly not supposed to allow them to be put in positions of any form of ministry, especially the priesthood or any other area of leadership. This “politically correct” garbage of politics has overwhelmingly invaded and flooded the church, and has dangerously clouded the thinking of much of the clergy, and thereby, the people they are leading. Many in the church have gotten away from the teachings of the Bible and have formed their own opinions of how to live. Paul addressed this as well in great detail, as did James, Peter, and John. Unfortunately, there are those who have confused the wonderful commandment of Love that Jesus taught us with sin and wickedness tolerance.

To tolerate sin and welcome it into our “house” in the name of God’s love is exactly what has caused the fast deteriorating morals of our “modern” society. Yes, it does seem easier to look the other way and not rock the boat, but the truth of it is that the boat is sinking, folks! We had better start “manning the ship!”

Pastor Mike Moore

Pimpernel St.

Summerville