A well liked speaker and pastor of the faith in Jesus Christ recently stepped down or was asked to step down from offering a prayer at the upcoming Inauguration of the President of the United States. The reason is due to a sermon he gave years ago on homosexuality. Here is the objectionable portion of that sermon;
“Homosexuality is sin. The only way out of a homosexual lifestyle, the only way out of a relationship that has been engrained over years of time, is through the healing power of Jesus.”
In reality, he spoke what is written in the bible. As one reporter put it, "basic orthodox Christianity." So, he was doing his job as a pastor - speaking the truth in love to people who might not know the truth as written in the bible. The truth is what the bible says about homosexuality and the love is the healing gift of Jesus.
Some might believe they don't need healing or they have no struggle with their lifestyle. That is their choice. But, keep in mind that God set up standards of living for His people. They were written down and orally transmitted to all who desired to follow after God. Then, as prophesied or predicted, those standards would be followed perfectly by the One who was given authority to come from God the Father as an offering for all of us who admit we can not follow those standards! So in the end we are all given a choice to decide what path to take and choose our own lifestyle. A fork in the road so to speak. "Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble."
By the way, the pastor is not reeling from this latest development. He has graciously chosen to step down. In a statement, he said that his participation “will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.” Amen, sir.
Read: Leviticus 18:22 - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Proverbs 28:14
“Homosexuality is sin. The only way out of a homosexual lifestyle, the only way out of a relationship that has been engrained over years of time, is through the healing power of Jesus.”
In reality, he spoke what is written in the bible. As one reporter put it, "basic orthodox Christianity." So, he was doing his job as a pastor - speaking the truth in love to people who might not know the truth as written in the bible. The truth is what the bible says about homosexuality and the love is the healing gift of Jesus.
Some might believe they don't need healing or they have no struggle with their lifestyle. That is their choice. But, keep in mind that God set up standards of living for His people. They were written down and orally transmitted to all who desired to follow after God. Then, as prophesied or predicted, those standards would be followed perfectly by the One who was given authority to come from God the Father as an offering for all of us who admit we can not follow those standards! So in the end we are all given a choice to decide what path to take and choose our own lifestyle. A fork in the road so to speak. "Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble."
By the way, the pastor is not reeling from this latest development. He has graciously chosen to step down. In a statement, he said that his participation “will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.” Amen, sir.
Read: Leviticus 18:22 - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Proverbs 28:14
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