The New Calamity

What did the Supreme Count do? In a 5-to-4 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States of America has ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. 

The Bible is not silent about such decisions. Alongside its clearest explanation of the sin of homosexual intercourse (Romans 1:24–27) stands the indictment of the approval and institutionalization of it. Though people know intuitively that homosexual acts (along with gossip, slander, insolence, haughtiness, boasting, faithlessness, heartlessness, ruthlessness) are sin, “they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:29–32). “I tell you even with tears, that many glory in their shame” (Philippians 3:18–19).

This is what the highest court in our land did — knowing these deeds are wrong, “yet approving those who practice them.”

My sense is that we do not realize what a calamity is happening around us. The NEW THING — new for America, and new for history — is not homosexuality. That brokenness has been here since the early beginning of Genesis.

What’s new is not even the celebration and approval of homosexual sin. Homosexual behavior has been exploited, and reveled in, and celebrated in art and literature for ages.

What’s new is normalization and institutionalization of such sins. This is the new calamity.

Hopefully the church will feel the sorrow of these days and the magnitude of the assault on God and his image in man. Christians, more clearly than others, can see the tidal wave of pain that is on the way. Sin carries in it its own misery: “Men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:27).

Christians know what is coming, not only because we see it in the Bible, but because we have tasted the sorrowful fruit of our own sins. We do not escape the truth that we reap what we sow. Our marriages, our children, our churches, our institutions — they are all troubled because of our sins.

The difference is: We weep over our sins. We don’t celebrate them. We don’t institutionalize them. We turn to Jesus for forgiveness and help. We cry to Jesus, “who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Confusion Over Transgenderism

There’s a lot of talk about transgenderism.  It appears that there are a lot of Christians who are confused and many are straddling the fence on this issue.

The thing to keep in mind is knowing the value of having a good compass when you feel lost and confused. The Bible is that compass. It will always point you north when you feel like taking another path especially when you see others doing so.

Here are some passages to keep in mind.

First, Jeremiah 17:9:  “The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

You cannot trust your heart.  It will lead you astray on many important and orthodox issues. Notice the passage says, “the heart is deceitful.”  This puts our hearts on the same level as the devil who is the ultimate deceiver. Left alone without any spiritual guidance, your heart will steer you down the wrong path.  

This is why God says in the next verse: “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

God knows our deceitful heart and has given us His Word to help steer us in the right direction. The problem is when we choose not to take seriously God’s Word and even question on whether or not we are interpreting certain bible passages correctly.

Why should we not trust our hearts?

Here’s what Jesus had to say about the heart: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matt. 15:19). 

The heart is the source of these sinful things. Then add “deception” mixed in and you’ll see why you cannot trust your heart!

What should I do, Pastor Rich? 

Love the Lord with all your heart (Matt. 22:37).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Prov. 3:5).

Serve God with all your heart (1 Chron. 28:9).

Pray for a clean heart (Psalm 51:10).

Treasure the Scriptures in your heart (Psalm 119:11).

Watch over your heart with all diligence (Prov. 4:23). 

Don’t let your heart be troubled (John 14:1). 

Draw near to God with a sincere heart (Heb. 10:22).

What we are witnessing today with transgenderism are people listening to their deceitful hearts.   When the world does this it’s one thing. When the church follows the same course even though we got the Play Book before us, it is mind blowing!

Listen to what James says – James 1:26:  “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but DECEIVES HIS HEART, this person's religion is worthless.”

Two very important things to be concerned about:  First, your heart is deceitful – thus it can deceive you. Second, according to James, you can also deceive your own heart.

Now with all this in mind and there’s so much more, am I going to let the world guide my heart concerning what is true and false regarding morality?

One last thing.  When Noah entered the ark with his family (total of eight people, cf. Gen. 7:7), they entered as the MINORITY.  After the flood, when God told them to exit the ark, they came out as the MAJORITY (Gen. 8:15-9:1).

So shall we.  The only people the world is allowed to be bigoted toward are Christians.  Christians are the whipping boy for the world to persecute. There will be times when you will feel like you are in the minority!  Hallelujah! 

Stay true to the Lord and hold fast to His Word. In the end, like Noah, you will come out as the majority.