God does not suggest in His Word that homosexuality is the only sin to be avoided with the penalty of the offender being kept outside His kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 6:9 there is a list of various practices which will exempt people from a relationship with Jesus now and in the future, unless repentance and godly change take place: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

We should not give the impression that we are singling out homosexuality. Rather we should stand up to limit any legislation that encourages greater freedom to promote any of the behaviors listed in 1 Corinthians chapter 6. Churches should clearly teach the dangers of all of these. For example we should be concerned about drinking laws. In the UK a few years ago it was made legal for pubs to dramatically extend their opening hours. Drunkenness increased. Adultery has already become almost acceptable. I am saddened that the partner who commits adultery, leaving his or her family, does not get penalized. Did Christians fail to stand up in the past to limit the consequences of adultery, by failing to petition for just legislation?

I was discouraged by one of the letters in my local newspaper, the “News Chieftain” this week: A woman wrote: “As a Christian I am ashamed that resources are being used to support this offensive proposition when we could be helping our parishioners who are struggling financially and losing their homes, feeding the hungry and teaching children tolerance not hate. That is what Jesus would do. Shame on them! My God loves all of his children.”

This woman writes half truths. Unless we are careful it all sounds so plausible. Certainly we must help the hungry and the poor, but this does not mean that we should not stand up for Biblical truth. John chapter 8 verses 31-32 explain “If you abide in My word you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Free from what- freedom from sin and its consequences.

God loves everyone but the woman is wrong in claiming that we are all His children. Our response to Him determines whether we become His children. We can be adopted into His family if we believe in Him and receive Jesus: His love, His forgiveness, His presence and His word. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1: 12-13

Ultimately, if we are Christians, freedom should not be a free for all, but a desire to be free from sin. Rights should be about receiving what God offers us. Only He can give us the right to become a child of God. If we are headstrong and persistent in going our own way and ignoring His instruction in the Bible regarding adultery, homosexuality, drunkenness… we are not putting ourselves under His authority and we do not want to become His children.

When I was a teacher in England , I treated the kids as I would treat my own children. I wanted the best for them. As a Christian I oppose any legislation that is likely to push kids away from God. If Proposition 8 is defeated, homosexuality will be normalized just as adultery has been. Adultery has resulted in many children and adults being torn apart. The children are more likely to repeat the behavior that they have observed and the victims are miserable. Adultery is easy to do in this country and it breaks human relationships and it separates the offenders from God and His kingdom. Homosexuality will increase if Prop 8 is opposed, pushing more children and adults into a lifestyle that is opposed to God’s will.

Legislation does not discourage adultery. If one of the married couple breaks the marriage to have an affair with someone else, he or she is not penalized. However, it is unlikely that teachers will teach adultery as a good thing-yet…! In the case of homosexuality, teachers are likely to promote this lifestyle in California. Why else has the teacher’s union donated $1.25 million for the No on 8 campaign? Children will be adopted by homosexual couples in greater numbers and if the law is applied as wholeheartedly as hate speech has been in Canada, Christians will be arrested for teaching the Biblical message regarding homosexuality.

I want more people to understand God’s liberating truth. The truth that truly sets us free from sin. I will vote yes on Prop 8 because marriage is between a man and a woman who become one flesh and have children. Homosexuals, like adulterers are separating themselves from Jesus by their behavior. God does love them and so should we, but we cannot promote any behavior that separates them or anyone else from God.

If Proposition 8 is defeated, people will be encouraged to get involved with a lifestyle that will separate them from Jesus. If we are Christians we must teach the whole Word of God. It is important that we are free to teach the truth about sin. This includes homosexual acts as well as adultery, theft etc. We must also teach that Jesus is the only one who can forgive us from the sin that we are guilty of. He can forgive and welcome adulterers, homosexuals, drunks, prostitutes…. into His kingdom, but this is less likely if Christians are not permitted to call certain behavior wrong. We need to know in what ways we are sinful so that we can seek God’s forgiveness and help. Truth leads to freedom. Let’s vote to promote God’s truth: If you live in California please vote Yes on Propositon 8.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Why should Christians vote yes on Proposition 8?

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It is helpful to remember that despite popular assumption, everyone of us was born with the inclination to do what is wrong and that includes our children. The Bible makes this clear (Romans 3:23). Rather than being surprised we need to work out how to proceed when the inevitable happens.

One of the big challenges of being a parent is working with our husbands to come up with a system of rules and punishment that are consistent, clear and fair. I struggle with this and find that my kids sometimes exploit their parents’ failure to communicate. Once they have succeeded in dividing us they have won the battle. The confusion and division are not a good foundation for harmonious family life. Unity and love between parents and a desire to express their love to their kids through disciplining them is an essential platform and, in my opinion, this is only possible if we seek Jesus’ mercy and strength and the guidance provided in the Bible.

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapter 1:24, it is established that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh.”

My wedding

In God’s eyes married couples are one unit, they are male and female (not two of one sex) and we need to function in unity although we have different roles. Divorce creates so much devastation as it is the total opposite of the “one flesh”. Jesus makes this point in Matthew 19 :6. He refers to the verse in Genesis and he says: “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” I know that for many divorce is a harsh reality that you would never have chosen. God will reach out to you in mercy and help you. For those of us who are married, hold onto the bond of marriage that God instituted. Do whatever you can to make it work and avoid temptation that could lead, down the road, to an adulterous relationship.

For those of us who are wives let us seek unity with our husbands through forgiveness, offering Christ like love and being submissive and responsive. We must not wait until our husbands are good enough or worthy of our love. We must love like Christ. In John 15:12, Jesus says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” As Jesus sacrificed his life for sinful mankind that deserved nothing but punishment, we must similarly offer love to those who do not deserve it. This is how we should love everyone. For our kids to be raised in a stable home, we must seek to love their father, as well as loving them, in this self sacrificial way. I can only imagine the challenges of Siamese twins who are physically joined to one another. When we are married we are joined together in every respect. The physical is less important than the spiritual, but still important. Can you imagine Siamese twins arguing with one another. It would be terrible and we would encourage them to get on amicably to avoid a life of misery.

Similarly we need to encourage husbands and wives to love one another with the love of Jesus. This is by no means weak and sentimental: remember Jesus died for us. Loving in unity within marriage is the best way to handle the inevitable rudeness and rebellion that our kids will exhibit. Let’s encourage one another to work hard at making marriages work. If you are single, you can play an important role in persuading your married friends to persevere and to seek the love that transforms and to offer this unconditionally, offering it even when it is not reciprocated. Jesus will give you the love you need to give to others if you seek him. He is the one who will fill you up when you are empty. Don’t expect your children, your husband or other loved ones to take the place of Jesus. Rather love Jesus first so that you can love others with his love.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

A united marriage is the foundation that kids need

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