before the sun goes down

"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in His sight" (I Chronicles 19:13).

Friday, June 15, 2012

Fatherhood, Creation, and Perversion

This Sunday is Father's Day, initiated to remind us all of the need to respect and appreciate the blessing of a father in the home. God as the Creator established marriage and the family.  He laid out the pattern for these roles in the very beginning of Scripture, the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapters 1 and 2: one man for one woman for life.  When an individual or a group of individuals choose to twist God's design, the result is perversion.  God calls it sin.  

We live in a society that has denied the truth of the Creator and His word.  We have turned every one to His own way, and said "Do your own thing."  Children are taught that they are just rearranged slime and there are no rules.  One of the results of this is the rise of homosexuality and other like base practices. I believe this is a direct fruit of rejection of the Creator God (Romans 1:18-32).

Christians and churches as a whole across the country have not spoken the truth, nor have they taken a stand for the truth.  The main cause of this silence is that most Christians are woefully ignorant of what God actually says.  "My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6).  Because of this "lack of knowledge", not only have the lost in this world simply sunk deeper in sin unwarned, but also many Christians have been deceived into thinking it is fine with God.  I know of prominent "Christian" leaders who are treating homosexual relations as a non issue, and won't speak the truth about it.  This is because they either have denied it to be true themselves or they are giving in to the fear of man.  But are we not to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)?  Is it loving to let someone continue in sin, without warning them of the danger and the judgment of such an abomination?  Is it loving to tell them that their actions are permissible, when God says differently?  Is it loving to NOT tell them of the way of escape?  The Bible declares, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6).

Are we not to be preserving salt in society?  If we are not doing our job outside the saltshaker, or worse, are allowing our own salt to be polluted by the world's thinking, are we not worthy of being trodden under the foot of men?  If we are silent is it not to our shame? (Matthew 5:13; Luke 14:34-35; Colossians 4:6; I Corinthians 15:34)

Are we not to shine the light in darkness, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, even though men love darkness because their deeds are evil? (Matthew 5:16; John 3:19; Philippians 2:15)

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I cannot but speak His word "...he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully..." (Jeremiah 23:28).

Anyway, I recently saw something alarming on the official Father's Day ad for JC Penny's.  It shows the picture of a real life male homosexual couple and their children, and talks about how great it is to have two dads.  It is depicting that lifestyle as a normal and healthy, which is a glaring lie.  This large department store company is promoting the homosexual agenda.  Here is an excerpt of my message to them:
~~~
Dear JC Penny's Associate,
   I am contacting you in grief over your recent blatant ads (Mothers' Day and Father's Day).  As a father, I take great umbrage that you would promote homosexuality in the name of a day that is dedicated to preserving honor to the family unit, which is the backbone of our society.  Homosexuality brings great damage to those trapped in it and to their families.  I have always thought of your company as having a good heritage in integrity and wholesome family values, but I am seeing a calamitous shift, endorsing wicked behavior, that threatens the fabric of the family.

   There are a lot who throw the name "homophobe" around, but it does not apply to me, nor to many thousands that stand with me.  I am not "afraid" of homosexuals.  I care about them enough to tell them the truth.  I have spent time and spoken with many of them, and have heard them confess that they know it is wrong and that they are trapped in the sin.  They know it is sin.  I have had the joy of sharing how they can be made free through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and encourage them to return to the Creator's design for the sexual relationship: within marriage, between one man and one woman for life.  JC Penny's promoting such a destructive behavior is only furthering the bondage of those ensnared.  "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 16:25).  I cannot put money into what is destroying so many men, women, and families.  Because of JC Penny's brazen determination both in the face of the truth, and in spite of the concerns of multitudes of customers, my family and I will not be shopping at JC Penny's stores, outlets, sites, etc., until there is evidence that JC Penny's has changed their policies.  I pray that your company will reconsider what it promotes.
~~~
By the way, some have claimed that the Bible has no problem with homosexuality.  That is only a claim from those who either do not know the Scriptures, or those who have an ulterior motive to believe so.  Here are some articles that will explain the Biblical worldview on homosexuality, the Christian, and society. 



I am well aware that it is likely that homosexuals whom I am acquainted may read this. Whether I know you or not, I am praying for you to "Consider your ways" as the LORD said (Haggai 1:7), and repent, turning to Jesus Christ for freedom of this evil sin (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.