This obscure, unknown blog and blog post will most likely be lost in never, never land of the internet. Nonetheless, there are some things that out to be out in view if per chance someone may happen across it.
I came across Frank Bruni's opinion piece posted on the New York Times entitled "Bigotry, the Bible, and Lesson of Indiana." It is appalling the rhetoric certain people and talking heads want to take regarding the Holy Scriptures and followers of Jesus Christ. They rally to themselves every liberal thinking person, religious or not, and flatter themselves to have accomplished something. I saw this many years again in the university with agnostic and atheistic professors who would point to this or that Christian group and say "See, they do not accept the resurrection of Christ, and yet are still Christians!" To which could be answer, "Sir, what defines Christianity?"
I think that if Christ Himself came and rebuked these men they would brand Him a bigot and seek to crucify him afresh. And so these religious freedom laws bring the subject to the minds of many Americans of an issue that has been boiling over for some time in this nation. As we Christians have watched our brothers and sisters Christ in America gladly face the loss of their livelihoods, jobs, and goods confiscated for their stand for righteousness and biblical fidelity, many of us have been emboldened and encouraged. I think of such verses as 1 Peter 3:14, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye..."
We are willing, if it be God's will, to not only suffer the loss of all these things for Christ's sake, but our own lives also knowing we have a better country and an everlasting inheritance given to us. Nor are we angry or bitter against those who do these things to us knowing that we also were once foolish and blind and ignorant just as they are. We walked in lived in the same flood of dissipation until the mercy and grace of God appeared to us and washed us from our transgressions, healed our blind eyes, and made us alive in Christ Jesus. Now our hearts are filled with His love and His Word is on our lips.
Frank says homosexuality and Christianity don't have to be in conflict in any church anywhere. But this is not true. This reflects such a gross and fallen understanding of Christianity that one sometimes wonders if the world is really hearing the message clearly. To refer to a Christian church is to refer to those who are born of God by His word and Spirit and who are washed and cleansed in the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sin of the world. The Church is the Body of Christ and wife of the Lamb of God. Men ought to turn the Bible that they suppose supports their erroneous notions and there see instruction in Ephesians Chapter 5 where the Bible instructs both husbands and wives, and quotes Moses regarding a man leaving his mother and father and joining to his wife. Moreover, the apostle teaches that while he is indeed giving instructions to husbands and wives, he speaks a mystery concerning Christ and His church.
The reality is the earthly picture of the union of a man and woman is a picture of the union of Christ and His church. In the beginning God created mankind male and female, and in His own image He created them in this fashion. This is why all true Christians testify against homosexuality because it is contrary and antagonistic to the image of God. It mars and destroys the picture of the union Christ and His church. And therefore it is no wonder that in its rhetoric it is vehement and violent to the Christian.
Frank wants to extend an olive branch to the Christian who thinks Christianity is opposed to homosexuality by saying we are trapped by our tradition. If that tradition be regarded as the plain teaching and examples laid out in Holy Scriptures then we agree. Moreover we happily bound in this Scripture tradition! But this is not what he means. He attempts to set other knowledge over and above the clear teaching of the Bible and thus attempt to set aside biblical teaching for new ideas. He suggests that the continued view that all forms of homosexuality are sin is a choice. Perhaps I will agree, if that choice means that I am going to choose to stick with the Bible's teaching rather than fashionable notions of the day.
You see, we true Christians believe the Bible is the eternal Word of God written. It is true today, tomorrow, and forever. In fact, this is the very nature of truth isn't it Frank? Truth does not change. And while the advances of science and knowledge may have brought some good things, such "advances" are not advances at all if they depart from the truth. They are nothing more than lies.
To suggest to us Christians that the authors of the Bible have biases and blind spots is to call into question and accuse of error the writings left behind by them. And that is to impugn the prophets and apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. This we can never accept. Neither do we ignore biblical interpretation, but like all true Christians agree together that the Bible has one interpretation. The fact that many disagree and debate the Bible's teaching has never been a mark against the text but a testament to the blindness and sinfulness of mankind.
I am happy to look honestly at all forms of homosexuality. And what do I say or see? A sinner in need of Christ Jesus. More or less flawed? No sir. Ruined in sin. More or less dignified? No sir, a sinner through and through and worthy of wrath of God just as the rest. What can we say to these things but "Repent, and believe the Gospel."
While you may think we need to be freed from these opinions, we think you need to be freed from your sins. And surely we will be also accused of self-righteousness in saying so, but nothing could be further from the truth. We were just as you are!
To lay before me 10,000 protestants, evangelicals, and roman catholics to give aid and support to your viewpoint is to present to the true Christian 10,000 apostates who have forsaken the Lord Jesus. Religion is not going to be final holdout and most stubborn refuge for homophobia. Mankind in his sinfulness will create a religion and compromise in 10 million ways to live in and love his sin.
It will be biblical Christianity that will hold fast. It will be true Christians that hold against any acceptance of all forms of homosexuality. Let God be true, and every man a liar. To tell you, Frank Bruni, and every other person who loves and practices sin, that such things are not an offense, that such things are ok, when God's Word clearly and plainly say otherwise, would be to become again like you and love and practice a lie.
Homosexuality is a sin. Those who defiantly practice it will face severe judgment and wrath from God. Those who turn from this sin, and all their sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ may have mercy and forgiveness of their sins by His blood. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world...not confirms mankind into it.
Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, April 10, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
The Siren Song of Pornography
It has been my custom, by God's grace, these last few months to read and contemplate on the Proverbs. As a way to work through them systematically have endeavored to read a chapter a day and by this method work through the book of Proverbs monthly. This has been done to great profit to my soul and delight in my heart. I have now nearly silenced the voice that says that each time I begin there will be no benefit. The pernicious discouragement certainly comes from a foul source that now only serves to cheer me on more.
Today, being the 7th day of January, I read Proverbs 7 once more. Today my heart yearned and groaned about those men and women of the world caught in the snares of pornography. This plague has spread over the face of the whole earth infiltrating hearts and homes through the internet never conceived even possible in any age of man till now. We have seen our leaders of state and home destroyed by this vice more times that we like to admit. The insanity rages on as our society even tries to normalize it and say it is good and permissible. The truth of the matter is that it is no more than adultery and fornication vicariously carried out by men and women though their computer and television screens. If a man were to creep to the window of a neighbor's home and gaze upon them in the nakedness and intimacy, and were caught, he would be arrest and charges brought against him for being a peeping Tom. Yet our society stealthily peeks through public and private computer, TV, and movie screens to obtain their immoral and adulterous thrills.
Proverbs 7 seems a fit chapter in applying the truth to our hearts in this matter. If I be permitted to walk through the chapter and adding some commentary to apply it to the licentious practice of modern society is engaged in perhaps some might be saved from this pathway that surely leads to hell and destruction both in this life and the next.
A Proverbs 7 Paraphrase/Commentary
My son, keep my words and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange (other) woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding....
Channel surfing through cable television, searching the web, near her shows and web pages, and he went the way to her domains, in the early hours, late in the evening, in the black and dark night. And, behold, there she met with him, the woman, clothed like a prostitute and with a subtle heart (but she is loud and stubborn; her feet do not stay at home but is outside in the streets or on the corner like a prostitute looking for her next victim. She is not what she seems).
So she caught him when he finally chose the video/picture to watch, and she kissed him in his minds eye and in his heart with a saucy face and said 'I am free and at peace and have no obligations except to be with you. I am free and have made my bed and place that are filled with delightful and wonder things for you to enjoy. All of it looks good and the smell of my perfumes are intoxicating. Stay with me a long time and let us enjoy ourselves all night long and be comforted with pleasure. There is none in heaven or on the earth around that can stop us or will see us! You can delete the history from your computer and hide your tracks and no one will know.
And with her sultry speeches, beauty, and sultry lips she enticed him beyond resistance and greedily he ran to all her images and delights like a cow goes to the slaughter or as a criminal goes to prison. He did not know that he was being led to his doom and prison until the arrow struck him through his liver and like a foul beast caught by a trapper and took his life away. Into bondage he went, and no satisfaction was his.
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
O dear reader, if God would give but one straying soul to happen across this little unknown blog and warn them I should count myself blessed and be forever grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Both unbelieving and sometimes believer in Jesus are found to be ensnared by the adulterous without having to leave their homes. In the comforts and privacy of their offices, computers, smartphones, and the like they pass near her corner and go the way to her house. They do not know or consider that the Lord of Heaven has looked through the window of His house and seen what you do.
She has caught you in all her subtleties and deceived you with her images. She has lied to by telling you in your heart that none see and you will not be in trouble for your deeds. Hear the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom!! You may go on believing this until the day comes when the arrow of God's truth will strike through you inmost parts and catches you like bird who hurries along to the trap. She has told you that in her place are pleasures forevermore but she has made her bed in hell. And that is exactly where you will find you resting place unless you repent.
Drive this woman from your hearts, your homes, your computers, and your smartphones. Do not think that it will be easy. As a fish hook often tears the guts out of the fish that swallows it to remove it, so will removing your heart from these pernicious ways and practicing tear at your mind and heart. Do not let despair also lie to you and say that it is impossible.
"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee, keep my commandments, and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye, bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart..."
Friend, be you young man or old, young woman or old, the Lord Jesus is able and willing to forgive. He is the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. Lay hold of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Set His words upon your heart. Store up His commandments within you. Run by the door of His house and live! Take the bane of filth and immorality out of your eye and make God's law the apple of it. Let your fingers cease searching for sexual immorality and let them lay hold of His commandment.
Do not delay and do not wait. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart...while it is still called today.
Today, being the 7th day of January, I read Proverbs 7 once more. Today my heart yearned and groaned about those men and women of the world caught in the snares of pornography. This plague has spread over the face of the whole earth infiltrating hearts and homes through the internet never conceived even possible in any age of man till now. We have seen our leaders of state and home destroyed by this vice more times that we like to admit. The insanity rages on as our society even tries to normalize it and say it is good and permissible. The truth of the matter is that it is no more than adultery and fornication vicariously carried out by men and women though their computer and television screens. If a man were to creep to the window of a neighbor's home and gaze upon them in the nakedness and intimacy, and were caught, he would be arrest and charges brought against him for being a peeping Tom. Yet our society stealthily peeks through public and private computer, TV, and movie screens to obtain their immoral and adulterous thrills.
Proverbs 7 seems a fit chapter in applying the truth to our hearts in this matter. If I be permitted to walk through the chapter and adding some commentary to apply it to the licentious practice of modern society is engaged in perhaps some might be saved from this pathway that surely leads to hell and destruction both in this life and the next.
A Proverbs 7 Paraphrase/Commentary
My son, keep my words and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange (other) woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding....
Channel surfing through cable television, searching the web, near her shows and web pages, and he went the way to her domains, in the early hours, late in the evening, in the black and dark night. And, behold, there she met with him, the woman, clothed like a prostitute and with a subtle heart (but she is loud and stubborn; her feet do not stay at home but is outside in the streets or on the corner like a prostitute looking for her next victim. She is not what she seems).
So she caught him when he finally chose the video/picture to watch, and she kissed him in his minds eye and in his heart with a saucy face and said 'I am free and at peace and have no obligations except to be with you. I am free and have made my bed and place that are filled with delightful and wonder things for you to enjoy. All of it looks good and the smell of my perfumes are intoxicating. Stay with me a long time and let us enjoy ourselves all night long and be comforted with pleasure. There is none in heaven or on the earth around that can stop us or will see us! You can delete the history from your computer and hide your tracks and no one will know.
And with her sultry speeches, beauty, and sultry lips she enticed him beyond resistance and greedily he ran to all her images and delights like a cow goes to the slaughter or as a criminal goes to prison. He did not know that he was being led to his doom and prison until the arrow struck him through his liver and like a foul beast caught by a trapper and took his life away. Into bondage he went, and no satisfaction was his.
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
O dear reader, if God would give but one straying soul to happen across this little unknown blog and warn them I should count myself blessed and be forever grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Both unbelieving and sometimes believer in Jesus are found to be ensnared by the adulterous without having to leave their homes. In the comforts and privacy of their offices, computers, smartphones, and the like they pass near her corner and go the way to her house. They do not know or consider that the Lord of Heaven has looked through the window of His house and seen what you do.
She has caught you in all her subtleties and deceived you with her images. She has lied to by telling you in your heart that none see and you will not be in trouble for your deeds. Hear the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom!! You may go on believing this until the day comes when the arrow of God's truth will strike through you inmost parts and catches you like bird who hurries along to the trap. She has told you that in her place are pleasures forevermore but she has made her bed in hell. And that is exactly where you will find you resting place unless you repent.
Drive this woman from your hearts, your homes, your computers, and your smartphones. Do not think that it will be easy. As a fish hook often tears the guts out of the fish that swallows it to remove it, so will removing your heart from these pernicious ways and practicing tear at your mind and heart. Do not let despair also lie to you and say that it is impossible.
"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee, keep my commandments, and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye, bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart..."
Friend, be you young man or old, young woman or old, the Lord Jesus is able and willing to forgive. He is the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. Lay hold of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Set His words upon your heart. Store up His commandments within you. Run by the door of His house and live! Take the bane of filth and immorality out of your eye and make God's law the apple of it. Let your fingers cease searching for sexual immorality and let them lay hold of His commandment.
Do not delay and do not wait. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart...while it is still called today.
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