HIS WRATH
"The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness"
(Romans 1:18)
A week ago, on Sunday evening, we attended an annual Pentecost event
called "Come Together 2002". It was a wonderful time emphasizing prayer,
praise and fellowship and there was some good teaching. We held hands
during times of prayer and many placed their arms around one another, as
we sought the Lord for His mercy in the lives of those who are in need.
At the end of the evening, as we emerged from the Convention and
Entertainment Center, we encountered groups of people who also were
holding hands and walking with arms around one another, but with a
difference. They were among the many who had just finished a weekend
celebrating "Gay Pride."
As they walked arm-in-arm in groups of two or more, it was an
interesting comparison with the intimacy we had just experienced
together, but the difference was shocking and it was a rude reminder
that our country, our world, is entering a very dangerous time.
Is the act of being "gay" different from any other sin? From God's
perspective, not really. James taught that "whoever shall keep the whole
law and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). The
promiscuous person is guilty, no matter what they do or who they do it
with. The churchgoer who appears to live a life that everybody agrees is
"much better" than others, is nevertheless a thief and a murderer in the
sight of God, if they gossip or lie - even once.
Unfair? Not at all, for God has provided a WAY for the gossip, thief,
murderer, liar and for all others who fall short of the glory of God,
and the Name of that Way is Jesus Christ. "For by GRACE you have been
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). To those who
cannot keep the Law (and that's all of us), God has given His grace.
And lest anyone should misunderstand and conclude this is some kind of
"cheap grace" where people can do "anything they want", the Scripture
continues, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"
(Ephesians 2:10). By the grace of God in Christ, we are RESCUED and
delivered to lives that are intended for good. We are healed from the
power of sin through the cross of Jesus Christ.
But the advent of widespread homosexuality in a culture is different in
a very important way. It is like a signpost toward the future, and the
words written on that sign are these: "Danger Ahead". And it continues,
"Bridge out - turn back!" The people of this nation and world must turn
back before it is too late.
Now, we can't stop time and most can't change their behavior, because
time just keeps happening and people are like pigeons in a lab maze, who
just can't stop peck-peck-pecking at the grain which falls from the
little slot. But there is healing in the cross of Jesus Christ. It was
foretold by Isaiah the Prophet: "He (Jesus) was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for
our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
The problem in our culture is not "new" sins (all this is as old as
time). The real problem is turning our backs on the God who loves us –
He will not let us continue in the murk and mire of sin. If the culture
or the nation must be destroyed in order to deliver us from sin and
certain death, He will do it. He loves you too much for anything else.
As the Scripture says, "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18)
If we continue to take God out of our courts, our schools and our
hearts, He will judge us. And the evidence (the "signpost") of that is
seen in an interesting way. As in today's Scripture, the Lord will Judge
those "who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). And
what is the truth? As Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek; for in it is the
righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
'The just shall life by faith'" (Romans 1:16-17).
He longs to fellowship with us, but if we are "ashamed" of Him, He will
warn us of impending wrath in a surprising manner. The hearts of such a
people will be "darkened" (Romans 1:23). They will lapse into worshiping
the creation instead of the Creator (verse 24). And "for this reason,
God gave them up to vile passions; for even their women exchanged the
natural use for what is against nature; likewise also the men, leaving
the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men
with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the
penalty of their error" (Romans 1:26-27). “Gay Pride” is a sign that our
nation, our world is in deep trouble.
Most people seem to know something about the cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah; how the people lapsed into a "gay" lifestyle, and then were
destroyed by God (Genesis 19). But many don't notice Ezekiel 16:49,
which warns, "Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom; she and
her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness;
neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy; and they were
haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them
away". They turned backs on God, they became proud (trusted in
themselves), and no longer gave the love of God to those in need. He put
up a signpost: "Danger Ahead - Bridge Out" by letting them have "vile
passions". They ignored the sign and were destroyed.
How can you save this land, for yourselves and for those you love? Let's
turn to Him now. Father, we have sinned before You. We have loved the
things of this world more than we have loved You. We have not cared for
the poor and needy. We see there is "Danger Ahead" and we ask, "Help us,
Lord!" We reach out and trust in You now. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org
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