(The following is an article Pastor Main wrote for inclusion in the Morris Sun Tribune opinion section -printed Saturday, August 22nd, 2009- after advance news of ELCA agenda including probable approval of gay clergy serving churches, and acceptance of their "statement on sexuality" which opens the door to just about anything; and a pro-gay letter written by an individual in the area. Since dead silence followed these articles, Pastor Main wrote this to cut to the heart of the issue: the salvation of souls- and timed its release to coincide with the ELCA convention coverage in August, when attention would again be drawn to this topic. At the end of this article are a brief commentary, and directions to a useful synod site regarding this topic.)
We’re Not Doing Anyone a Favor
The following is an open letter to Christians.
The campaign has been going on for years, hasn’t it? People who practiced homosexuality banded together and claimed a perfectly innocent word- gay –to be the new term to define the group. Others who struggled with or defiantly opposed the traditional definitions of sexuality and marriage- gays, lesbians, trans-genders, and bisexuals –formed a political block to campaign for civil rights, as though they were a mistreated race.
On the Hollywood front, writers worked hard to promote the “gay community” in glowing terms. For TV and the big screen, characters were written in who were gay. They were portrayed as the smart ones, the witty ones, the fun ones, or the most honest in the group. All this was done to soften public opinion and gain acceptance.
On the street, gay pride parades and other events earned face time in the news, and made gays seem much more “the norm” than their small numbers would attest.
In the churches they infiltrated or successfully persuaded, they managed to make a place for themselves, with some groups taken over completely, others condoning or being divided on the issue.
Since January ’09 alone, a major church body announced it would offer a compromise on “the gay clergy issue”; several states have passed “gay marriage” legislation, and articles proclaiming joyful progress for gays and lesbians have been printed. Even at our local level, a commentary found space in the paper (March 4th) in which a local lesbian took us to school on the beauty of a lesbian relationship vs. the ugliness of anyone who would naysay them.
And what has been the Christian response? Silence? Private grumbling? Personal questioning? Approval? You do realize, don’t you, that we are not doing anyone a favor by failing to witness.
God our Creator made us sexual beings, and gave mankind the gift of marriage: the lifelong union of one man and one woman. It is within this and only within this relationship that God intends sexual expression to take place. Any sexual activity outside of biblically defined marriage is a sin. God tells us that in the Sixth Commandment- “You shall not commit adultery” –and explains it throughout His holy Word.
In St. Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he puts teeth in God’s standard. In chapter 6 verses 9 and 10 he lists sins that break various commands of God- several of which go against the Sixth Commandment, including homosexuality –and states that those who continue to do these things will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (That’s a nice way of saying they’re headed for hell, by the way.)
We as Christians need to hold up God’s Law to people, so they can see their sin, and follow with the Gospel, which proclaims that Jesus is the Savior from sin. To tell people “Jesus loves you!” and let people continue in sin, unrepentant and proud, is to set them up for an eternal fall. Jesus himself taught us in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Christians, consider the importance of hearing God’s Word, accepting His will, and witnessing of your Savior from sin to others.
Rev. Donald Main Morris
* Pastor Main anticipated objections to this letter, with people complaining about being singled out, picked on, it no longer being a sin, being born gay so they can't help it or can't change or shouldn't be hated, etc. Pastor had answers with Scripture to back them up at the ready, but no objections came. This became the final word on the issue in the paper at this time, and that is okay.
** Our WELS monthly magazine, Forward In Christ (formerly The Northwestern Lutheran) has an archive with a wealth of information on this subject, showing that homosexuality/lesbianism is a sin that can be repented of and turned from, and that we as Christians are not being fearful or hateful to share this news.
If you go to our synod website http://www.wels.net you can go to the "Quick Links" at the lower left-hand part of your screen. Scroll down to "Forward In Christ magazine" and left click. On the right side of the screen, center, at "Simple Search Keyword:" type in the term homosexuality and click on Search. It will take you to a collection of 83 bits of news, feature articles, editorials, and questions & answers on the subject; a wealth of information on how a gracious God views this activity, has sent his Son to pay for this sin as well as all others, and how people can leave this lifestyle to walk with God as his forgiven, beloved children.
