Come Out...and Be Separate...

There is a verse that has been swirling around in my head for days now...and I think the Lord wants me to share it with you.  So please bear with me.  You may not all agree with what I am going to say, but nevertheless, I believe it must be said. 

I am reading from the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter 6:11--7:1

2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

7: 1  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Can you guess which verse has been swirling around in my head? Yes, you guessed it correctly if you said verse 17, especially the first part of that verse:  "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord."

This can be applied to so many issues that are dividing our nation and even our churches today. Sadly, especially our churches.  We are currently members of a very conservative, traditional, Jesus loving, Bible believing, Spirit filled United Methodist Church, and we love it.   Some of my former evangelical church friends and parishioners are probably gasping their breath because we have always served the Lord in very conservative evangelical, mission minded, Bible teaching and believing churches who probably look askance at the United Methodist Church as they think they know it to be. (But please don't judge this book by it's cover!)  And with the current news about the United Methodist Church struggle to decide whether or not to accept and ordain openly gay pastors and Bishops, it is a huge concern.  The battle is raging right now as we speak. A vote will be taken this very day to determine the future of this denomination.   As of right now, it is looking more favorable that the traditional view is going to have a majority of votes rather than the "One Church Plan", which allows for gay marriage and ordination of pastors, etc.  Here is a little video by Rob Renfroe of "Good News" Youtube videos,  that helps explain what is going on:

But let me say one thing here lest some become smug and think that this could never happen in your denomination.  It can, and it has, and most every denomination in the nation/world has had to grapple with this element and issue, regardless of whether or not your denomination is considered ultra-conservative, evangelical, or traditional.  If it hasn't already had to address this issue, it will sooner or later.  

Why?  Because of the current world view that is happening right before our very eyes that tells everyone that being "gay" is okay.  Now don't start jumping up and down and screaming at me whether or not you agree or disagree.    I've heard all the arguments and defense for and against, etc.

But what I want to ask today to all of the people out there who think that being "gay" is okay and that God even somehow endorses this lifestyle, please show me where it says that in the Bible...  

Now don't get me wrong, I believe that Jesus loves everyone...and I believe what He says in 

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

But Jesus doesn't stop there...let's read on...

17.  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; 

but He who does not believe is condemned already, 

because he has not believed in the name of the 

only begotten Son of God.

19. And this is the condemnation,

that the light has come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light 

and does not come to the light,

lest his deeds should be exposed.

21.  But he who does the truth comes to the light,

that his deeds may be clearly seen,

that they have been done in God."

Jesus did not come into the world to leave us lost in our sins.  He came so that we could be set free from our sins and have eternal life. Jesus IS the LIGHT of the world...

John 1:4-5

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

And the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not comprehend it."

John 1:6-8 tells us that John the Baptist came to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe, but John was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light...

Verse 9:

"That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

10.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him,

and the world did not know Him..."

Later, in John 1:29, John the Baptist was baptizing in the Jordan, and he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 

"Behold! The Lamb of God 

who takes away the sin of the world."

Jesus came to take away the sin of the world, through believing in Him...

Now what does this have to do with the questions above about whether or not it is okay to be gay?

I am attaching here a link to a list of Bible verses from God's Word that explain this better than I can:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-homosexuality/

Here is the list for you to look up and read as you are able:

James 4:12

Hebrews 13:1-5

John 8:7-11

Romans 1:26-28

Galatians 5:14

Jude 1:5-8

I Timothy 1:8-11

Mark 10:6-9

I Corinthians 7:2

Romans 13:8-10

I Corinthians 6:9-11

Leviticus 18:22

I Corinthians 6:17-20

Leviticus 20:13

God's Word "reveals His plan for humanity and His intentions for marriage and sexuality".  The Bible clearly teaches that homosexual acts are sinful, but the Bible also teaches us that there is hope and redemption for those who repent, or turn away from  their sins.  

In the book of John 8:1-11, Jesus is talking to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and was about to be stoned.  After He said to the people holding the stones, (verse 7) 

"He who is without sin among you, 

let him throw a stone at her first"

the people all one by one dropped their stones and walked away, being convicted by their own consciences...(for ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God! (Romans 3:23)  But then in verse 10, Jesus stood up and looked at the woman and said to her:

"Woman, where are those accusers of yours?  

Has no one condemned you?"

She said, "No one, Lord. 

And Jesus said to her, 

"Neither do I condemn you; 

GO AND SIN NO MORE."

That's the part that all the gay-rights people seem to miss when they read their Bibles...Jesus didn't just say to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you," and leave her there in her sins...no, He tells her to "Go, and SIN NO MORE."    

Sadly so many today do not view homosexuality as a sin.  They believe they were born that way, and that they have no control over their sexuality.  Same with the transgender people...they want to be what they were not intended to be. (Recommended reading of Psalm 139:13-16) There are also those who say they are "bisexual".  I don't quite understand that one...it sounds like an excuse to "love the one you're with".   Which all points back to promiscuity and sexual behavior that is not in keeping with the way God intended man and woman to live and enjoy one another in the blessed relationship of marriage. 

Genesis 1:27-28

"So God created man in His own image;

in the image of God He created him;

MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 

"Be fruitful and multiply..."

Genesis 2:23-24

"And Adam said;

This is now bone of my bones

 and flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man."

"Therefore a man shall leave his 

father and mother and be joined to his wife,

and they shall become one flesh."

 

Here are some warnings  and instruction regarding attempting to change the Word of God to meet your own devices:

Deuteronomy 4:2 states:

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."

Proverbs 30:5-6

"Every word of God is pure;

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Do not add to His words,

Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."

II Timothy 3:13-17

"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,

deceiving and being deceived.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of,

knowing from whom you have learned them,

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

God's Word is true.  Jesus said in John 17:17

"Sanctify them by Your truth.

Your Word is truth."

Now, I have a grave concern regarding those who would actually teach little children that it is okay to be "gay", or to change their gender, or any other of these abominations...you will have to answer to God for these lies.    Listen to what Jesus had to say about this:

Matthew 18:3-6

3.  "Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted 

and become as little children, 

you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

4.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5.  Whoever receives one little child like this 

in My name receives Me.

6.  BUT WHOEVER CAUSES ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHO BELIEVE IN ME TO SIN,

IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR HIM IF A MILLSTONE WERE HUNG AROUND HIS NECK, AND HE WERE DROWNED IN THE DEPTH OF THE SEA."

Those are pretty strong words, but this is what Jesus said, not me.

So, if you believe any part of the Bible at all, you cannot dismiss this warning.  Blind teachers who are teaching against the truth of God's Word and leading little children and young people to sin by telling them that being "gay is okay", when it clearly is NOT, is guilty of causing that child to sin.

Okay, I've said my piece. As you can tell, I must feel this pretty strongly as my writing has gotten larger and larger.  But it is a serious issue, and especially when young people are being led astray every single day by teachers and even pastors and Bible teachers and youth leaders who are teaching this false and evil doctrine as though it were the truth.  This is a very grievous act to have on one's conscience.  Sadly, those who do it think they are in the right.  May God open their eyes to the truth of what God's Word clearly teaches.

I know there will be many who disagree with what I've written. I am turning off comments on this post because I want it to be something that we each read and think about and pray about, but I don't want to set up a forum for those who what to spread more hatred and lies.   I do not hate those who say they are "gay", and neither does God hate the person.  But Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins.  Homosexuality and other such aberrations of human sexuality is sinful behavior. It is not a birthright. Christ loves all sinners, but He gave His life on the cross so that we would be set free from the bondage of our sins. 

Back to my original verse:

“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord."

Lord, I pray that "The words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Amen