Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The Bible is very clear on a certain lifestyle that is being promoted by politicians, doctors and nurses as well as school teachers. The Bible refers to this lifestyle as abominable and covenant breakers. The Bible identifies them as sodomites. It is a name given from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha which were destroyed by God for this wicked lifestyle. The current newly elected mayor of Winnipeg was at one time a Pentecostal preacher. He was asked about his views on sodomy prior to this election. He stated that his views have changed over time. He has no problem with this wicked lifestyle. He has proved what is really going on in his heart. I read this week, of a sports person who claims to be a Christian who refused to wear the sodomite uniform with his team. Apparently he has even received death threats because of this choice. The sad reality is that this man is a very confused Christian if he even is one. He took his stand against the sodomite agenda, which is a good thing. The closing verses of our text tell us that these wicked people are not content to defy God themselves. They try to get others to do the same and they take pleasure in their wickedness. A news reporter who got quite involved in this situation stated that Christian players are hypocrites because they have no problem wearing uniforms that advertise gambling and alcohol. This professing Christian player responded to these accusations by stating that the Bible warns against drunkenness and gambling, but nowhere does it prohibit it. This professing Christian claimed the news reporter was quote: “an idiot”. I would not call this professing Christian that, but I would state that he is behaving like a fool. The Bible warns against drunkenness and it warns those who would give a neighbour alcoholic drink. Proverbs 20:1 states:
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
God has a much different definition of drunkenness than society does. He tells us that the person who partakes in wine and strong drink is deceived. A person does not need to get to the place where they cannot walk a straight line to be deceived. He or she is deceived at the moment that they partake of this poison. In fact Proverbs 23 commands us not to look on the alcoholic drink. A born again Christian knows that alcoholic drink is poison for the body and the soul and he or she would never condone the use of it. This professing Christian sports person is definitely deceived. He may even be deceived into believing he is a Christian when he is not. It is his foolish thinking and comments that give license to reporters to call Christians hypocrites. It is important for Christians to stop and think. The root word of Christian is Christ. Jesus Christ never partook of alcoholic drink. He was accused of:
Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Jesus did not go into a bar to meet with publicans and sinners. He sat in public places with them and the hypocrites of that time, who were looking for anything they could find to discredit Him, accused Him of being a sinner. They could have known better but they did not want to know better. We need to know the truth and take our side on the side of Jesus Christ if indeed we are Christians. We do not need to find a way to cozy up to the world. We need to be separate from the world and we need to glorify God in our lives. James was directed to write:
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
When God’s people honour the God Who saved them, they can have a voice to the many lost people around them. When they claim to be God’s people and choose to be friends of the world, they give the devil much fodder to use against the God Who will judge the quick and the dead. Those who are saved, are given the love of God in their hearts. That love will guide them to seek to help lost people to know God’s peace and blessing. Don’t be fooled by those who make claims without demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit. Pastor Bartel
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