An abomination now, judgment is sure to come
I was both saddened and dismayed to read of the recent remarks of Rick Warren with regard to speaking out on what the Bible has to say about sin issues such as homosexuality and the issue of gay “marriage.” Over the years, I have greatly admired Pastor Rick Warren for his obvious success as a best selling author, a trail blazing innovator in Christendom, and an overall kind-spirited, good guy.
Recently, I read that Rick Warren stated that standing against homosexuality is not a part of his “agenda.” While I have no “agenda” against anyone, my overriding agenda is to proclaim God’s infallible Word. The Bible is remarkably clear about homosexuality. We learn from the writings of Moses that homosexuality is called “… an abomination” (Lev. 18:22).
Centuries later, the Apostle Paul spoke out against the sin of homosexuality along with other sins, too. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Paul wrote this to Christians. He warned them (and us) not be “deceived.” It seems to me that more and more people claim to be Christians while failing to “believe” the Bible. We need Christians to become “believers.” I have no “agenda” that is against anyone; I simply have an “agenda” to let God’s Word be known.
Once upon a time there were cities known as Sodom and Gomorrah. Today, there is San Francisco, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa. The moral fabric of America is unraveling from the consequences of sin. As Robert Bork suggested in his cerebral book, we are Slouching Towards Gomorrah. Our nation once sang of God’s Glory glowing through the brotherhood of Americans from sea to shining sea. American patriots marched in Abraham Lincoln’s day to the Gospel song: “Glory, glory, Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.” But today, we have traded “His truth” for acceptance from those identified as a group based upon a behavior God’s Word calls “an abomination.” Some will protest that they were “born” that way. Actually, they have a limited point. We are all, indeed, born into sin. But, when we repent of our sin and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we can be forgiven of our sin and enjoy eternal life with God in Heaven. Now, we are near the tipping point once warned by Ronald Reagan: “If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then – we will be a nation gone under.”
Historically, when a nation plunges into this sort of “abomination,” judgment befalls them in the form of foreign policy disasters. I pray for the mercy of God upon our nation. God has blessed America; it is time now for America to bless God – again. (Bruce McCoy is president of the Missouri Baptist Convention and pastor of Canaan Baptist Church, St. Louis.)