I pray that this will be read with both love and urgency. Come soon, Lord Jesus.

I received a letter from my home church this month it read:

Many of you are aware of the recent action of the ELCA during its recent assembly, but for those who may not have heard, a brief recap. One of the proposed actions of the assembly was to either adopt or reject a social statement on human sexuality. The social statement was accepted and approved by exactly a 2/3 majority of those present and voting. Upon adoption of this statement, resolutions were introduced that stated:

1. "Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

2. "Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church."

These resolutions also were adopted and plans are being made to put these resolutions into practice.

For more information, please see

http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements/JTF-Human-Sexuality.aspx

I feel that this is important to note, historically and otherwise. Maybe it is a sign that the coming of our Lord is near. Either way, I am strongly convicted to post Scripture on the matter.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. -I Corinthians 6:9-11

We are clearly warned of the deception at hand. There is also no room for grey areas when it comes to things that are displeasing to God. This "social statement on human sexuality" is absolutely not the will of our Father, or anything even relatively close to what He desires for our lives as Believers. This "as Believers" part is of greatest importance. We are held to a higher standard because we have come to claim the Living Christ as our Savior. Verse 11 emphasizes the change in our lifestyle that comes with knowing Jesus is LORD, "that is what some of you were" (emphasis added). Were being past tense.

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. -Isaiah 43:18-19

A transition into a life with Christ is comparable to an oasis in a dry and desolate place.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. -II Corinthians 5:17

The illustration so commonly marked with this verse is that of a worm transforming into a beautiful butterfly! Our Lord is so capable of truly making all things new! Why would we allow the worm to remain in His presence?

In the same way, after the supper, He took the cup saying; "This is the new covenant in My blood which is poured out for you." -Luke 22:20

The sacrifice Christ made calls for a renewal of our lives. It is also grace enough.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. -Romans 8:1

Jesus' sacrifice is big enough to cover up any amount of any sin. Guilt for past sins is a delight to the Enemy. Again, Jesus makes all things new as He is the perfect atonement for all our sins.

I run the path or Your commands, for You have set my heart free. -Psalm 119:32

Because we find joy in the freedom we acknowledge in Christ, it is our desire to be obedient to His will. I pray that our lives would be pleasing to our Lord. Amen.

All this being said, there is a very distinct difference between Believers and Non-Believers. That "higher standard" I mentioned earlier comes into play here. Paul explains it perfectly:

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that cast you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slander, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. -I Corinthians 5:9-11

It is wrong for a person who is a part of the Church to call oneself a Christian and continue to take part in immoral lifestyles without repentance. An unrepentant lifestyle of a "Believer" is a soiled testimony to the name of Christ. When a Non-Believer sees that, they are lead to believe that that lifestyle is okay if it is permissible within the church. Dear friends, this must not be!

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you. -I Corinthians 5:12-13

Let us live lives of love and leave judgment up to God. Let us also live lives of discipline and hold one another accountable to God's will. The time to be "politically correct" is not now. Romans 2 tells all about judgement. It is indeed a reality. Some people may be tempted to take a more liberal viewpoint. A few Sundays back, my Pastor warned against this, "me and Jesus are going to figure this out" type of lifestyle. We cannot live without the guidelines that the Spirit wrote for us in Scripture. We must not allow this "everything goes" sort of attitude. Do not be deceived,

For God does not show favoritism. -Romans 2:11

Allowing these "social statements" within the Church is like planting a tree, knowing it will produce bad fruit.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

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. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" -Matthew 7:15-23

The "disciple whom Jesus loved" continues:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. -I John 4:1-2

Jesus Christ is the difference. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus tells His disciples signs of the end of the age.

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive... -Matthew 24:24

Let us not be deceived! Let us not open the doors of our Church to false prophets! Let us not forget what we are called to be!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of love and of power, and of self-discipline. -II Timothy 1:7