January 7, 2020 – Click here to listen
So now after years of infighting the United Methodists are going to divide over the ordination of homosexual priests and conducting same sex weddings. The move to split one of the largest denominations in the United States comes after last year’s special session of the United Methodist General Conference after strengthening its bans on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ United Methodists.
The approval of the so-called Traditional Plan has been met with resistance from progressive and moderate members of the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States. This latest proposal to split the denomination would need approval at the regular meeting of the General Conference, United Methodists’ global decision-making body, to be held this May in Minneapolis.
It is absolutely amazing to me that according to polls the most admired man in the United States is Obama. Before he was elected this guy stated he was against gay marriage. After the election it became obvious that was just clever politics designed to get more of the black vote and championed same sex marriage. Using his powerful office and a bevy of Democrats the United States became the first nation in the history of the world to sanction it. He of course later bathed the Whiteh House in the gay flag color arrangement as a celebration and ordered our facilities all over the world to hoist a flag commemorating the occasion.
At the time approximately 25% of our population was in favor of it; today it’s more like 72%. He also announced that the United States was no longer a Christian nation. Sadly, he was probably telling the truth on that one as more and more people are condoning sin of every description from abortion, to same sex unions, to legalized drugs, to pornography, and immoral acts so lewd I cannot even mention them in this column. This attitude was once confined to those outside the church, but they targeted churches and today it appears they are succeeding in dividing churches of every description.
I read the other day where some liberal Democrat was bitterly complaining because the constitution and the Bible haven’t changed, and they are archaic now and not modern enough for our society. The Bible is God’s Holy Word and it does not change. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” While the Bible was completed approximately 1900 years ago, its accuracy and relevance for today remain unchanged. The Bible is the sole objective source of all the revelation God has given us about Himself and His plan for humanity. It will remain the same as it was 1000 years ago 1000 years from now and throughout eternity. This is not a book of suggestions. It is law set down by God Himself and there are serious consequences for ignoring them. Yes our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, but we are to repent and follow Christ.
The Bible is not a history book, a psychology text, or a scientific journal. The Bible is the description God gave us about who He is, and His desires and plans for humanity. The most significant component of this revelation is the story of our separation from God by sin and God’s provision for restoration of fellowship through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Our need for redemption does not change. Neither does God’s desire to reconcile us to Himself. The falling away of the church is predicted in the Bible and so is its punishment. These false preachers who lead the people into sin by twisting the Bible will pay a heavy price, but we are told to test their words. The best way to know the truth is to read the Bible for yourself. I urge you to begin reading a chapter a day right now at the beginning of the year. Study it, pray about it, and follow God and not this fallen world and its pseudo intellectual itching ears preachers.
Romans 1:21
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools,