____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 18, 2000 ____________________________________________________ In Defense of Discrimination by Andy Diestelkamp Many today have a misinformed view of what has been called the separation of church and state. The modern application of that phrase has been to ``protect'' the political process from the influence of spiritual ideas and values. Some would prefer that the moral beliefs of the governed not be allowed to affect the government. The founders of this nation made it abundantly clear that this was not their intent. Thomas Jefferson, in his first inaugural address, said, ``May that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.'' In his second inaugural address he expressed his need for ``the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and to whose goodness I ask you to join with me in supplications, that He will so enlighten the minds of your servants, guide their councils, and prosper their measures.'' Still, many today will try to insist that ``religious'' types should stay out of politics and go back to their pulpits. Are ``political'' types willing to stay out of spiritual and moral matters? I think not, nor should they. Law making without moral foundation results in bad law. Likewise, preaching which does not address immorality is impotent. Recently the Illinois House attempted to amend its Human Rights Act to make it unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his or her ``sexual orientation.'' The bill had bi-partisan support and was narrowly defeated. Similar bills will be introduced in each state. Thus, I would like to offer a few words on behalf of discrimination. Discrimination has taken on an exclusively ugly connotation in our culture. ``Discrimination is bad,'' we are told. To discriminate is simply to distinguish or differentiate. We do this all the time and often for good reason. An inability to discriminate is an inability to appreciate. When one cannot discriminate between good and evil, amorality exists. ``Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!'' (Isa. 5:20). In other words, woe to those who cannot discriminate. The Illinois bill seeks to end discrimination on the basis of ``sexual orientation,'' or so it says. It reads, ```Sexual orientation' means having or being perceived as having an emotional, physical, or sexual attraction to another person without regard to the sex of that person or having or being perceived as having an orientation for such attraction, or having or being perceived as having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with ones biological maleness or femaleness.'' I am amused by those who complain that we can't understand the Bible, but then write the nonsense just quoted. ``Sexual orientation'' according to the bill simply means sexual deviancy. The sexually immoral have cowed many politicians and now want to intimidate the rest of us with the force of law to accept their deviant ``lifestyles'' on all levels. It does not want us to discriminate on the basis of sexual deviancy. Are we to believe that marriage as ordained by God between a male and a female (Gen. 2:22-24; Matt. 19:4-6) is merely a tradition to which there are legitimate alternative ``sexual orientations''? Scripture does not endorse such an indiscriminate view of sexual morality. Society's acceptance and protection of sexual deviancy devalues the God-designed family and destabilizes its position as the moral foundation of communities. Just because lawmakers and even religious leaders have bought and sold immorality under the banner of ``love'' doesn't mean they do so with God's support. Murderers, thieves, liars and others have often attempted to justify their sins by pointing to love as their motivation. It is no surprise that the sexually deviant do likewise. True love does not tolerate immorality, but calls for change in heart and action. True love promotes good over evil and can discriminate between the two. What I found particularly interesting about the Illinois bill (HB 0474) is that it blatantly discriminates in its definition of ``sexual orientation.'' The last sentence of its definition says, ```Sexual orientation' does not include a physical or sexual attraction to a minor by an adult.'' In other words, the law allows discrimination against pedophiles. How intolerant! The law is very discriminatory in which sexual deviancies it will protect and which it will not. Perhaps in a few years another house bill will amend the Illinois Human Rights Act by dropping that one sentence. Remember, ``Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge'' (Heb. 13:4). ``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). The truth of Romans 1:18-32 is unfolding before our eyes in this country. Beware! -- Via Think on These Things, April-May-June, 1999 ___________________________________________ The Collection by Tom Edwards I read recently of a young boy who was sent to church with some money to put into the collection plate. When he had returned home, his mother soon found out that he had used that money to buy candy instead. Displeased with what he had done, his mother rhetorically asked, ``Son, weren't you supposed to put that money in the collection plate?'' To this, the small boy replied, ``I didn't need to. I met the preacher at the door, and he got me in for free!'' Our young person in the above illustration certainly had a misconception about the purpose for giving; and, sad to say, there are many other people who also have wrong ideas as to how the Lord's money is to be used today. Some, for example, feel comfortable with seeing it used for social and recreational activities, sponsored by the church. The building of gymnasiums, putting in basketball courts and pool tables, building kitchens and fellowship halls for banquets are not uncommon for some churches to do in our time. In these cases, however, they would be similar to the boy above; but, though, they would give into the collection, they would then turn around and take some back out to buy their ``candy.'' Instead, however, of using the Lord's money for just anything we assume is a ``good work,'' we must look to the Scriptures to see what that good work would be. For as Paul told Timothy, ``All scripture is given by inspiration of God...That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works'' (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Consequently, if God's word doesn't authorize it, then it can't be a ``good work'' for the church to do. The work of the church involves evangelism, edification, and helping needy saints. To use ``gimmicks'' to try to accomplish these things, such as thinking that ``a recreational center might bring more people in,'' does not justify it. For before any expedient to promote the work of the Lord can be used, it must first be lawful--scripturally. To use the Lord's money for anything which is not authorized is, therefore, a misuse. People need to know that there is a distinction between what one can do with his money and what the Lord's money can be used for. For instance, if I want to treat a dozen people to ice cream, I can do that with my own money; but when I give that money to the Lord (in the collection), it then becomes His and can be used only for that which He authorizes--and an ice cream social sponsored by the church is certainly not one of them. Another perversion of the collection today, among many denominations, is the practice of tithing, which they teach as a commandment of God for our time--and, therefore, a necessity. A ``tithe,'' which literally means a ``tenth,'' would be 10% of a person's income that is to be given to the Lord; and any amount given above this 10% is sometimes referred to as a ``love offering,'' by many of our denominational friends, ``a giving beyond that which the Lord demands.'' Though Jesus taught the need for tithing during the Mosaical Age (Matt. 23:23), people today need to realize that it--along with the other Mosaical laws--was nailed to the cross and, thus, abolished for the Gospel Age in which we live (Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:15,16). Furthermore, to try to seek justification through the Law of Moses would cause one to become ``severed from Christ,'' ``fallen from grace,'' and to make the Lord of no effect or benefit in one's life (Gal. 5:1-4). Rather than commanded a certain percent, as a tithe, the Christian is to give ''...as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver'' (2 Cor. 9:7). The amount given, therefore, is between the giver and the Lord. The giver gives as he has been prospered, and this might be 10%; but, if so, it is to be mere coincidental and not because of the tithe of the Old Testament law. For though tithing is not commanded today, giving is; and when it comes to the collection, we are to lay by in store on the first day of the week, Sunday, in order that there will be a treasury that can be used to facilitate the contributions for the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 16:1-3). We can be very thankful in our giving, in view of what God has given to us--not 10%, 20%, or 30% of His Son, but ALL of Jesus came to this world to pave a way that leads to our eternal salvation by His obedient life, His sacrificial death, and His glorious resurrection. Surely, there is no way we could ever return to God, through our giving, all that He truly deserves. For His great offering--as well as the eternal bliss to which it leads--is worth more than all the treasures in the universe! In promoting the work of the Lord, let us, therefore, learn to give in the manner and for the purposes that God has commanded--for it is simply the right thing to do. ___________________________________________ Was Paul Crucified For You? In order to show the folly of following men in religion instead of Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul asked the following questions: ``Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?'' Give some thought to one of these questions. ``Was Paul crucified for you?'' Was Paul tried before Pilate, mocked by the soldiers, spit upon by the multitude, nailed to the cross of Golgotha, and was he the one to bear on the cross the sins of the human family? If not, why wear his name in religion? This is the point of Paul's argument. Why the people would ignore the name of Jesus Christ and insist on wearing a human name was, no doubt, difficult for Paul to understand. And it is likewise hard to understand why men today will wear the name of a man, or some religious practice, knowing full well that it was Christ who was crucified for them. Friend, if you are wearing a religious name that is not found in the New Testament and, therefore, does not give honor to the Christ, please carefully consider and give serious thought to Paul's question. -- Selected ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Jo Ann Wilson, a nurse from Louisville who visited with us recently, is now undergoing testing for a severe case of anemia, which she has had for the last few weeks. Though received a blood transfusion, she still remains too ill to return to work. Let us pray for a speedy and complete recovery. Free Bible courses are available upon request. We welcome those of you who are visiting with us this day. Please come again! ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________