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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).
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June 18, 2000
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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
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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.
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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
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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!
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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
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