____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ July 5, 1992 ____________________________________________________ Homosexuality by Tom Edwards The world often becomes trend-crazy and, sad to say, this frequently leads one down paths of immorality and unrighteousness. We are the ``liberated generation'' some might announce. ``We are not shackled by outmoded ethical views. There is no right or wrong; it's all what you make of it,'' is another view that many would endorse. It seems more important to some to go the way of the crowd when it comes to moral issues--even if it means turning one's back on the word of God. Many people would have us to believe that homosexuality is a good alternative lifestyle and that we should have a tolerant, a condoning, or even a positive attitude toward such. But wait a minute here! The Bible declares that ''...no homosexual...shall inherit the kingdom of God'' (1 Cor. 6:9-10). This, therefore, is not a matter to be viewed in any other light than the light of God's word; and when we do, it is shown to be a sin that will keep one eternally banished from heaven and the spiritual blessings of the Lord. I remember a man I worked for mentioning years ago of certain churches who were starting to use homosexuals in the ministry. He clarified that these were not ``practicing homosexuals.'' I thought of that only briefly and then blurted out, ``Does that mean they can still think about it?'' Though this might sound silly, it does imply a need for an inward change that can help the person to be completely transformed. While living in Dunedin, Florida, I once picked up a hitchhiker long ago and drove him to his home. On the way there, we had been discussing the Bible; and he invited me in. I soon learned that he was gay: he had also mentioned of a religious group he attended that had several homosexuals in it. This seemed so contradictory to me. Though some things might be hard to understand in the Scriptures, this particular subject is very clear. Asking for his Bible, I wanted to turn to a passage that spoke of this, but he had literally ripped that page from the book. Undoubtedly, he understood what it had said, but did not want to accept what it meant. It seems terrible that anyone would intentionally tear a part out of the Bible because the person does not accept or want to accept what is being taught on that page. For one to do such, who claims to be a Christian, is not only shocking, but also blasphemous. What is the difference, however, if we literally rip the page out of God's holy word or figuratively do so by acting as if it were not even there at all? There is good news and hope for the homosexual. In the same context that shows of no gay person being able to enter heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10), mention is also made that such were some of these Corinthians, but they had been changed by the transforming power of the gospel. They had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. God can give each one of us a new life if we will turn to Him through faith and obedience to His word. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, ''...if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.'' This is why Jesus came into this world of sin and shame, so that we might have this new life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). The change might not be easy. There are many sinful lifestyles today that people have become so ingrained with that repentance is a difficult ordeal. Consider the person who has given himself to a life of alcoholism. What a struggle it must be for one to give this up. Or what about the person who has become addicted to drugs? addicted to a playboy lifestyle? addicted to pornography? or addicted to any other sinful vice? Repentance can be difficult, and commitment to God can be a challenge; but if one loves the Lord and truly wants to live for God during this life and spend an eternity in heaven in the great by and by, these struggles and challenges will all be worthwhile. Let's forget the way of the crowd and their loose views toward morality and religion and accept the way of Jesus, for His is the only way that leads to everlasting life. Whatever state we are in as sinners, Christ came for us to redeem and transform our lives for the better. Don't reject His love for you. ___________________________________________ POWER OF THE WRITTEN WORD Gospel tracts utilize the power of the written word. Here are several reasons that tracts can be effective tools in spreading the Word. * The written word knows no fear...It flinches in the face of no man. It preaches the same message to the rich and the poor, the King and the commoner. * It never loses its temper...Never talks back in anger. * It takes no notes of scoffs, jeers, and insults. * It never tires, but works 24 hours a day, even while we sleep and rest. * It is never discouraged, but will tell its story over and over again. * It will speak to one as willingly as to a multitude, and to a multitude as willingly as to one. * It always catches a person in just the right mood to be receptive, for it only speaks as he chooses to listen. * It can be received, read, and studied in secret. * It gets undivided attention in the quiet hours. * It speaks without a foreign accent. * The written word is more permanent than the human voice. * It never compromises...never changes its message. * It continues to speak and make its message plain after audible words have been forgotten and lost. * It is greatly appreciated by citizens in any country. * It is immune to all disease. -- from Spreading the Word ___________________________________________ "Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me'" (John 14:23,24). "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love" (John 15:2,4,10). ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________