Posted on 08/04/2013 9:37:07 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper
Some have dived head first into the whole gay scene, apparently without hesitation. Others have been tugged in over a period of time, and then some are still “holding out.” Even the church can't deny that many within it are having tremendous struggles with homosexuality. Growing masses of gays are parading down the streets with banners, pursuing a new found freedom to do what they want. But the real things so many seek after - friendship, acceptance, and love - elude them, remaining just outside their reach.
A man who at one time had given himself over to seeking pleasure spoke the truth when he said that “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.”
Yeah, I don’t know where he’s coming from either, but I thought it would be interesting to find out. He sounded like he had put some thought into it, so I hope he answers.
John Michael Talbot [wrote] and i must say that keith was without question anti catholic, and most vehemently so. he was a radical who sometimes crossed over into fanaticism. this hurt many people. but he loved jesus dearly. he mellowed some before he died. had he lived longer i have no doubt that he would have become wiser in the way he presented his faith. https://www.facebook.com/johnmichaeltalbot/posts/10150672771470335
Evangelical model?
“I always thought that was temptation,”
Pacifists use that as an excuse, too. If we never take any action then we have no standards. I never can understand the lazy that claim to have standards but never take action. The Dr. Spock types.
What do you have against the worship of the Protestants/evangelicals? Outside of the rancor that sometimes crops up between their communion and the Roman Catholic communion?
Very well stated.
What is your ultimate wellspring of action, Toad? If it isn’t rooted in God then you are fooling yourself as to anything good.
IMHO, the larger sin is of our brethren believers who find it more reasonable to condone homosexuality simply as a comparative alternate lifestyle, instead of immediately condemning it as a sexually immoral perverted unrighteous way of thinking. They tend to be the same believers who also accept Islam as simply a comparative faith, living in a Judean-Christian culture, but not turning their thinking to the mind of Christ.
Try not to get carried away with the “philosophy of unprincipled men” (the principles intended in this context being those revealed by Jesus Christ). The trip might teach you something, but like hitting your head on a wall teaches you something.
To speak against the sin while championing the sinner is an art. It is not easy.
Keith Green was no jerk.
IMHO, the trick isn’t to focus on the sin as much as to focus on Christ, and by faith, courage is intuitive to the mature believer. Homosexuality then simply becomes an aberrant way of thinking independent of God.
If we can give cause or example for any sinner to reconsider the thinking provided to us by Christ, they also will change their thinking, provided they simply rest in faith in Christ and what He provides.
I think too many confuse acknowledgement of His existence as a substitute for belief.
“What do you have against the worship of the Protestants/evangelicals?”
She me where I complained about such.
“You choose to sin, you can choose not to as well.”
Ahhh...so you are sinless! Must be nice, being perfect.
But the Bible teaches us that man has a fallen nature. It is natural for man to sin. After conversion, the Holy Spirit helps us...and changes us, over time. But in this life, we still sin. And most of us have sins we prefer to others. I have no temptation to drink or gamble. I do have temptation to get angry - as I’ve proven on a number of ‘religion forum’ threads.
Apparently he was.
“Ahhh...so you are sinless! Must be nice, being perfect.”
Wrong conclusion there Friend. I know my sins but I can choose not to continue them and do. I sin as does everyone else. The difference is with homosexuals is that they continue to sin, demand others accept their sins, demand our children practice with them their sins, demand protections of their sins, etc, etc, etc. To me, that transcends sin and describes evil.
What ever one’s inclination to sin, we are called to be chaste, that is, to refrain from sexual activity outside of the sacrament of marriage.
CodeToad is right when he says we choose to sin. That is Biblical: Genesis 4:7
“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
One hopes we can find 10 virtuous men.
“I know my sins but I can choose not to continue them and do. I sin as does everyone else.”
Is sanctification instantaneous, or gradual? Does conversion result in our perfection?
“8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” - 1 John
“The difference is with homosexuals is that they continue to sin, demand others accept their sins, demand our children practice with them their sins...”
That does not describe a CONVERTED homosexual. A homosexual who repents and believes is likely to still struggle with temptation, and sometimes fail. But he can not be UN-repentant and Christian at the same time.
Do you believe man fell? Is the natural man a slave to sin?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.