Posted on 07/20/2015 8:11:08 AM PDT by Gamecock
Institutionalizing Sin
It is a very interesting time to be alive. By His grace, may God grant us an outpouring of His Holy Spirit in extra measure that we might resist every urge to accommodate to the philosophy of this age or remain silent on the new institutionalization of sin. Make no mistake, the recent Supreme Court ruling on re-defining marriage will have far-reaching ripple effects on every aspect of our society ... and it will require us as Christians to resist by disobeying every law which would force us to compromise the gospel. And while yesterday may have been a day of mourning for our country (it was for me), today and every day afterwards we should be emboldened to witness the truth of the gospel with a unquenchable fire in our belly. This may possibly be the best opportunity to witness to the reality of Jesus Christ we have ever had. Remember, God has ordained this circumstance, so If due to our convictions, we should suffer the loss of property (as some already have), intimidation, bullying, imprisonment and even violence we should not complain or give in, but, with God's help, willingly suffer for the truth and stand against injustice, continuing to love and pray for the blessing of those who oppose us. If God grants that we can witness this way en masse, the glory of God will shine forth. And I would encourage each and every one of you to take some time over the next few weeks to pray and fast for the people of our country - that God would have mercy on them and bring them to faith through our witness. And it should go without saying that we should be committed to taking care of one another. If someone among us should suffer we should all support them financially, spiritually and emotionally as our family members.
If anyone thinks I am overstating this, consider that the "Supreme Court has now, in constitutional doctrine, said that homosexuality is equivalent to race. The next goal of activists will be a long-term campaign to remove tax-exempt status [and deny accreditation] from dissenting religious institutions." (Rod Dreher)
Sadly, those who have pressed for the passage of this unjust law have done so disingenuously. They have characterized any and all differing points of view as hate and bigotry - instead of seeing us as really the only ones who truly love and care for them enough to suffer their insults while continuing to reach out a helping hand. They have also circumvented our constitutional system of gov't by getting some judges to abuse their power by over-ruling the will of the people in many states, including California. So-called progressives knew that wouldn't become a national policy if left to voters, if left to the discretion of the states. That's why they felt they had to do an end-run around the democratic process. That was the only way to impose a nation-wide policy.
The Establishment of a New Religion
Furthermore, on Friday, President Obama openly declared that Americans need to change their religious views to be accepting of gay marriage - that those who disagree with the idea of gay marriage based on their religious views, must change to be more like progressives who accept gay marriage. He then encouraged gay marriage supporters to "help” people overcome their deeply-held religious views. We have already seen what this "help" in overcoming deeply held religious beliefs looks like (bullying and intimidation).
As for what most likely will begin happening after the ruling, Robert Gagnon said,
"As individuals, people of faith will be aggressively indoctrinated, fined, denied advancement, fired, intimidated, and subjected to ceaseless verbal abuse in public and private schools, at institutions of higher learning, at places of employment in public and private sectors, and throughout the main communication organs of the media and entertainment industry. Their institutions and businesses will be set on a collision course with the state: denied government funding, contracts, and loans; denied accreditation and tax-exempt status; and subjected to government harassment."
Is this not the very definition of the establishment of a state tyranny? Ironically, in the past, progressives professed to believe in the separation of church and state but now the truth of their agenda is being revealed - the establishment of a state religion. But should Obama and the US government be in the business of telling Americans what they "must" or "must not" believe, especially with regard to their deepest held convictions? Was our constitutional republic not founded on principles which, above all, should avoid establishing one religion i.e. one group or belief system having a monopoly on power? These kind statements by any President should raise red flags for all Americans. Was not the original purpose of the separation of church and state, balance of power, and rule of law established so that no single person or group of sinful people would be given too much power? And now Americans have seemingly passively received this change without blinking an eye? As we all know, the Bible rightly declares that all people are sinful - therefore no one group should be given that much power. Human history has repeatedly demonstrated this to be a disastrous course of action.
Look at this carefully. Obama and the LGBT lobby not only wants to see these kinds of same-sex unions to be legal but they want universal acceptance. But why? Why can't we just live together in society and have different opinions and convictions about things? No. That does not seem to be enough for them. We must be coerced and bullied and be assimilated into group think by the thought police and it will reach down even into the education of our children. It would seem to be no overstatement that freedom of conscience is really a thing of the past.
What should Christians do about it? Some leaders will think that we should simply accommodate and remain silent as if this will bring people to faith but the Bible is clear that we should steadfastly non-violently resist any attempt to silence us, and if what Gagnon predicts actually happens on a large scale, the greatest possible witness we can give of the reality of Jesus Christ is to value the very souls of those who oppose us more than we value our own livelihood, property and our lives. God will attract people to the faith through people of Christian conviction but those who accommodate will simply show there is no truth to their religion. If loss is what it takes so be it. So who among you will join me in prayer and fasting for our neighbors and for the strength to resist all attempts at our assimilation to the spirit of this age? Following Jesus Christ was never billed as the path of least resistance.
Furthermore, on Friday, President Obama openly declared that Americans need to change their religious views to be accepting of gay marriage - that those who disagree with the idea of gay marriage based on their religious views, must change to be more like progressives who accept gay marriage. He then encouraged gay marriage supporters to "help” people overcome their deeply-held religious views. We have already seen what this "help" in overcoming deeply held religious beliefs looks like (bullying and intimidation).
The typical liberal line. If we were just “a little bit smarter”, we’d be just like them.
It is a comfort to know that where we are headed, we won’t have to worry about such things. It’s a long wait, though. Come, Lord Jesus.
To me the Dragon that must be slain is Political Correctness, and God may well have chosen his champion in that with Trump, time will tell.
We’ve been on the road to perdition for a while now as a nation. Homosexuality is a judgment from God, and we aren’t going to successfully fight God. That is not to say churches should be performing same sex weddings, they shouldn’t. That does mean that we should turn away from sin and turn toward God. Idolatry is a huge problem in our society, we have a problem on the whole with our priorities. That is the message which should be blasted from every pulpit!
We should avail ourselves of the best attorneys we can find and hang on. We should not throw up our hands and assume we will lose!
“It is a comfort to know that where we are headed, we won’t have to worry about such things. It’s a long wait, though. Come, Lord Jesus.”
Amen, Brother. To be freed forever from this fallen world and to be with the Lord and his saints! In my right mind I do hope and pray for the salvation of hostile unbelievers (including Obama & Co.). Yet, when God shuts the door on this age, I will shout for joy in a victory that includes the destruction of all His foes.
“To me the Dragon that must be slain is Political Correctness, and God may well have chosen his champion in that with Trump, time will tell.”
I like the idea of God using a Trump as a big stick in the eye of all the wannabe patricians.
These guys have been merrily preaching the equivalence of all religions and they have in truth been trying to make self worship the new state religion. Along comes Donald Trump, gleefully refusing to dance to the tune they are piping. It really is a sight to behold and I think we can take courage in it :)
**BTW I’m a practicing Catholic**
Then I must ask you to respect the Protestant Caucus designation and not post here.
I will join you.
Sorry with the exception of calling Democrats Godless liars declaring war on all Christianity. While sharing your concerns and declaring how I am protesting. There was no theological value assertion made against anyone or offense intended in my announcement.
1. Monergism.com is a Reformed (Protestant) website.
2. The poster designated it as a Protestant Caucus thread.
When is Obama gonna demand that mosques do gay weddings?
’m confused. How can this be a Protestant Caucus ...1. Monergism.com is a Reformed (Protestant) website.
2. The poster designated it as a Protestant Caucus thread.
#2, Because Gamecock said it is, and the views of non-caucus members are not discussed.
I think we will soon find out which Churches will stick to sound doctrine and pay the price, and which will go along with the ways of the world....
God grant us the strength to stand for Truth.
I don’t think we are in disagreement. I was pointing out that the source was from a Reformed website.
“At his execution, he withdrew his forced confession, and proclaimed the truth of the Protestant faith. He placed his hand in the fire, the hand with which he had falsely signed his renouncement of his beliefs, and said, “I have sinned, in that I signed with my hand what I did not believe with my heart. When the flames are lit, this hand shall be the first to burn”.
And when the fire was lit around his feet, he leaned forward and held his right hand in the fire until it was charred to a stump. Aside from this, he did not speak or move, except that once he raised his left hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. With that gesture, the government’s hope of quelling the Protestant Reformation was lost.”
http://www.thetudorswiki.com/page/Thomas+Cranmer+-+Historical+Profile
That is the sort of witness we must make. It is not time for silence or lying low. Speaking for myself personally, I often put my faith in America instead of in God. If the sinfulness of our nation causes more of us to focus on God instead of man, then revival may come. But if it does not, let at least our witness burn bright.
This is not, first and foremost, a political battle. This is a spiritual battle. I’m all in favor of fighting the political side as well, but victory or defeat comes from revival - or not. And ultimately, our witness IS our victory. We are meant for another world...
The Establishment of a New Religion.....
‘On Friday, President Obama openly declared that... Americans need to “change their religious views”.... to be accepting of gay marriage - that those who disagree with the idea of gay marriage ‘based on their religious views’, must change.... “to be more like progressives”.... who accept gay marriage.
He then encouraged gay marriage supporters to “help” people “overcome their deeply-held religious views”...
We have already seen what this “help” in overcoming deeply held religious beliefs looks like (bullying and intimidation).”
It’s teachers are a professional class of academic reformers and social workers, along with middle-class women connected to’ moral reform’ associations.
Progressive’s have a deep belief in the centrality of the instruction to “love one another”......and an openness to questioning and an insistence upon “intellectual rigor” along with acceptance of all people who have differing understandings of the concept of “God”.
They commit to helping the poor,solidarity with the poor but as the subjects of ‘their own emancipation’....as well support for LGBT rights and affirmation, including, but not limited to, marriage equality, affirmation of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals ‘as authentic Christians’,....and affirmation of trans identity etc.
.... emphasizes salvation here and now instead of primarily in heaven later; emphasizes being saved for robust, abundant/eternal life over being saved from hell;......
emphasizes the social/communal aspects of salvation instead of merely the personal;.... stresses social justice as integral to discipleship;...... embraces reason as well as paradox and mystery — instead of blind allegiance to rigid doctrines and dogmas;.... does not consider homosexuality to be sinful; and does not claim that Christianity is the only valid or viable way to connect to God.
If only we elect the right person.
If only we enact this law or do away with that one.
Guilty.
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