March 2010
The Danger of Compromise with Cultural Corruption
We are to be in the world but not of the world – and we are to separate ourselves from the deceptive philosophies and evil practices of this “cosmos” – worldly system. Kenneth Beckman consistently drilled into us – his students at BBC – “When you compromise, you become part of the problem you once sought to solve.” Thank you, Kenny! It’s so true.
Consider these scriptures:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
“Therefore ‘come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (NKJV)
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:8-10 (NKJV)
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
It was compromise with corrupt culture that ruined the worship and morals of Israel and led to the destruction of the nation by foreign powers over and over. Likewise, with God’s people in Christ’s church through the ages, the corruption of cultural compromise has been, and continues to be more devastating than the external forces of persecution and ridicule.
When discussing Biblical topics it is a wise practice to call Bible topics by Bible names. In fact,
1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” (NKJV) The footnote for oracles says, “utterances.” God speaks about homosexuality as the practice of sodomy and as an abomination – never as “being gay.” The common re-definition of the word “gay” to mean homosexual came out of the homosexual activists’ propaganda tool book to change America’s thinking. They also taught that “being gay” is a matter of “being born that way,” and cannot be changed. How strange – I have friends who are ex-homosexual, but I don’t have any friends who are ex-black. Skin color is genetic. Committing sodomy is sinful practice. True repentance brings change. All human beings are born with a corrupted nature that is attracted to sin. Some temptations are stronger to one than another – but we are all responsible for our choices. However, I don’t read of “Thief Pride Parade,” “Liar Pride Month,” or “Celebrate Adultery Week.” Truly “they glory in their shame,” as the Bible says.
I’ve noticed that instead of accepting the clear teaching of Leviticus 18:22 that homosexuality is an “abomination,” and the teaching of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 that those who practice such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” some choose to re-interpret the Word of God according to “science” in order to arrive at what they choose to believe. It is interesting that Paul wrote, “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and vain babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (science / KJV) by professing it, some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NKJV) And since that verse ends with grace, it is also appropriate to remember that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV) Parading with pride in our rebellion will always meet the resistance of God – and ultimately His wrath – but when we humbly repent and confess our sin and need to Him – then His arms are open to receive us and forgive us by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.
We received the following quote by email recently, and it just seems to fit with what I have been writing about.
“I believe…that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.”
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The Greatest Threat to Freedom
Alan Sears, leader of Alliance Defense Fund, said on a Focus on the Family interview (February 18, 2010) that the greatest threat to freedom of religion and freedom of speech in America is coming from homosexual “rights” activists. He knows – he has been battling these issues in court for years. Pray for him! Pray for ADF! Last month I wrote about the sanctity of life issue and this month the sanctity of sexuality and the sanctity of liberty. These are the big three issues in the Manhattan Declaration. Have you signed on yet? Go to www.ManhattanDeclaration.org.
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Health Care Crisis – or Culture Crisis
A friend sent us a copy of an insightful letter by a young physician. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House accurately puts the blame on a “Culture Crisis” instead of a “Health Care Crisis”.
“Dear Mr. President:
“During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone. While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as ‘Medicaid’! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.
“And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman’s health care? I contend that our nation’s ‘health care crisis’ is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a ‘crisis of culture’, a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one’s self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that ‘I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me’. Once you fix this ‘culture crisis’ that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you’ll be amazed at how quickly our nation’s health care difficulties will disappear.
Respectfully,
STARNER JONES, MD”
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