How many of us sometimes “overlook the obvious”? A case in point is the unbiblical reasoning that led the Episcopal Church in the United States to elect an openly homosexual priest as a bishop.
The newly elected bishop said that “his opponents were right that the decision was contrary to the church’s traditional teaching against homosexuality. ‘Just simply to say that it goes against tradition and the teaching of the church and Scripture does not necessarily make it wrong,’ he said. ‘We worship a living God, and that living God leads us into truth.’” (The Charlotte Observer, “Episcopal vote OKs 1st openly gay bishop,” p. 9A, August 6, 2003).
But is the new bishop overlooking an obvious truth? Read Romans 1:24–26. The Apostle Paul plainly labels homosexuality and its practice as “vile passions” and further states that those who “dishonor their bodies among themselves… exchanged the truth of God for the lie.” How can one who believes the Bible support a “lie”? Yet, that is exactly what is happening! A church is supporting a “lie” by calling it a new truth! Incredible!
The Bible plainly teaches that homosexuality is sin. By supporting homosexuality as “truth” these people are admitting that they do not accept the Bible—Old Testament or New Testament—as the authoritative Word of the Creator God. The Apostle Peter wrote of Paul’s epistles, “which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16). Homosexual clerics and their followers are overlooking the obvious, by twisting and even rejecting Scripture “to their own destruction.”
Why do so many people reject the Ten Commandments? Are they influenced by a “spirit of error?” Let us understand. There are unseen forces persuading millions of professing Christians to sin. As the Apostle Paul wrote, concerning those who allow themselves to be blinded spiritually: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age [Satan, the devil] has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4).
Sexual immorality is increasing in our Western world as media broadcast the false doctrine that society is free to follow unbridled passions. Willing millions become slaves to sin, and seek to justify their own wickedness. Hoping to rationalize their licentious behaviors as “righteousness,” gullible people follow false ministers in the name of Christianity. As the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:30–31). God will judge those who overlook the obvious teachings of His Word. Jeremiah records God’s judgment: “‘Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’” (v. 29).
God plainly states that homosexual behaviors are an “abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). Nations whose people are encouraging religious and legal approval of homosexual unions, will pay the penalty for transgressing the laws of God. May our peoples wake up to the truth. May they reject the smooth persuasions of those who turn light into darkness. As the prophet Isaiah declared: “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!” (Isaiah 5:20).
God’s judgment is coming! Do not be deceived by false doctrines that call sexual perversion “God’s gift.” Rather, seek God’s truth—in this matter as in all matters—and you will find true freedom (John 8:32, 31)! Do not overlook the obvious!
The above is an adaptation of one of the many commentaries, on key topics facing our world, available at the www.lcg.org and www.tomorrowsworld.org Web sites.