The Divisive Issue In The Church

A Good Christian Ministry Made A Huge Mistake

Friends, the issue of homosexuality and same sex marriage are the most divisive issues in the Church. Yeshua/Jesus was divisive in his world because he spoke the truth and the world hated him. We can expect the true church to divide us from the rest of the world. True Christian doctrinal issues trump let’s all get along theology. This does not mean we hate the sinners involved in this sin because we are sinners and our sin is like filth before the eyes of the Lord.

Personally, I believe the anti-christ will be a homosexual. So the rise of homosexuality and same sex marriage is preparing the way for the anti-christ.

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Da 8:17  So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

Zechariah 11:17  Woe to the idol shepherd (anti-christ) that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Ro 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Ro 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Ro 1:31  Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

The following words are taken from the Core Values of World Vision, “We bear witness to the redemption offered only through faith in Jesus Christ. The staff we engage are equipped by belief and practice to bear this witness. We will maintain our identity as Christian while being sensitive to the diverse contexts in which we express that identity.” 

World Vision, is one of the most highly rated and respected Christian relief organizations in the world. World Vision assists people in over 100 countries through sponsorship and other methods of assistance, to achieve improved quality of life, in the name of Jesus.

World Vision has historically required its employees to be “sexually abstinent if single and faithful within the covenant of marriage.” Those identifying themselves as homosexual have been required to be abstinent.

In an electrifying move, Richard Stearns, president of the U.S. branch of World Vision announced on March 24th that it would change its policy and allow “married homosexuals” to be employed by the organization. The U.S. branch office is located in Federal Way, Washington and has about 1.100 employees. Washington was one of the first states to legalize same sex marriage.

Mr. Stearns stated that he was seeking to “unify” Christian Churches with the move. He called the decision “a very narrow policy change that should be regarded as symbolic not of compromise but of unity.”

This change” will make our policy more consistent with our practice on other divisive issues. It also allows us to treat all our employees in the same way: abstinence outside marriage, fidelity within marriage,” stated Mr. Stearns in the Christianity Today interview.

Just forty eight hours later, World Vision reversed its decision to hire married homosexuals, acknowledging it “made a mistake.”

In their letter, Wednesday, Stearns and Jim Bere, board chairman, noted that many had come to them “in the spirit of Matthew 18 to express concern and love and conviction.” Mr. Stearns is here referring to Jesus’ teaching on how to confront sin in the church.

“We have listened to you and want to say thank you and to humbly ask for your forgiveness,” the letter says. “We ask that you understand that it was never the board’s intent to cause confusion and pain.” continued the leaders.

Opinions surrounding the policy change and subsequent reversal are divided between those who saw the decision as a departure from sound Christian doctrine and those who welcomed the result as more inclusive of diverging opinions among fellow believers.

Many evangelical Christian leaders voiced their opposition and criticism of the move by World Vision. Among these, Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritans Purse, declared that he was “shocked “at the decision.” Mr. Graham also questioned whether “supporting sins and sinful behavior can unite the church.”

Many supporters of World Vision have decided to withdraw support to the organization in the wake of this decision.

On the opposite end of the spectrum were” liberal evangelicals” who lauded the step as creating a more inclusive environment in the church.

Reacting to evangelicals who have suggested that Christians should withdraw their support from World Vision, Rachael Held Evans, an author and self styled liberal evangelical, writes,” Organizations don't get 'farewelled' for hiring divorcees. People don't get kicked out of their churches for struggling with pride or for not wearing head coverings when they pray. The notion that the way to 'punish' World Vision is to withdraw support from its efforts to feed, clothe, heal, comfort, rescue, and shelter 'the least of these' is so contrary to the teachings of Jesus – particularly Matthew 25:31-46-it's hard to know where to start."

Interestingly, Ms. Evans also, later redacted her impassioned statements admitting that perhaps she should have waited to respond when her emotions were not quite so heightened.

Clearly, the issue of same sex marriage and the church’s response to it is one of the most polarizing issues in the body of Christ today.

While the Bible clearly prohibits the practice of homosexuality, it does not single it out but the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, lists homosexuality along with adultery, theft, drunkeness, greed, and slander as sins that would keep us out of the Kingdom of God.(NIV)

The sacrifice of Jesus covers all sin and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we can change behaviors, just as Paul reminded the Corinthian’s, “that is what some of you were.”

Jesus’ commands that love is to be the identifying mark of true Christians. Many Christians passionately feel that confronting sinners is unloving. Perhaps the definition of love has been altered in today’s church?

”Sometimes love requires us to tell the truth and oppose behavior that is harmful,” acknowledged Frank Turek of the Cross Examined Ministry.

The Watchman's good friend, Gwen wrote the following prayer concerning World Vision's ministry.

Hi Friends,
This is a very revealing newsletter how a Christian organization, World Vision,  got the message loud and clear that if they depart from God's word, no support will come from true believers.  This is encouraging how Christians are taking a stand for God's word.  I have been reading 1 Samuel and reminded how God judged Eli severely for tolerating his sons' sins, preferring them over God.

"Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me..." (1 Sam.2:29)  If we place any person above God by condoning or defending their ways when it is contrary to God's ways, we are kicking at Jesus Christ in a sense, and it will not go well for us.  Let's pray this:

Lord, may true believers no longer tolerate any  "Hamans" or any "Nicolatians" or any "Jezebels"   by placing them and their teachings above Your word.  May we stand for Your truths in this country.  May those who are true believers come out from any false teachings and denounce evil as Samuel, Queen Esther, Daniel, as well as Paul, Peter, and of course Jesus did.  We want to be true followers and not be like those "believers" in the churches of Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, or Laodicea, who had lost their first love, who held to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolatians, who tolerated the teachings of Jezebel, either by tolerating immorality or who were asleep or whose works were not complete, who were lukewarm, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Enable us to discern false teachers and to depart from them  so we are "holy" and "separated" as Your priests, unlike Eli's sons, who brought a curse upon themselves, and were killed.  May we not bring Your condemnation upon us.  Purify Your true church, Lord, which is what You said You would do in 1 Peter 4:17-18:

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?"   Have mercy on true believers by bringing them out of any false teachings and to stand strong for Your truth.  Have mercy on our government leaders and on the lost, bringing all to repentance so they may escape Your coming wrath.  May we honor Your word above anything else.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thanks for praying with me and may God have mercy on World Vision since they were tempted to depart from God's ways.  In God we trust, Gwyne