In Response to the Boy Scouts

There is much discussion at the moment due to the Boy Scouts announcing that they are thinking of taking off their ban on homosexuals being involved in their program. I don't understand why as Americans we think that this is a "modern day" issue. There is pressure to "come into the 21st century" and "catch up with the times". However, this goes all the way back to the beginning of time in Genesis 19 at Sodom and Gomorrah. God destroyed the cities for their approval of homosexuality. Catching up to the times means buying an IPad or learning how to tweet. It doesn't mean exchanging God's morals for your own. This is heavy on my heart today. I don't normally make these kinds of posts but for whatever reason God won't let up on my heart until I do. In Romans 1 Paul lays out very clearly that the people of Rome had "exchanged the truth of God for a lie". Homosexuality is "shameful" and "depraved". Also held accountable are those people who "approve of those who practice them". The "them" in that statement along with homosexuality includes: greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful, disobedient, senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless, evil...Because homosexuality is obvious and easy to judge we tend to forget about the gossip, arrogance, pride and deceit. The very next chapter, Romans 2 says that "God's kindness leads to repentance". Because while homosexuality is clearly a sin, according to God's Word, He clearly still loves all people. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us". We have ALL sinned. We all deserve the penalty of that sin - death. Jesus longs for all to come to Him and be forgiven. The Bible is very clear on a few things - 1, God loves each individual person regardless of their sins. 2, When we come to Him and repent, He says "Go and sin no more" - forgiveness doesn't give anyone the right to keep on sinning. The only way to have a right relationship with God is to come to Jesus, be forgiven of our sins (whatever they may be) and make Jesus Lord of our lives 3, However much God loves each individual, He has never and will never approve of a nation approving of homosexuality. While He created us with a free will to live as we chose, should the morals of a nation deteriorate from His morals Psalm 9:5 says, "You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever". I am heartbroken for our nation, for more reasons than just this one. Departing from God's values, morals, and standards doesn't make one "modern" it makes one far from God. Either God's Word is truth or it's not. Either God's Word is absolute or it's not. Either you believe in Jesus or you don't. As Christ followers, it's time to get out of living in the gray and draw a line in the sand. Either you follow Jesus or you don't. Either you love Him or you don't. God said we show our love for Him by obeying and Jesus said that others will know us by our love. Love doesn't mean compromise. Love means we supply a persons physical needs but also their spiritual needs. Spiritually we all need Jesus. I am praying that the Boy Scouts will reconsider deviating from God's values. While God has given people the free will to live how they choose, there is no need to condone the lifestyle. I want to include the response of Dr. Wood, our superintendent (of the Assemblies of God): In light of the news that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is considering reversing its long-standing ban on allowing practicing homosexuals as members and leaders, General Superintendent George O. Wood issued the following statement, urging the organization to hold to the biblical principles that it has maintained for over 100 years. “The Assemblies of God is committed to ensuring young men grow up with strong values. Since 1962 our Royal Rangers program, designed for grades K through 12, with 250,000 members across 87 nations, has sought to sharpen character and develop leadership skills in this critical age group. We are saddened and disappointed to hear that Boy Scouts of America (BSA), an organization long devoted to biblical values, is now considering loosening the principles in which it was founded. Homosexual behavior contradicts biblical teachings and God’s created order for the family and human relationships. We pray BSA will give careful consideration to this matter and hold firm to the beliefs that have made it a strong and influential organization for more than 100 years.” Dr. Wood's statement was later picked up in an article by the Associated Press. To view the full story, including comments by Dr. Wood, click on this link: http://s2.ag.org/scouts. Please pray for the BSA and our nation as the enemy continues its assault on biblical values. General Superintendent’s Office The General Council of the Assemblies of God