Spiritual Warfare Part 1

Welcome, friends, to another week. My friends, this week, while parking- I heard flapping. I looked up to see a Pride flag hanging from a church nearby. I was saddened to see and hear several churches in my community openly condoning sin. We are in spiritual warfare- churches have divided and lines are drawn.

My curiosity got the best of me. I researched this issue. I was disheartened but not surprised at the denominations which affirm homosexual conduct and transgender members. The list includes the following: United Church of Christ, Quakers, Reformed Jewish Movement, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Presbyterian Church in the USA (this branch is not the same as Presbyterian Churches in America), Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches, and Conservative Jewish Movement. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/12/07/religious-groups-official-positions-on-same-sex-marriage/ One of the largest denominations affirming same-sex partners was the Catholic Church. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/11/06/why-popes-endorsement-same-sex-unions-matters However, the Vatican changed its mind about the 2020 proposal by reversing his decision March 15, 21. https://www.npr.org/2021/03/15/977548652/the-vatican-has-announced-the-church-cannot-bless-same-sex-unions

Ten church congregations do not allow same-sex marriage: United Methodist, Roman Catholics, Southern or National Baptist Conventions, American Baptist Churches, Orthodox Jewish Movement, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Church of Latter-day Saints (known as Mormons), or Assemblies of God or New Testament Christian Churches of America. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/12/21/where-christian-churches-stand-on-gay-marriage/

The Bible is clear about this subject. God does not endorse or has he ever endorsed same-sex relationships. Paul clarified his position when he penned his letter to the church in Rome. During this time, Rome permitted same-sex relationships depending on status. A Roman man, though married, was permitted to have male partners outside of his marriage. https://www.thoughtco.com/homosexuality-in-ancient-rome-4585065 Rome was the center of wickedness. People did whatever they wanted to do without fearing consequences (sounds like our generation today.) Paul wanted the church in Rome to understand the seriousness of his letter. In verses Romans 1:1-10, he introduces himself and explains the reason for his visit. He begins telling them Jesus was from the house of David- thereby establishing Jesus' Jewish line (verse 3). Then in Romans 1:4, Paul continues laying the groundwork for reasons they should believe in Christ (son of God, power, holiness, and the resurrection). Romans 1: 5-11, Paul encourages the church by telling them he is praying for them. Paul was not a man of few words; he corrected the church but also told them about homosexuality (they did not call it that), sins, and penalties for living a life unbecoming to Christ. That said, the church in Rome went through the same things we are today. He wanted them to stay strong and not fall into the world's traps. https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/1/Romans-chapter-1.html

We live in a time of spiritual wickedness. Everything is permissible, and people do whatever they desire. In our time, the electronic age allows us to visit faraway places; order every type of merchandise we can imagine; and promote every type of perversion known to man. Like the Christians in Rome, we live in a world where wrong is right and right is wrong. Sadly, some churches have gone the way of the world. The church cannot be a light to others, nor can it show anyone the way if it is in bed with the world. Nor can it be divided. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: “ Matthew 12:25 God called us out of the world however our churches are divided.

This blog was so long, the website could not publish it. Therefore, part 2 will be published next week. Please email me at mailto:dorothy@savedheartfaith.com or mailto:dburrell38@yahoo.com I hope you have a great week. Please do not forget to visit YouTube for the shortened companion video to this blog. Thanks for stopping by.

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