We will lie in the bed we make

In 1989 James T. Draper, a leading Southern Baptist pastor, published a book entitled Trusting Thy Word which was an exposition of Psalm 119. The seventh of the book’s twenty-two chapters was from verses 49-56 and was named “Staying Sane in an Insane World”. In the last several days I’ve gone back to his volume and re-read his thoughts because “my world” has just become more insane in the last few days!!

Last week the far, far left-leaning governor of our state, assisted by a far, far left-leaning legislature (The House of Delegates) endorsed a bill that will make Marylandthe eighth state in our nation to allow same-sex marriage. The Senate will undoubtedly follow with a similar vote this week and the governor, who used the “bully pulpit” of his office in the struggle, will quickly sign it into law to take effect January 1, 2013. The only obstacle left to overcome before this travesty is imposed upon our people is a referendum in the November elections that will either uphold or negate the law, and given the predominately liberal political stance of our state, there appears little chance of the law being overturned.

My heart goes out to the homosexual community, as it does to any group, or individual, who is in rebellion to the Lord God. There can be no argument that the BIBLE speaks out against such an action or lifestyle. “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22 NIV) “…God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lusts for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” (Romans 1:26-27 NIV) Case in point regarding God’s view of this perversity is his destruction ofSodom andGomorrah in Genesis 19. Of course, the matter in question comes down to whether or not one believes the BIBLE – or – the claim of personal experience.

I have no more quarrel with persons who are in sin with their homosexuality than I do with “straights” who are guilty of adultery, or any other acts of unrighteousness. Where I do have extreme difficulty is with those who are enslaved in the bondage of their gay/lesbian condition pushing under the guise of “civil rights” an agenda that over-turns the centuries-old recognition that MARRIAGE is for a man and a woman. What we have now in Maryland, as in other parts of our nation, a decision that undermines the very basics of human behavior. A man and a woman are in their relationship as husband and wife called upon by God to “be fruitful and increase in number”. (Genesis 1:28 NIV) How does that ‘work’ in same-sex marriage? I’m very much aware of the ‘adoption’ process but in such situations that means that a child will have either two mothers and no father or two fathers and no mother. Try if you will to convince me of the normality of that type condition. Moms and Dads are different, and a child needs both!       

I think a big part of my grief in this matter is due to the politicians who have “sold their souls”, as it were, for a mess of political porridge and especially those who profess a Christian commitment. It seems that they either out-rightly deny the truth of Scripture or they have decided to bow before Caesar rather than God. Their ultimate judgment is in the hands of the Lord and if I read the Word correctly, it will be severe!

What does all of this mean for the future of Maryland, and for that matter our entire nation as this decision ripples out across all the other states? I’m neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I truly fear for our country. God will not withhold His righteous judgment forever and as one theologian has said, “If God does not bring judgment upon our nation He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!”  Will it be financial collapse due to our obscene debt? Will it be Islamic terror strikes? Will it be a nuclear holocaust? I have no prediction except to say that God, if true to Himself, will someday say loudly in the ear of America, “ENOUGH!!” Pray that such a day does not come in your lifetime or those of your children and grandchildren! 

                                            Jimmy Jackson, February 20, 2012