HOMOSEXUALITY: THE LAW, ETHICS AND THE BIBLE - PART ONE

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."  

I Corinthians 6:9-11

The recent Supreme Court decision on marriage has shocked us. We have been forced to re-examine the foundations of our beliefs on the purpose and nature of marriage and the laws of God on morality. Let us consider the Bible teaching on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

When Jesus walked among men, the sinners heard Him gladly.  They knew who they were and knew that Jesus loved them and wanted something better for them than a life marred by sin.  The apostle Paul followed that example as he wrote in  I Corinthians 9:19-23,

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more…. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”  

The main purpose of this essay will be to provide a Biblical worldview of homosexuality.  I want to share the Truth, the Gospel, with those identified as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender).  The Gospel is the only power to save the sin-sick soul, giving it an eternal rest.  Likewise, my intent is to remove all misconceptions and errors about the Bible, about Jesus, and the church in this matter.  My hope is to provide you with sufficient Scripture that deals with homosexual sins as well as to equip you as a Christian to convey that Truth in love in a persuasive manner so that those in sin might repent and live truly in the likeness of God.  My prayer to God is that I may be able to present the righteousness and Truth of God boldly that might save these dying souls from an eternity in hell. Many souls are blind and need to remove the veil from their eyes that they may understand and come to their senses.  The only power that transforms us into God’s image is the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our goal must be to grant them repentance through God's everlasting Truth. There is no other way!  It is through the hearing of the Gospel that God saves sinners.  I am reminded of II Timothy 2:24-26.

"The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

The recent Supreme Court decision on marriage has shocked us.  We have been forced to re-examine the foundations of our beliefs on the purpose and nature of marriage and the laws of God on morality. After this alarming decision had come down from the Supreme Court of the United States of America about same-sex marriage, the responses and thoughts of many made me sad.  Why?  Because many seem to have forgotten what really matters. Our goal as Christians is to share the Good News, the Gospel, with sinners.  Some behave as if they are afraid of persecution for doing what is right.  Many make arguments that don't amount to a hill of beans and forget the power of the Gospel to persuade men to repent and live for righteousness.  May God help us to not bow down to that which is against God and His everlasting Word, 

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."  Daniel 3:16-18.  

Don't you think we need this as a reminder at this time in our nation?  A time of considerable deception.  YES, I am grieving with you!  Why?  

• Simply because our nation and her Supreme Court has disregarded all divine rules of order: the righteous principles of right and wrong, which our God has ordained.  
• Yes, I am grieving because of the luke-warmness, tolerance and even apostasy of the Lord's church which He purchased with His own blood.  
• I am grieving because some Christians have forgotten God's intent for marriage from the beginning, one man with one woman for life, Genesis 1:-28 and 2:21-24.  God elevates marriage far higher than many of us understand.  God chose marriage to portray to us the oneness of Christ and His bride, the church, Rev. 21:2,9.  The marriage relationship must present this picture to the world.  
• I am grieving because many have forgotten to suffer for Christ.  Those who submit to God's authority will indeed suffer persecution in one way or another.  It is sure to come!  Phil. 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12; James 1:2; I Peter 4:12-16.  Let us follow the example of the apostles' generation who rejoiced because they were considered worthy to suffer for Christ's sake.  May the Lord help us to suffer the world's shame and put His glory on display, to glorify and magnify Him.  It is time to stand for Truth and advocate for righteousness in this nation.  It is time to imprint God's Laws in the hearts of men.

Without a doubt, homosexual immorality is a controversial issue in our culture today.  For some, it is a matter of equal rights that same-sex marriage be legalized.  For others, it is a moral issue because the Bible addresses it.  As a terrible consequence of this, much of the debate on the issue is a meaningless discussion.  The Truth is that homosexuality is a SIN.   Period!

I am aware that many of us prefer peace to war, but we must not be silent if we are to remain faithful to God's Biblical teachings.  We have no other choice!  There is no room to cry out "peace, peace when there is no peace."  It is imperative that we be reminded of what the Bible says in such areas.  

With this in mind, I will be looking at:

1. Homosexuality and the law
2. The Bible and same-sex marriage..
3. The origins of homosexuality.  
4. Is homosexuality normal? 
5. The world ethic on homosexuality.
6. The Biblical ethic on homosexuality/The Bible worldview.
7. The homosexual agenda in the Public Schools.
8. And the Christian response to homosexuality.

Let us consider this issue in two parts.  Part One will include points 1-5.  Part Two will include points 6-8.

I.  HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE LAW

We live in a culture where Christianity and God's Laws are excluded from the public arena.  The lawfulness of homosexual marriage is openly debated by legislators.  Many Christians would easily disapprove, but when they are challenged to defend their position, they are quickly silenced by objections and protests.  These protestors say that absolute morality is not the proper domain of politics.  The way a society addresses such controversies is determined by the way they choose to directly answer the following questions:

1. Can man legislate morality?
2. If so, by what standard should he legislate? 
3. And does this standard or law evolve?

The answer to each of these questions rests entirely in the Bible, that is, in one's approach to origins. The postmodern argument is that God's Laws are morally neutral and human reason is the arbiter or judge of Truth and that standards change as cultures develop or evolve. 

Today, postmodern philosophers believe that the whole idea of ethics is absurd.  They argue that the concept of right and wrong is misguided.  As a tragic result, many will accept whatever is dictated by those who are in power, without judging the fundamental moral rightness or wrongness of their dictates.  Abortion for example, is accepted and right because it is lawful.  The same is true with euthanasia, homosexuality and other similar issues.  If the majority of society allows it, it is accepted as right.  Our culture describes homosexuality as a mental disorder, alternate behavior, or simply a normal expression of sexual behavior.  God’s absolute standards become a joke.  His laws are reduced to no more than suggestions where lawlessness and confusion rule. 

1.  Can Man Legislate Morality?

It is impossible to pass a law which is free from moral implications.  So, the question is:

• From which system of moral laws can man legislate?   Take notice that all laws are either explicitly moral or procedural to a moral concept.  Each of these principles is rooted in the book of origins, Genesis.  How?
• God is the Creator of order, Genesis 1:31.  He is not the Author of confusion, I Cor. 14:33.
• God commanded man to bring order to His creation by having “dominion” over every living thing of the earth, thus laying the foundations for property rights, Gen. 1:28.
• God has established the sanctity of life as the first principle of lawful government, Gen. 9:5-6.

God's main intent for civil law is to be a restraint against evil, Romans 13:4.  Law can neither save nor sanctify.  It is ironic that the humanist argues for salvation by human legislation.  Why?  Simply, because man's biggest problem is not his environment but his sin.  The humanist wants to solve his problems through government programs and better education.  Sadly, in such a humanist world, Jesus is not honored as the True Redeemer.  Instead, we are urged to look to the State to redeem us from our worst habits and instincts.  It is the State that will save us from our hate, our prejudice, our racism, our male chauvinism, our “incorrect speech” and a thousand other common defects.

2.   By What Standard Should Man Legislate?

There are two standards by which man can legislate and govern:  the Law of God, or the will of man. We, Christians must understand that there is no middle ground.  The Law of God establishes a law order with transcendental moral principles.  When we hold these Truths, we obviously show that all men are created equal, and that they are established by our Creator with undeniably absolute rights.  

It is imperative for the Christian to respond to all the conflicts between worldly morals and Bible morals with proper understanding of the origins of our ethic.  The Christian ethic is established by the God of heaven.  He is the only authority that can proclaim what is right and wrong, good and evil. And we as Christians must accept His divine norm.

3.   Does Law Evolve?

One of the most influential jurists of the United States Supreme Court Justice was Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.  His massive treatise, The Common Law, superseded Blackstone's Commentaries. Blackstone based his entire examination of law on the supremacy of the Bible, the revealed Word of God.  He affirmed the authority of Scripture as the only legitimate foundation for any society.  He specifically disproved the theory that laws could evolve as societies evolved, changed.  He stated that all laws must be laid on an eternal foundation of righteousness, divine law, only to be found in Scripture.  In spite of his influence to a divine approach to law, his writings have been downgraded to obscurity in most law schools.  Holmes taught that right and wrong do not exist in any absolute sense and that judges must determine the most adequate approach to determine which standards are the most suitable ones at any given point in the evolution of a society.  Holmes and his contemporaries laid the foundation for legalized abortion, no-fault divorce and of course the legalization of homosexuality as well as the rejection of the Framer's vision for Constitutional interpretation.  Today, most courts embrace this evolving standard for Constitutional interpretation, rejecting Blackstone at all cost.

Since the 1960's Western culture has progressively legalized private homosexual acts between consenting adults.  In 2003 our nation, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated all state sodomy laws, opening the doors to the legalization of homosexuality and same-sex marriages state by state.  Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states such that homosexual activities are as acceptable as heterosexual activity. This crosses the Biblical moral baseline since the Bible warns against homosexuality as a sin.  As a terrible consequence of this Satanic law, freedom of speech is effectively restricted on homosexuality and free expression of Christian ethics on sexuality.  The biggest problem with same-sex marriage law is that it generates ethical and moral confusion.  Why?  Simply because God, the Lawgiver, is the true source of all laws and He, the Lawgiver, never changes, Hebrews 13:8.  God’s moral Law for men never changes as well since it reflects His character or righteousness, His holiness.  He has established His standards, “ethics,” from the beginning of creation as revealed in Scripture.  Such Laws would eternally be binding on any society.  Although these standards may evolve from culture to culture, God’s principles or morals will not.  As a result, any debate pertaining to morality, homosexual marriage and so on can only be properly addressed based upon the Genesis foundation.  Only by building upon this divine foundation can we be armed as Christians to speak authoritatively to the defining and challenging issues of our day such as same-sex marriage and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender).  

Without a doubt, our society’s view of ethics has completely changed the cultural morals of our nation and the world.  In fact, it has evolved to the point of denying all traditional Christian views of righteousness.  Sacred morals are widely criticized by the majority as hateful and destructive.  Our Lord Jesus was so right when He said to his disciples,

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” John 15:18-19. 

II.   THE BIBLE AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:

Elements of our government and our culture have tried intensely for years to redefine and legalize same-sex (gay) marriage.  When the government legalizes same-sex marriage, they automatically generate ethical and moral confusion.  Why? Because with the passing of time, our society accepts this behavior as a civil right guaranteed by  the "equality" law and all defined ethics would take priority over established Biblical morality.  

Judiciary Equality Law eliminates God and His judgment of sin.  It introduces a moral tangle and actions against those of faith without being judged.  Such laws have but one intent, to violate God's moral baseline, especially in the area of homosexuality.  This will crush our personal ethics.  This law also will tear down a nation with a crown of shame since it is defying all of God's divine Laws.  This is detrimental to any society.  Why?  Because God is the only originator of marriage, Genesis 2:24.  Only God has all authority to define marriage.  According to God's inspired Word, marriage must be the union between a man and a woman.  Period!  It is not the role of the government to redefine marriage.  Notice what the Word of God has to say about this:

"Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people."  Proverbs 14:34

Same-sex marriage is not "marriage."  Marriage has always been a covenant between a man and a woman, for the purpose of having children and raising them to adulthood.  "And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it."  Genesis 1:27-28.  "And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him." Genesis 2:18.  Genesis uses Adam and Eve as examples for all marriages.  "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  Genesis 2:24.  This is the divine pattern God demands for all marriages to follow, "And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?  So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."  Matthew 19:4-6.

Marriage is a three-way covenant between a man, his wife, and God.  It involves both genders (male and female).  It requires the concept of "one flesh" which involves physical union.  The wife is to be his companion and helper or helpmeet in the having and raising of children, forming a family after the pattern of God.  Jesus also emphasized such union between one man and one woman in Mark 10:6-8.  This union is joined together by God and in His sight for a lifetime.  Mark 10:9.  This union also implies child conception since the primary reason of this bond between husband and wife is to procreate and to produce offspring, Gen. 1:28, Mal. 2:15.  There is nowhere in the Bible where you find the notion of marriage between two people of the same gender.  They cannot physically conceive and bear children!  Therefore, no one has the right to seize the definition of marriage and redefine it with the absurd excuse of anti-discrimination "equality law."  To do so is to defy and blaspheme God! They bastardize the concept of marriage.

Any society must examine the question as to whether "equality law" without "absolute morality" is a valid objective.  Is it even logical?  Equality Law claims that "all activities above a certain moral baseline are equally valid."  (They keep lowering that moral baseline!)  The truth is that without a moral baseline for judging equality, certain aspects of Equality Law are strictly flawed.  

Same-sex marriage absolutely eliminates the fundamental concept of a mother and a father for every child by law.  It denies a child either a father or a mother.  The child would always be deprived of either his natural mother or father.  Why?  Simply because he will be raised by someone who is not blood-related to him.  The child would always be lacking a mother or father role model.  It ignores the child's best interests.  They do not want a family of children.  They want a child as a toy for personal fulfillment.  Likewise, legal acceptance of same-sex marriage conceals moral values, devalues traditional marriage and weakens all morality.  Although, all homosexual activists claim that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue similar to the struggle for racial equality, still it is false and opposes nature.  It turns a moral wrong into a civil right.  It imposes on all society its acceptance by using the government to legalize it and promote it.  It forces all public officials as well as public schools to teach its acceptability to children and punishes anyone who opposes it or shows disapproval. 

Our society considers morals against homosexuality and same-sex marriage as hateful, intolerant and destructive.  Ironically, what once was accepted by almost everybody as moral, honorable, law-abiding and upright, is now reproved, reprimanded and scolded. 

When a society is pressured to accept all kinds of immoral behavior and same-sex marriage, it is detrimental.  This evil behavior leads to other evil behaviors such as incest, pedophilia, bestiality and other forms of unnatural behavior.  It is a sexual revolution!  It offends God and we must oppose it!   And even though we, Christians, will probably be forced to accept it legally that does not mean we have to accept man's redefinition of marriage.  Even if the law sanctions homosexuality and muzzles free speech on homosexual acts, that still does not make homosexual acts moral.  What matters the most is not what anyone says against homosexuality and homosexual acts, or gay marriage.  What does matter is one's relationship with our Creator.  He is the one Who can command and edit what is right and wrong.  He has decreed that homosexuality is wrong and sinful in His sight.  He will judge and He will bring to account every thought, word, and deed.  In the Day of Judgment, God will judge all people for their sins against Him.  He will judge all who have sinned. He will do this because He is holy and righteous. 

III.   THE ORIGINS OF HOMOSEXUALITY

There are many arguments based on the nature of homosexuality, but their only aim is to prove it is inborn, unchangeable, normal and common.  Therefore, it should be accepted as equal to heterosexuality.  In order to challenge such arguments, one must dismantle all pro-gay assumptions by identifying such assumptions as either illogical, misleading or exaggerated.  I will be considering each argument.

• Argument One:  Homosexuality is Inborn and unchangeable.  Therefore, it is normal and God ordained.

As the gay rights movement has evolved, the idea of homosexuality being inborn has gained broad approval among gays.  Homosexuals claim that they were born gay.   In the Pew Research Center poll, the belief that homosexuality is inborn was connected with the support for same-sex marriage.  Over 70 percent opposed this redefinition, until they were persuaded that it was "inborn." They go so far as to say that homosexuality is "a gift from God to be embraced, celebrated, lived with integrity." This is called the "inborn theory." It implies that if something is inborn, God must have created it.  

No wonder many homosexuals truly believe they were genetically born that way and that they were determined to be gay.  The origination of such belief as well as the growth of the gay rights movement cannot be a coincidence.  To view sexual orientation as inborn is political expedient.  As a result of this, many who would consider homosexuality as immoral would support gay rights if they can be convinced it is genetically inborn.  People tend to view homosexuality more favorably when it is inborn.  No wonder these gay leaders push their gay agenda as an inborn gay theory.  It furthers their cause.

The claim that some people are "born gay" settles this issue for many because it makes them feel better about the sexual orientation or the sexual orientation of someone they care about.  

Gay rights activists refer to three different studies claiming that such studies show that there is a biological basis for homosexuality.  These three studies are known as:

1. Hamer's X-chromosome research.
2. LeVay’s study of the hypothalamus.
3. And Bailey and Pillard's study of identical twins who were homosexuals.  

Sub-Argument One:   Homosexuality is born.  In 1991 Dr. Simon LeVay proved homosexuality to be the result of structures in the hypothalamus. Therefore, it should be accepted as normal.

This argument is exaggerated and misleading.  LeVay, a neuroscientist who examined the brains of 41 cadavers did not prove homosexuality to be inborn.  His research results were not steadily consistent.  All of his subjects had smaller INAH3s (interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus). In fact, three of the homosexual subjects had a larger INAH3s than the heterosexuals.  Furthermore, three of the heterosexual subjects had smaller INAH3s than the average homosexual one.  This is the study most often quoted by those who insist that homosexuality has been "proven" to be inborn.  Levay's study, research contradicted his own theory for the following reasons:

• First, because he did not know with certainty which of his subjects were homosexual or heterosexual.  
• Second, his peers in the neuroscientific community could not agree on whether the INAH3 should be measured by its size and volume of by its numbers of neurons.  
• Third, it is not clear whether brain structure affects behavior or that behavior affects brain structure.  In other words, it is unclear whether the brain structures caused homosexuality, or if homosexuality affected brain structure.  
• Fourth, LeVay was a homosexual and was determined to find a genetic cause for homosexuality after the death of his lover.  Furthermore, his main intent, as he admitted, was to educate society about homosexuality, affecting legal and Biblical principles toward it.  
• Fifth, the scientific community did not unanimously accept this study.  They claimed that in all these three studies, these researchers were homosexuals themselves thus having a secured and established outcome.  They also affirmed that such studies did not stand up to scientific examination.  Thus concluded that "there is no reliable evidence to date that homosexual behavior is determined by a person's genes."  This conclusion was supported by other researchers as well:

"There is no conclusive scientific evidence for any genetic trait causing homosexuality, bisexual, or transgender desires."  

Sub-Argument Two:   Another argument they make is that homosexuality is inborn since a study of men with homosexual twins found that twin brothers of gay man are more likely to be homosexual than heterosexual. 

In 1991, psychologist Michael Bailey (a gay rights advocate) and psychiatrist Richard Pillard (who is openly homosexual) compared sets of identical male twins to fraternal twins.  In each set, at least one twin was homosexual.  They found out that of the identical twins, 52 percent were both homosexual as opposed to the fraternal twins, in whom only 22 percent shared a homosexual orientation.  Their final conclusion was that twin brothers of gay men are more likely to become homosexual than heterosexual.  That homosexuality was genetic in origin.   

This argument is false, exaggerated and misleading for the following reasons:

• First, because Pillard and Bailey's findings as a matter of fact indicated that something besides genes must account for homosexuality.  Baily admitted saying, 'There must be something in the environment to yield the discordant twins."  
• Second, all of the sets of twins studied were raised in the same household.  If the sets of twins in which both brothers were homosexual were raised in separate homes, it would have been easier to believe that genes played a major role in their sexual development. But since they were all raised in the same households, therefore it is impossible to know what effect environment really played and what effect if any, genes played.  
• Third, both  Pillard, Baily and LeVay did not approach their subject objectively.  Their personal feelings about homosexuality undoubtedly did not disqualify them from doing a good research about the subject. In fact, Pillard said, "a genetic component in sexual orientation says, 'this is not a fault,'" and both he and Bailey stated that they hoped their work would "disprove homophobic claims."  
• Fourth, a later study of twins produced different results from those of Pillard and Bailey's. These led other researchers to conclude that "genetic factors are an insufficient explanation of the development of sexual orientations."  

Sub-Argument Three:   The other argument about inborn homosexuality was made in 1993 by Dr. Dean Hamer in which he claims homosexuality is linked to a gene on the X chromosome which is inherited from the mother. 

Now, this argument is misleading and overstated for two reasons:

1. His results have yet to be replicated.  His study's conclusions have not been confirmed by further research.
2. Second, a later similar study contradicted Hamer's conclusions.  

All of the arguments made by LeVay, Pillard and Bailey are illogical since they assume that "inborn" means "normal" or "morally acceptable."

Thus, such an assumption is false for three reasons:  

1. "Inborn" and "normal" are not necessarily the same.  
2. Inborn tendencies toward certain behavior as in the case of homosexuality do not make such behaviors moral.
3. We cannot assume that because something is inborn, therefore it is God ordained.  God never intended for us to be mentally, psychologically, physically and sexually handicapped.  Inborn does not mean "divinely sanctioned."

Other scientists affirm that homosexuality is caused by a complex combination of social (relational), psychological and biological factors.  Others claim that biological factors are not a fundamentally genetic.  Scientific studies point out that homosexuality is what a person does in contrast to gender, race, and impairment.  This relates to what a person is.  The fact is that homosexuality is a learned behavior and its root cause is psychological rather than biological.  The root of the problem is relational rather than genetic.

It is obvious that the scientific community is not convinced that homosexuality is inborn.  They find the "born gay" theories "unfounded and politically dangerous."

If genes do not determine homosexuality, then how does it emerge?  The Bible is clear about how turning away from God can lead to homosexuality and all forms of sexual immorality.

"Their foolish heart was darkened.... They exchanged the truth of God for a lie... For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error."  Romans 1:21-27

When man refuses to acknowledge his Creator and His divine design for our lives, the consequences are devastating.  God's Word influences a person's life when it comes to his choices and behavior. Even science cannot refute this.  It is personal choice that seems to be a precursor to homosexual conduct.  The answer to such conduct is available to all through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

• Argument Two:  The other argument they make is that because homosexuality is inborn, homosexuals cannot change.  

This argument is false in nature.  They state that "sexual orientation simply cannot be changed."  A gay psychiatrist warned that "there may be severe emotional and social consequences in the attempt to change from homosexuality to heterosexuality."  Of course, this argument draws heavily from the social sciences.  The Bible at no moment supports such a claim!  Indeed, the apostle Paul affirms that homosexuals can change or repent when he declared,

"9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."  I Corinthians 6:9-11.  Such loving-kindness makes my eyes tear!!

Sadly, the gay Christian apologist does not believe this text refers to homosexuality, which brings us to the heart of the matter.  Whether they want to accept it or not, homosexual behavior according to the Bible is a SIN.  But it is a fact that it can be changed or repented of.  Jesus frees us from the guilt of sin when we repent and are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins, walking in newness of life, freed from sin, alive to God and dead to sin, Romans 6:3-14.  As new creatures in Him, 2 Corinthians 5:17.  It is a fact that you can be certain of, that any sin either big or small, even homosexuality, can be overcome through the blood of Christ, through redemption, and by God's grace.

So why do homosexuals argue vehemently that they cannot change if they really believe homosexuality is not a biblical forbidden sin?  If something is not a sin, then it will not matter if it is inborn or a choice, immutable or changeable, after all.  When the homosexual tries so hard to prove that their sexuality is inborn and unchangeable, they are betraying themselves with a certain self-doubt.  And while many mental health authorities support strongly that homosexuality is unchangeable, many others believe it can be changed.  Some secular studies have shown success in change among those who testify to have substantial healing by God and the power there is in His Word, the Gospel.  The homosexual as well as the lesbian, bisexual, and transgender must believe in the power of the Gospel to forgive sins and be transformed into righteousness rather than relying on clinical authorities to support their position.  Yes, homosexuality is changeable through the power of the Gospel.  

• Augument Three:  What is not changeable is desirable.

The other argument they make is that if something is not changeable, therefore it is desirable. This is false again.  Drug and alcohol addiction is not changeable, but nevertheless it is not desirable nor is it justifiable.  Just because I want to do something real bad, does not mean that I have the right to do it, when it is condemned by the Bible.  The desire for the husband or wife of one's neighbor may be very strong and unchangeable, but he still doesn't have the right to commit adultery.  Immorality is not normal.

IV.   IS HOMOSEXUALITY "NORMAL"?

• Another argument is that homosexuality is not a psychological aberration or mental illness.  Therefore the church should not condemn it.  

This argument draws its strength from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).   They claim that the APA Board determined that homosexuality is normal.  They say that their gay leaders began protesting demanding APA a reconsideration of homosexuality's diagnostic status and that they be also included in any further discussions with them on the subject.  APA consented and intense discussions and debates followed.  The APA along with the American Psychology Association have since positioned themselves strongly with gay causes promoting the view that homosexuality is normal. As a result of this, gays look for support among them claiming their behavior and orientation as "normal."

Now, this argument is misleading since it omits important facts surrounding the APA decision.  Their decision was not made under normal circumstances but under intimidating ones.  It was made under much conflict, threats and many questionable methods.  The fact is that APA never stated homosexuality is normal.  It did not reflect the views of American psychiatrists.  This argument is also illogical since it assumes that mental health and righteousness are one and the same.  Even if we were to say that both APA and the American psychiatrists had agreed, that still has no bearing on the Christian position on the subject of homosexuality.  The Bible is crystal clear when it speaks of homosexuality as well as other sexual sins that the issues are moral rather than psychological.  What is considered and judged as mentally sound by man does not necessarily make it morally right in the sight of God.

This leads me to this question:  If homosexuality is "normal," then why is it that we don’t find 50 percent of the population to be heterosexual and the other 50 percent as homosexual?

The postmodernists claim that what is, is okay.  That all homosexual activity is a feasible choice. That there is no guilt.  That all homosexual feelings are normal.  They say to our young, "there is nothing wrong with you."  But the question  is, are homosexual feelings normal?  What is normal? Since rational issues seem to be the primary cause of homosexuality, we are able to challenge their postmodern concept that homosexuality is "normal."  When one asks:  Are homosexual feelings normal?  The answer that is given from a perceptive definition of normality is as follows:  "that which functions according to its design."  It is obvious that from this perceptive definition, it is not normal since they don't follow the perceived design pattern.  The truth is that it is not normal because they were not designed that way!

V.   THE WORLD ETHIC ON HOMOSEXUALITY

When society rejects God and His everlasting Word, the Bible, and regards homosexuality and same-sex marriage as an equality and non-discrimination issue, then they are without ethics.

• If feelings of homosexuality are not "normal," what about homosexual acts?  
• Is there a "correct" worldview on such acts?  
• Is there any leading standard or ethic on this matter that points out such acts as "right," or "wrong?"  

Most societies tend to go by a majority set of cultural ethics.  It means that they would accept or abide by whatever culture approves of as being "right," and whatever they disapprove of as being "wrong."  This is called moral and cultural relativism.

In a world without ethics, morality and all Biblical concepts such as goodness, decency, integrity, and godliness is notably absent.  Ethics refers to a system of moral standards or principles.  It is a system of laws or rules of conduct acknowledged by a distinct group of people or society.  For Christians, morals and ethics should be absolute standards set by God.  These morals and ethics are centered on God's character, His righteousness, and Law.  Likewise, ethics describes a social system or societal structure of moral codes that govern godly behavior.  From a secular worldview, ethics always change from group to group as well as from society to society.  However, from a Christian worldview, ethics must be concrete and governed by God.  Christian ethics do not change from society to society as secular ethics do.  Discernment and wisdom are a vital part of ethics .  For that, one must be immersed in the Word of God, examining, questioning and reasoning everything.

Postmodernists (atheists and humanists) believe and maintain that ethics are socially and culturally defined.  Therefore, they have few if any absolute values.  The postmodernist argues that since there is no God, our actions are merely the result of our genetic make-up or our social and cultural environment. That what influences us is the material world around us.   They as well as the evolutionists argue that Bonobo apes found in Africa  are our cousins and that we humans share a piece of their DNA.   Therefore, we should not expect our social behavior to be totally different from that of the Bonobos.  They maintain that morality has evolved. They also argue that a human's moral and ethical behavior evolves from other non-human species such as the primitive roots of creatures like the ants.  

Where traditional Christianity diverges is in the concept that man's morality evolved from primitive morality and without the intervention of a Creator. The Bible maintains that man is made in God’s image (Geneses 1:26) and so is capable of reflecting His attributes, such as longsuffering, forgiveness, creativity and wisdom. In particular, man reflects the righteousness and morality of a moral God.   Man has not obtained this by evolution from some primitive morality. Man also is able to worship his Creator - something that is obviously absent in the Bonobo. Therefore, we must expect our society to follow a morality far superior to that of the Bonobo!

A consequence of this weak and distorted ethical view called Postmodernism, we have a distorted ape-like culture where almost anything goes.  That is why justice and righteousness suffers in such a culture. 

In an opinion poll, people were asked if they personally and strongly approved, somewhat approved or strongly disapproved of homosexuality.  A 22 percent approved in 1996 and then a few years later in 2001 a 44 approved.  This is to show that society changes rapidly when it comes to their worldview.  This poll indicates that homosexuality is quickly becoming right in the sight of many people.  It is obvious that the majority of culturally defined ethics is variable and unreliable.   Again, here we see cultural relativism.   One example is slavery.  It was socially acceptable and legal in our nation in 1850, but of course it was still immoral. Today, the reverse is true. Most importantly, if there is no absolute reference point, the trends of cultural relativism can be dangerous and no one is safe. This applies particularly to the handicapped, elderly, and unborn. There is no certain justice. The social consequences are devastating.  Another example is the liberal sexual ethics.  It has increased promiscuity and hence sexually transmitted infections such as HIV cases worldwide.  Men who have sex with men increase their risk of getting HIV.  Liberal, humanistic Law is failing society. The Bible is clear about abstaining from fornication and about saving physical union for marriage:  

"A man shall ... be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."  Geness 2:24  

In conclusion, those who deliberately live immoral, unclean lives in the sight of God are excluded from the kingdom of God and the heavenly city (Rev. 21:27, 22:15), the New Jerusalem, Revelation 22:1-5.  The Word of God still maintains that homosexual feelings are abnormal.  That all homosexual activity (sexual acts) is sin in the sight of God.  That Jesus offers the remedy, the forgiveness for such sin.  That we as Christians must show compassion for those caught up in the sin of homosexuality without compromising the divine and moral principles laid out in the Bible.

It is up to the lesbians, gays, transgenders and bisexuals (LGBT) to decide which path in life they wish to follow:  humanistic law devoid of morality which is the way of death, or God's Law and Biblical morality which is the way of everlasting life.

This concludes part one of our study.  The second part will consider THE BIBLICAL ETHIC ON HOMOSEXUALITY.


Luci

HONOR AND RESPECT: STAND UP!

"You shall by before the gray headed and honored the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord."  

Leviticus 19:32

Reverence toward God begins with reverence in the home. When we teach our children to honor adults and especially their parents, we also give them the priceless understanding of how the universe functions under God's great governance. Let us consider the Bible teaching about reverence toward our older neighbors carefully.

The other day I came across this saying, "If a family has an old person in it, it possesses a jewel."  This inspired me to write about it since it is evident to me we live in a culture where all forms of respect and honor have been lost, especially toward our elders.  Sadly, this honor and respect are not being taught at home by parents toward their children, even when God in His revealed Word demands it.  When one abandons the divine norm given by God about how to live a righteous life, honor, and respect for human life and everything else is lost.

In the wisdom of God, our relationships depend greatly on a certain order of honor and respect. Without it, we stand in rebellion against our Creator, damaging our families and culture. The Word of God has much to say about how we ought to treat older people.  An older man is to be treated like a father, and an older woman like a mother.  This includes treating them with respect and honor while caring for them and their needs.  Let us consider the Bible teachings about honoring our elders.

Leviticus 19:32 clearly commands Christians, especially our young, to respect and honor our older people, including their parents.  It is in obeying this command that they are showing obedience and reverence to God.  This leads me to the following questions:

1. Why would God care so much about how our young treat and view the elderly?
2. Is Leviticus 19:32 speaking of respecting and honoring the elderly? And if so.
3. Why are respect and honor so valuable to God in our relationship with others, especially the elderly?
4. Why does God connect the way the young treat the elderly with their relationship with Him?
5. What constitutes respect and manners (especially the way we treat the elderly) in society?
6. What tears this down in our society? 
7. And finally, why is this so significant?

Consider the following Scriptures that speak of the elderly and their importance in the eyes of our Creator:

• Proverbs 16:31:  "A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness."
• Proverbs 20:29:  "The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair."  
• Proverbs 6:20:  "
• My son, observe the commandment of your father 
• And do not forsake the teaching of your mother."  
• I Timothy 5:1-2:  "Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father...."
• Job  32:4:  "Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he."

The Word of God is crystal clear.  God commands the young to respect and honor the elderly.  

We live in an egalitarian society where every form of honor or recognition seems to be wiped out except in the courtroom.  Why?  Because our society still regards rising before a judge when he enters the room.  Our society still demands us to show great honor for a magistrate.  The thing that troubles me is that in today's culture, we don't see the same treatment given to our older men and women.   I can assure you that you will be in big trouble if you don't show respect to the judge.  

Today, we live in a culture where there are no rules of how to treat our elders, or how to treat women, certainly not how to treat police officers and those in positions of authority.  God is crystal clear about how we ought to show honor and how much He hates those who fail to accept it.  We see this portrayed in the Old Testament with His prophets.  For example in 2 Kings 2:23-25 God was very angry when they failed to honor Elisha, His prophet.  

"Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, 'Go up, you baldhead; go up, you baldhead!' When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number.  He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria."'

This text shows God's attitude toward those who have a lack of reverence.  We can also infer from this passage that honor is not simply a cultural issue.  All throughout history, every culture has struggled with this matter.  God demands that we honor our elders as well as our civil magistrates even if we disagree with them.  One example is Job 32:4-12.  In this text, we read of Elihu's speech to Job. He was the only one that was not rebuked by God.  Notice that at the end of the book, his words were similar to those of God.  But there was a problem, Elihu was considerably younger than Job.  Even though he disagreed with Job, he expressed himself in a very respectful way. Our young people today do not show this kind of respect for our old, especially when there is disagreement.  Our young need to learn honor and respect for our elderly. By doing this, they are showing obedience and reverence to God. 

I am going to focus on Leviticus 19:32 to speak of the honor that God demands we show, especially the younger, toward the elderly.

"You shall rise up before the gray headed and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD.   Leviticus 19:32

Sadly, in today's culture, this text is a radical statement.  Why?  Because today's youth is idealized, and our people are afraid of getting old.  They don't want their age honored.  They try to deny that they are old.  Nearly everyone wants to live a long life and never get old.  Right?  People even endure surgeries to regain their former youth.  

I want to use Leviticus 19:32 to speak of the standard, the motive and the goal of respect and honor that God demands that we show for the elderly:

I.   THE STANDARD

This is simply the command given by God.  Let us analyze this in three sections:  

• The definition of the word "honor;" 
• The posture of honor and 
• The presence of honor.  

A.  The Definition of the Word "Honor."

The Hebrew word (hadar) is the same word used in verse 15 of Leviticus 9:

 "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor ("hadar") the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor."

This text helps us to define the word honor as being partial to a person.  In the Hebrew parallelism, the two words are seen as being synonyms.  In fact in Exodus 23:3 is translated as "partial."  

"nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute."

In a court of law, a judge is not to show "haddar" to any person.  It means he is not to treat anyone differently whether that person is old, young, rich, poor, great or small.  They are to be equal before the law.  But according to verse 32 of Leviticus 19, they are not all equal outside the court.  You see, verse 32 forbids us to treat all people equally.  It means we are to show partiality, if you will, to some people.  Even though we all have equal rights before the throne of God and our earthly law, we are not to treat others equally in our social relations.

This today is contrary to our modern egalitarianism which tries to destroy all distinctions.  Today, some religious groups want to say that since in Jesus there is neither male nor female, it would be wrong and hateful to treat homosexual marriages differently than those that are heterosexual.  They shamelessly want to demand that we eliminate all distinctions in sexual relations, in our social relationships.  This egalitarian pattern of behavior is also seen repeatedly in our schools and in the home where children are treated the same as adults.  Our children are taught to treat adults the same as their peers.  It is ungodly!

Our feminist culture is not far behind either.  For years, they have tried to destroy all distinctions between the husband and the wife, between men and women in their roles both in the home and the church.  Our God is not pleased when men out of their rebellious heart try to remove all social distinctions.  Isaiah speaks of the terrible state of a nation when a youth is insolent toward the elder.

"And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable."   Isaiah 3:5

So, verse 15 of Leviticus 9 shows that we ought to show honor and respect to individual people. To do this, we must resist our culture.

B.  The Posture of Honor.

So far we have discussed the meaning of honor.  Let us look at my second point, the posture of honor.

• "You shall rise up before the gray headed."  It literally means getting up from our chair when a grey-haired man or woman first enters the room.  So, why is it that our culture and even Christians refuse to do this, even when God commands us?  I realize that this is a law found in the Law of Moses of the Old Testament, but can we be sure that God no longer cares whether we express this respect? Some Christians regard this text as foot washing. They say this is a valid example of honor, but it is not a mandated expression.  Don't you think that posture might be a part of the command to express honor toward the elderly?  Many might say that one can show honor in different ways to the elderly.  They say I don't have to stand up when they enter a room, but I show honor in other ways that they seem to appreciate more.  It is ridiculous!  Why?  Because according to this text, we have a command, not a suggestion.  Second, we have seen that the word "honor" (hadar) means that we are indeed to treat the elderly differently.  Thirdly, God would have never given us this command if it was already a cultural standard.  They seemed to have forgotten that the reason why God gave this command in the first place was because they failed to rise before the elderly.  Their culture like ours was rotten.  God demands that we behave differently from our corrupt culture.  He demands that we rise before the aged.  Are we going to obey what our culture dictates concerning honoring our elderly or are we going to honor what God ordains?  It is obvious that our culture does not want to honor our elderly at all, including our parents.  It is this lack of honor that dictates the lack of standing or rising.

In Proverbs 31:25, we notice that the same words are used to indicate that the excellent woman is clothed in honor (hadar).  In verse 28, it calls us to stand up for our women.  The word rise is the same Hebrew word for stand up. And although the husband has authority, he still rises before her. This is where our Western society got their chivalry.  They got it from the Bible.  The husband rises before his wife not because she is in authority but rather because he simply wants to honor her.

Without a doubt, we are commanded by God to rise before our elderly.  Husbands are to show honor to their wives.  Children are to show honor to their parents.  Honor includes praise and respect.

In Nehemiah 8:5 we read of how the people stood up when Ezra opened the book of the Law:

"And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood."

This is how the people showed honor and reverence to God's Word.  Standing or rising means showing honor to God's Ordinances.  God demands this respect from men.

"Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise."  Nehemiah 9:5

My question is, why does the Bible command us to stand or rise before the elderly?  I think it is because there is a close connection between our bodies and our spirits.  Our body's posture influences our spirit's attitude.  Therefore, God wants our bodies to be in harmony with our spirit's desires.

Notice what I Timothy 5:1 says,

"Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father (assuming that you treat your father with respect), younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity."

According to this text, the way we speak to each other should reflect differences in age, roles, and positions.  God commands a posture of honor.  Let us honor what the Word of God dictates and not what our culture dictates.  I encourage all of us to start putting this command of courtesy into practice especially with our children.  Posture and honor affect the way we do things.  Let this sink in deeply!

C.  The Presence of Honor.

Honor conveys the need for presence.  Out text reads, "honor the face of the aged."   Face to face communication is crucial to show honor.  We are not just commanded to honor our parents but our elderly in general.  We must show honor to our aged with our presence.  It takes effort and planning.  God wants to make a distinction between the young and immature and those who are aged and mature.  So why is it that most people want to tear down the structure of what God demands of us which is to honor the aged?  It is not an option; it is a command that you cannot dismiss even if you are the one being honored.  It is simply the Law of God, and it must be obeyed.

For the aged, they are to be models of righteousness to the younger.  The point is that we must manifest God's grace to all those who see us by our righteous deeds.  And although the body might be decaying, the soul is being renewed and must manifest God's image and grace.

II.  THE MOTIVE

So far we have considered the standard or command.  Let us then consider the reason for obeying this command.

"and you shall revere (fear) your God."  The motive for honoring the elderly is not to have a better relationship or be liked by them but rather because God commands it.  It is because we fear, that is revere God.  In fact, there is a parallel structure between honoring the elderly and showing reverence to God.  When we fear God, we are going to honor the elderly and all those above us in authority.  If we don't show such reverence, we are not fearing God.  Notice what Mark 7:6 says about honoring our parents.

"This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.  But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men."

Later He lists one of the commandments that the Pharisees had violated.

"He was also saying to them, 'You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother; and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death'; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.'"  Mark 7:9-11

It is like Jesus is saying, "You dishonor Me when you fail to honor your parents and the elderly."  I assure you that when our egalitarian society hears Christ's judgment on those who curse their parents, that they are worthy of death, they are in shock.  God sees it as a more serious issue than we do.  A lack of reverence toward our parents will produce a shallow reverence toward God.  They go together, hand in hand.  A society that fails to honor and revere God will fail to honor and respect the elderly and vice versa.  It is a fact!

It was no surprise to me when I heard that an Ethiopian communist society outlawed all signs of respect for the aged, bowing or rising before the elderly.  In fact, they have diligently humiliated the elderly by forcing them to obey the commands of children in front of others.  It fit in well with their atheistic standpoint.  Nor is it surprising to me that the Eskimos practiced euthanasia of the elderly.  Moreover, for the same reason, it is not surprising to see that our country is going in the same direction very fast.

We are cursed when we fail to honor our parents.  Why?  Because it is God's Law.  Ephesians 6:1

Sadly, we live in a culture where our sacred duties are often turned over to the state.  Some Christians even expect others to do public charity rather than doing their own private piety.  They seem to have forgotten to honor their parents and many times expect the church to support and take care of their parents even though they can afford to do it themselves.  Some churches go as far as to excuse those who sin, partaking of their sin by accepting their obligation in their place.   They appear to have forgotten the command given by God that says, "If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."  I Timothy 5:16.  Take notice that the church must not be charged with the care of the aged Christians when their children are still alive and are capable of meeting their needs and care.  Such Christians should not be indulged or excused but rather withdrawn from if they willingly refuse to honor their God given moral and spiritual obligations of honoring their parents.  Children who refuse and neglect to meet these God given responsibilities toward their parents are worse than unbelievers, I Timothy 5:8.  Society will disintegrate when honor toward each other is lost.  The Word of God demands to put away self-honor.  

In Malachi 4:6, God declared of John the Baptist, "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

God's goal was to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and vice-versa. In 2 Chronicles we see a description of an ungodly nation that had no compassion toward their elderly and the weak.  What do you think that says about our nation that willingly aborts babies but also kills our elderly in the nursing homes when their insurance runs out?  We see this breakdown in Isaiah 3:4-5 between the old and the young as a result of God's judgment.

"And I will make mere lads their princes, and capricious children will rule over them, and the people will be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor; the youth will storm against the elder and the inferior against the honorable."

Again, it is when we fear and honor God that we are going to honor our elderly, our women, our officers, and magistrates.  Our motive must be what drives us to fear and revere God and His authority.

III.  THE GOAL

Our goal must be that of glorifying God.

"I am the LORD," or literally I am Jehovah.  Did you know that phrase occurs 14 times in this chapter?  It is also a recurrent reminder that God is our goal and our pattern of holiness as well as the supplier of such holiness.  God supplies the grace that works holiness in our lives.  Notice that this chapter 19 starts out by saying, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy."  The LORD (Jehovah) is the covenant God associated with redemption.  In a few words, it is only by grace that this command can properly be fulfilled.  Why?  Because our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the ONLY One Who can restore all broken relationships.  Satan because of SIN has ruined the relationship between the young and the old.  Christ's sacrifice on the cross was intended to take away the sin that breaks relationships.  God not only gives us that command but also the strength and perseverance to obey it.  Our goal is to be conformed to the image of God.  We are to be holy because He is holy.  We are to imitate Him.  The Spirit honors the Son, and the Son honors and glorifies the Father.  The Son submits to the Father (just as the husband is to honor his wife who is under his authority).  The Father honors the Son.  This is imitating God.

IV.  THE PROBLEM WITH A YOUTH DOMINATED CULTURE:

We live in a youth dominated culture.  Everything is marketed to youth.  Everything is being cut or diced up into small portions or groups by age.  As a terrible result of this, we now have the so called "youth groups" activities, the "young adults" classes, the "baby boomers," and so on.  I am not against the whole idea or arranging such activities especially for our young people, women or perhaps those who are more "mature."  I have observed that some make of these differences in age a "church within a church."  What is even worse, some select our young out of the church to form their own group.   Are you not aware that by doing this, we are undoing the Lord's work, cutting it short?  We need each other in the body of Christ.  The church is a family.  We are not a family unless we work together and associate with each other:  the older men, the older women, the younger women, etc.  The church needs the idealism and the energy of the young.  It also needs the wisdom, counsel and reflection of the older, the mature.

  Consider how dominated our culture is toward youth:

1. Clothes are designed to be sold to the young.
2. The film industry appeals only to the young.
3. Products are marketed to appeal to the youth.
4. And even our churches seek to be fashionably attractive to the young.

This leads me to these questions:

• What is it that we are teaching our youth?  
• Are we actually teaching them humility, selflessness, service, and respect for the aged?  
• Are we teaching a culture to  value human life, no matter what the disability, the age?  
• Are we producing a culture that encourages the extermination of the elderly and other groups of people for a variety of reasons?  
• Have we forgotten John's words when he addressed "children," "fathers" and "young men" in I John 2:12-14?  
• Have we forgotten what Paul told Titus about teaching "older men," "older women," "younger women" and so on?  Titus 2:1-6.

V.  THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOSS OF RESPECT AND HONOR IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR IRREVERENCE TOWARD GOD:

When a society loses respect and honor for people, the result is spiritual bankruptcy.  It also means they have lost all respect and reverence toward God and His authority.  Moreover, it means they have lost respect, fear and reverence toward God's righteousness.  This will show in the way they dress.  It will show in their irreverent behavior and their way of speech.  The consequence of all this is a de-emphasis of God, the loss of morality, ethics and standards of good and evil.  When a society dismisses God, the source of all righteousness, righteousness itself is expelled from that society.

VI.  THE SOLUTION:  HUMILITY, SELFLESSNESS, RESPECT AN LOVE:  

The Word of God teaches us to be humble.  James 4:6-10; I Peter 5:6.  To be loving toward all people, Philippians 2:3-5.  This is reflected in our speech, manners and behavior.  We must teach our young to honor the aged by rising in their presence, by treating them with respect, love and honor, by visiting them as well as ministering to them in the fear of God and to His glory.

Consider how the church can be involved in teaching the young:

1. The church must be involved in teaching the young doctrinal Truth and how it pertains to life. 
2. The church must be teaching leadership, genuineness and discipleship to our young.  
3. Our young need more age integrating with church life.  It means they need more integration with other age groups and that includes the aged, elderly.
4. Our young need to be taught more understanding of the Truth and Biblical authority to be faithful in doctrine and live a holy life.
5. Christian parents must teach their children about moral righteousness based on the Word of God, the Bible.
6. Our young must be taught to resolve life's questions and issues from a Biblical view of thinking rather than a worldly view.
7. To be faithful to the Word of God, Christians as well as parents will need to endure the pressures from without and within.

If parents and the church don't start teaching all the above, tragedy and spiritual bankruptcy is right down the road.  The Word of God honors age not youth.  A person who has dedicated his whole life to serving God and His rule; who has walked in the paths of wisdom and righteousness, is surely worthy of high honor than the youth who has only just begun.  Don't you think?

So, I leave you with these questions:

• Do you honor the Word of God by honoring the aged or are we honoring youth instead?   
• Or are we proudly building a church for the young at the expense of the aged?  
• Is it our primary goal to build a church that caters to the youth?  
• Are we building an institution that subordinates each individual by groups based on their age? 
• Are we boasting about the number of our young but at the same time disregard our older ones? Surely with this behavior, we are missing the Bible's emphasis on honoring age.

May we seek after wisdom and righteousness so that we can share our wisdom with the young and foolish when we reach our golden years.  May we honor the aged as God has commanded us.  May we double honor the grey-haired and rise in their presence, giving the honor our God requires of us. Let the words of the Psalmist sink deep into your hearts,

"Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing."  Psalm 92:13-14

Luci 

BE STRONG, ACT LIKE MEN!

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love."

I Corinthians 16:13-14

I am not ashamed to say that without Adam, there would not have been Eve. Let us applaud the worthy men who have accepted the great work of fathering children and being a father and husband to their children. Fatherhood belongs in marriage and the home that stands for a lifetime. Fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers: nothing can take their places.

This coming Sunday, many will be observing Father's Day and honoring their fathers.  I would like to give tribute to all of those godly men who try so hard to be the men that God would want them to be, especially my husband and my brothers in Christ.  With this in mind, let me begin by asking, "What is a godly dad, and what does he do?"  "How important or vital is a godly husband and father in the home?"  Let us read what Scripture says about that:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.... So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself"  (Ephesians 5:25-28).

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord"  (Ephesians 6:4).

For our men to be good husbands, fathers, active leaders in the church, and lights that shine brightly in this world of darkness, they must start "acting like men."  They must cast aside our culture's deceiving messages, stereotypical roles, and values for God's principles of righteousness and His divinely defined roles.  They must submit to His principles of righteousness, allowing Him to rule in their hearts to motivate them to godliness and manliness.  They must focus their minds on spiritual things (Col. 3:1-4).  Heaven must be their primary goal. That goal demands a total commitment to the Lord.  They must be faithful no matter how high the cost they might have to pay in life.  Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as many other heroes of faith, have left excellent examples for our men to follow. 

Consider the apostle Paul, who, though standing alone in defense of the Gospel, continued to stand (2 Tim. 4:16).  Remember, brothers, that you belong to the Lord, for He has bought you with a price.  He shed His blood to purchase you from the slavery of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19).  So, you must no longer live as you please, but do the Lord's will (Matt. 16:24; 7:21).  You must not, under any circumstance, stop serving the Lord faithfully, for your attitude must be like that of the apostle Paul, "press on"  (Phil. 3:12-15).  You must live godly, be mature in Christ, do the good works, teach, encourage, and correct others in both word and deed (Titus 2:14; Eph. 2:10). 

I don't see any other way you, as a man of God, can be of any value to your Lord!  Why not start giving yourself to the Lord in service to Him and those around you?  Why not become the man that God wants you to be?  Why not spend more time studying and meditating on God's Sacred Book to learn and develop righteous and godly habits?  Learn what you must do to be a godly man of God, for you must keep your heart open and tender to God's instructions.  Seek God's counsel when you face doubts and concerns.  Be determined to be different from the world and consecrate yourself to God alone, for it is the only way to do God's will and be in harmony with His Teachings.

Sadly most men, young and old, have few principles of righteousness and have very little interest in those things that are spiritual and profitable to their faith. Instead, they are interested in walking the easiest path to pleasure, for their affections are set on everything worldly and ungodly.  They have no hope and nothing to look forward to after death.  They are already dead in their sins.  But for you Christian men, you have the life of our Lord Jesus Christ living in you so that you can faithfully serve Him and become more like Him.  That must be your highest goal in life!

Brothers, remember that "manliness" or being "manly" is an essential quality for men, especially husbands.  To be "manly," a man must be brave and courageous.  Husbands, you must be ready to shoulder your responsibility as heads of your household even in times of adversity and problems in life.  You must not surrender, for you must act like a man to be rewarded in this life and in the life to come, with eternal blessings.  Moreover, you must fulfill your God-giving obligations to your children to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4).  You must also show them the way that they must go to please their Creator and be saved (Prov. 22:6).  May the Lord give you the wisdom to love your children and do what is right before God!


I.   ACCORDING TO GOD, WHAT IS A MAN?

God defines a man much more differently than the world does.  He shows in Ezekiel 22:30 the qualities of a man of God.  He wants men who will "make up the hedge."  Men who will take a stand for righteousness amid so much darkness.  He wants men who will "stand in the gap."  Men who are willing to fight for what's right no matter the cost.  He is looking for godliness in men more than manly appearance.  He wants men to go far beyond appearances, for He wants men to be fashioned in His likeness.  In Ezekiel 22:30, God sought for men who were more than just physically strong.  Sadly, He didn't find the men He was looking for because he looked for godly men.  It is time for our older men, our fathers, to start teaching, training, and defining what a man of God is and to start setting godly character, the high standards of Scripture, as goals for our young men to reach toward. Our God still wants to find men who are willing to be used by Him, but our older men, fathers, and leaders, must train them up to be spiritually strong so that they may be men of God.  This training must instill the characteristics, commands, and duties of a "godly man."

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none"  (Ezekiel 22:30).

• Four Areas Men Must Develop to Become Godly Men: 

1. Spiritual:   The command is given by our Lord to be "strong" in Corinthians 16:13.  It does not refer to having physical muscles.  It means to be spiritually strong, strong in their faith and in their character of Jesus Christ.  That character or Spirit of Christ to help them control their mind (mental and emotional) and his body (physically). 
2. Mental:  God demands all men to have a "sound mind" in 2 Timothy 1:7.  To use it to think clearly, commit to love the Truth, and be the best servant in His vineyard. 
3. Emotional:  God's Word instructs all men, especially the young, to know how to express their emotions.  They must train their minds to be like Christ's mind.  Their emotions must be trained to be under His control according to the Word of God (Philippians 2:5).
4. Physical:  Taking care of their body so that it is physically fit to be used by God.  They must exercise the body to control it and bring it under the discipline of his mind.  They must learn to train their body to be strong, durable, and coordinated (1Timothy 4:8).  And though our text states that "bodily training is of some value," there is some value in consistent physical activity of some kind as long as such activities do not become excessively important to them.  Thus, it is good for men to train their bodies to be strong, durable, and well-coordinated. 

God in Ezekiel 22:30 found no man that He could use for His glory.  Our God is still seeking men who are willing to be His men of valor and honor.  The towns and cities in our country lack spiritually strong men to teach the whole counsel of God. There are not enough godly men interested in God's high calling to be preachers, teachers, and elders.

There is a critical need for men,

1. That would go into the fields and labor for God and His kingdom.  
2. That would be fathers who are spiritual leaders in their homes. 
3. Who would put God first in the lives of those whom God has entrusted to him, his family. 
4. Who would teach and worship our God in their homes every second of their lives with family devotions, praying, and counsel. 
5. Who would live a committed life for our Lord and Savior, bearing good fruit to shine their light in this world of darkness.   
6. Who would be leaders of their home in word and deed without any hypocrisy.   
7. Who would not abandon their God-ordained role as head of their home.
8. That would be like Abraham, godly fathers, the right kind of man, the image of a godly (godfearing) father.
9. That would practice love and joy in the lives of their children.   
10. That would be godly fathers that still want to remain pure in a society full of so much darkness.   
11. That would seek to practice pure speech.   
12. That would avoid everything harmful to not pollute his home.   

Sadly, we live in a culture where Dad is Mr. Mom due to a lack of godly leadership, perhaps divorce, or even same-sex marriage.  It is vital for the man who professes to be a Christian to understand and apply godly principles in his life and be aware of what God, through His everlasting Word, expects and demands of him as a father and husband.   There is no consistent training in the area of godly Christian manhood for our young men or boys in our culture.  They are not being taught by their fathers and leaders the meaning of Christian manhood and how to develop godly character in them.  Satan has been working hard and has well organized his training for our young men.  His evil training has saturated our present society, including the Lord's church, so that our young men cannot escape it altogether.  Satan has effectively succeeded in fighting all that is Christian manhood.  Consider how Satan has saturated our present culture:

1. He has deceived many of our men with his empty philosophies that lead to nothing more than the destruction of the home.   
2. His evil training has come through Hollywood T.V. shows, movies, books, magazines, the internet, newspapers, etc.
3. Through the worldly influence of so-called Christian friends, those who are not walking upright. 
4. Through unbelieving acquaintances and worldly men in positions of influence. 
5. So often through poor parental example.  

Living in a feminist culture, our men have access to more women for fornication without guilt or obligation to marry. They get the pregnancy without the baby. They get the date without picking up the check. They are not required to be gentlemen. No opening doors, no pulling out chairs, no providing, no protecting, and no male responsibility. All because everything is "equal." In other words, modern feminism is the perfect recipe for men to side-step God's call for how to treat a woman. But a godly man knows better. A godly man knows he is equal in value but different in role. He knows that he can be a protector, a provider, and a husband without being "toxic" or "dangerous." Men, it is easy to go along with a movement that encourages you to be lazy. It is no small wonder why so many men have eagerly jumped on board!  Jesus calls on you to not do what most men do. Follow the example of godly men. Cherish women. Value them and listen to them. But don't accept the temptation to abandon your role as true and godfearing men in the process! 


II.   OUR YOUNG MEN NEED GODLY MEN TO MENTOR THEM:

Indeed, our young men need godly men in their life.  They need godly mature men to teach them by example, godly attitudes, speech, and conduct.  The most important man in their life must be their father.  As they get older, they will listen to other men, watch, and spend time with them to develop godliness and manliness.  Men whom they can follow as an example of manhood and who are walking as faithful servants of God (Phil. 3:17).  They must also learn to walk away from those who are not walking righteously but sinfully, in rebellion toward God (2 Thess. 3:6).

Our young men must learn in an organized manner the practical details of spiritual warfare.  They need to be taught by their fathers and leaders all the Bible applications, foundations, and principles to apply them to themselves.  Because of their leadership position, the Lord demands that men, fathers, and leaders train our young boys in godly character and responsibilities.  Each of our boys has a specific job or specific position in the Lord's service.  It means that our young men must aim to become men of God:  a man who is fit and well prepared to be used by God according to His divine plan.  We must train our boys to be spiritually strong men of God: men who are prepared to invest their time, character, and talents in the Lord's work, in whatever area of service to which God directs them.  We must acknowledge that character building is of the Lord.  It is our Lord who raises up men of valor to serve Him!  Our Lord, through His revealed Word, can develop in them good and godly habits that produce godly manhood.  It is about time that our men get right with our God, that they may give their lives as a living sacrifice to our Lord, that they may let the Lord use them for His glory, and, most importantly, start acting like real men of God, like men!  I assure you the Lord will provide through His Word a plan to prepare them.  He provides what is necessary to refine and strengthen the character in a young's man life.

It is crucial for our older men, those to whom God have been given the duty or responsibility of training our young men, to instill the character of Jesus and shape the heart of our young men in their life. God's definition of a man goes beyond the physical characteristics that the world uses to define a man. It is often contrary to the speech, attitudes, and behavior that the world expects to find in a man.

1. Our young desperately need men who reflect godly character (a life filled with the fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5:22) and commitment to the Lord.
2. Men who are faithful to God with their talents, time, and money.  
3. Men who accept that God's ways are higher than theirs, for such men recognize God's absolute authority in their life (Phil. 2:12).  
4. Men who willingly obey God's commands and counsel without arguing, complaining, or making bargains.  
5. Men who accept discipline and correction from God and others without complaining, getting angry, or feeling sorry for themselves.  
6. Men committed to God show their love to Him through obedience to Him and His Words.  
7. Men who are humble and fear God, for they respect His authority in their life.

Our young men must be taught to submit to the voice of authority (Hebrews 13:17).  To submit means to surrender, to give up resistance, and to yield in both attitude and behavior to the will of another person rather than grudging obedience.  Our young must learn to give up their own desires without fighting, complaining, or arguing with those who are in authority over them.  They must be disciplined or chastised to follow God's standards and principles and develop good and godly habits while still young.  Chastisement will teach them obedience to God and His wisdom.  It will drive foolishness out of them and train them to be more sober-minded (Prov. 22:15; Titus 2:6).  Likewise, chastisement will teach them the fear of God and help them to build a tender conscience for right and wrong.  The more one is taught through correction and discipline, the more he will be conscious of that which is righteous, for it strengthens our faith to better understand God's ways.

Sadly, Isaiah 3:12 applies equally to the condition of our families, the church, and our Christians today. Our boys are not being taught all that is necessary to build godly character in them.  They are not being taught in the areas that they need to develop into a man of God, manhood.

"As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths"  (Isaiah 3:12).

Before I start with the characteristics of what makes a real man, a "godly man," I would like to start with the definition of what godliness is and what it means to be godly.  To be godly means to be devout, that is, to be a Cornelius as in Acts 10 or an Abraham.  Such a man does that which is well-pleasing to God.  Godliness is fear or reverence toward God.

"And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding'"  (Job 28:28).

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love"  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

III.   CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY MAN:   (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Let us analyze in-depth what a "godly man" would look like.

1. He would be a man "on the alert."  He is aware that he has to watch with intense vigilance his own soul and the souls of those whom he loves to protect them.  He will be watchful and careful. He knows that we are engaged in a spiritual war against a crafty and dangerous enemy. 
2. He is to "stand firm in the faith."  He knows that he can succeed in standing firm only if he completely surrenders to God, obeying Him with all of his heart, soul, and mind.  He surrenders to God's wisdom, not earthly wisdom. 
3. "Act like men."  He shows himself as a real man in Christ.  He labors intensely to prove himself worthy of God, courageous in his steadfastness and his judgment.  He will not compromise his principles as cowards do.   
4. "Be strong."  He is strong.  His eyes are fixed on Jesus, and he will not release his grip.  He trusts in His God with all of his strength, heart, soul, and mind. 
5. "Let all that you do be done in love."  He knows that all he does in word and deed must be done in a spirit of love toward God and toward his neighbor.  He shines his light before all men. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 is crystal clear about how men are to behave before God.

1. They are to behave like real men. 
2. They are to be responsible. 
3. They are to be grounded in their faith. 
4. They are to show strength in every area of their life. 
5. They are to do all things in the spirit of Christian love.   

In 1 Timothy 4:7, the apostle Paul speaks to Timothy regarding spiritual discipline as personal urgency.  "Train yourself for godliness."  The word "train" in our context comes from the word "gummos," which means "naked" and is the same word from which we derive our English word "gymnasium."  The Greeks participated in traditional athletic contests without clothing so as not to be burdened or encumbered.  Thus, the word "train" originally carried the meaning "to exercise naked."  In the New Testament, it refers to exercise and training in general (the sweat of a good workout).  It is like Paul was saying, "gymnasticize (exercise, work out, train) yourself for the purpose of godliness."  In a few words, Paul is calling for some spiritual sweat!  Just as athletes discarded everything that could possibly burden them, so must we get rid of every encumbrance, association, bad habit, and tendency that impedes godliness.  Brothers, for you to excel, you must strip yourselves down to a lean, spiritual nakedness.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"  (Hebrews 12:1).  

Men, you will never get anywhere spiritually without a conscious and strenuous divestment of those things that hold you back!  So, examine your hearts and ask yourselves, "What are those things that are weighing me down?  God calls you to discipline.  God's discipline demands that you throw it off.  Are you man enough to train yourself for godliness and direct all of your energy toward it?  Remember Paul's words,

"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified"  (1 Cor. 9:25-27).  

Paul talks about intense labor, energetic sweat, strenuous toil, agony, and endeavor to be godly!  A godly and successful Christian life demands sweat!  No manliness, no maturity!  No discipline, no discipleship!  No sweat, no sanctification, and holiness!

• Stand Firm:

Men are called to stand firm or stand fast in their faith, be on the alert, act like men, be strong, and do everything in love.  To stand firm or stand fast is a military term meaning to "hold your position." There is no room for retreating.  The Greek word is stēkō which reminds us of driving a stake into the ground.  The term “Stand firm or stand fast” is used several times in the Bible.  "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong"  (1 Corinthians 16:13).  Today, many fail to stand firm and keep the faith. Men must be on guard, alert, and be watchful against those things which cause them to want to retreat.  All Christians are commanded to stand firm to be saved (Matthew 24:13).  So, what are some reasons that many fail to stand firm?

• Pride:  

What is so bad about pride? Shouldn’t we take pride in some things? Well, the pride I’m talking about is described here: "In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, 'There is no God'"  (Psalm 10:4).  A proud man thinks so much of himself that he does not think of God. This is haughty pride, which is the opposite of the spirit of humility that God seeks: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The “poor in spirit” are those who recognize their utter spiritual bankruptcy and their inability to come to God except for God’s mercy and grace. On the other hand, the proud are so blinded by their pride that they think they have no need of God or, worse, that God should accept them as they are because they deserve His acceptance rather than admitting and acknowledging their poverty of soul.  

In 1 Corinthians 1:31, the Corinthian church had many problems, and most of them were the result of pride. Paul dealt with these problems separately in chapter 13. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4).   The word translated “proud” comes from a Greek word meaning to “puff up” or “blow up.” The phrase “having a big head” communicates the same idea. To be puffed up is to have an inflated opinion or ego of oneself.  Pride cannot coexist with godly love. Christian love is not proud or focused on self. Jesus Christ is our example. He did everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).  "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends"  (John 15:13).  What does this have to do with standing firm? "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall"  (Proverbs 16:18).   If we do not rely on our faith, we are headed for a fall. “Be on your guard!”

• Pain:  

God calls men to stand firm in their faith and be strong even during pain (2 Cor. 4:8-9, 16-17).  Paul lists several types of pain:  mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Men must stand firm in their faith when pain and suffering come instead of retreating and resign.  They must be strong for their family and those whom God has charged that they care for.  They must fix their eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen and think of the reward so that they can stand firm.  Moreover, a man of God will rely on his faith toward God and stand firm in times of unhappiness and happiness.  They have learned to control their passions (feelings and emotions), for they stand firm, abounding in the work of the Lord as their main passion.  The word “passion” means to suffer, to undergo evils, to be afflicted, as in the passion (suffering) of  Christ. “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion (suffering) by many infallible proofs...” (Acts 1:3).  Passion means strong emotions and feelings. Anything worthwhile will involve some suffering, some affliction, and some passion (feelings and emotions).

• False Teaching:  

A man of God will stand firm in the faith against false teaching. He will "continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel"  (Colossians 1:23).

• Sexual Immorality:  

He will likewise flee from sexual immorality and will honor God with his body.  He will not give into any temptation that will cause him to sin and fail to stand firm until the end (1 Corinthians 5:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20).  He recognizes that sin will take him farther than he wants to go and keep him longer than he wants to stay, and cost him more than he would want to pay.  He will remain faithful to God's principles of righteousness with tooth and claw until the end!

• Discipline:

• God wants men to be disciplined in purity.  

He does not want men who are desensitized to sin and our culture's acceptable indulgence, for such men are primed for a fall!

• He is also calling for men to be disciplined for marriage. 

They must fix their minds on Jesus and love their wife with sacrificial love, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).  God has already addressed the love of a husband as modeled by the love that Christ has for His bride, the church. There is no better example than the love of our Father in heaven toward us, His children.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.... So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself"  (Ephesians 5:25-28).

• God also wants men to be disciplined for fatherhood.  

Men, as fathers, you must sweat in your fatherly workout, for you must bring your children up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).  Men, as fathers, you have that power!

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord"  (Ephesians 6:4).

• Men, if you want to be godly men, you must discipline your mind and have the mind of Christ.  

That is, you must think, talk, and act like Christ.  You must put into practice the exhortation given in Philippians 4:8.  A godly mind does not refuse discipline but acknowledges that he must put off anything that will hinder godliness.  Remember, you can never have a godly mind without reading and studying the Scriptures regularly.  When you fill yourself with God's Word, your life can be transformed into the image of God.  You must meditate on God's Law day and night (Psalm 1:2).  You cannot progress without learning them thoroughly, memorizing them, and making them a part of your everyday life. 

• You must also discipline yourself in prayer, for the Enemy approaches with fiery barrages. 

You must reach up and reposition your helmet and carefully test the edge of your sword and slip it back into your scabbard.  A good and brave soldier falls to his knees with sincere, profound petitionary prayer, for he obeys God's instructions to take up all in prayer (Eph. 6:18).

• You must discipline yourself in worship and praise toward God. 

Not only on Sundays but every minute of your life.

• Integrity must be part of your daily discipline.  

Truth and integrity are vital to your walk with God.  Integrity is one of the greatest needs in the church today.  The church desperately needs men of integrity, for our lost world longs for freedom from dishonesty.  Thus, you must model honesty and integrity.  A godly man keeps his word.  He will never promise to do something he does not intend to do or follow through with.  He does not conveniently forget what he has promised.  Faithfulness, one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), is the trademark of a godly man.  The Scriptures speak of this man of integrity as one who "keeps his oath even when it hurts."  "He is unique"  "Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?"  (Prov. 20:6).  Indeed, integrity is a rare beauty!

• A godly man disciplines his tongue.  

He knows the destructive power of the tongue (James 3:3-6).  The tongue has inflammatory power in human relationships.  James says that those who misuse their tongue are guilty of spiritual arson.  For it corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire.

• He also disciplines himself to work with enthusiasm, wholeheartedness, and excellence.  

He also focuses on Jesus, for he runs with perseverance the race marked out for him.  He does not grow weary and lose heart.  He disciplines himself to be a good leader in the church and embraces it with wisdom.  Men, you must sweat like Joshua if you want to improve your leadership abilities.

• A godly man disciplines himself to reach out to the lost and win souls to the glory of God.  

He has a heart filled with love, so he is willing to go the extra mile to reach out to those souls lost in sin.  Our Lord Jesus longs for your heart to beat with His!


CONCLUSION:

If all men did what God demands of them, they would be effective fathers, husbands, leaders in the church, and shining lights to a world dying because of sin.   This ought to motivate each man to godliness and manliness!  

In today's world and even in the church, a disciplined Christian is an exception, not the rule.  This applies to both men and women.  We cannot justify ourselves, claiming that this has always been the case, for it has not!  Our nation and the church are in desperate need of real men, and you must choose to be that man!  The kind of man that will make a difference in this life because he disciplines himself to serve His Creator.  Fathers, the presence or absence of spiritual discipline can bless or damn your children and grandchildren.  Thus, spiritual discipline blesses the world you live in and the world to come.  So are you willing to sweat?  Are you willing to enter the gymnasium of godly discipline?  Will you strip away those things that are holding you back?  Will you allow the Word of God to discipline you?  Are you willing to sweat with pain that you might receive great gain?  You see, God is looking for a few great, real, and good men that will allow Him to train and discipline them!

Thanks be to God for every godly man and father who is sincerely seeking to lead their children, especially his boys, in the direction of heaven.  May his tribe increase for the glory of God and His kingdom.

May the Lord help our brothers in Christ be godly men and fulfill the great need that godliness provides and demands.

Luci