Credit where credit's due

World Vision has rescinded its decision to accept homosexual marriage. That they did so in a contrite manner speaks volumes. That they did so while maintaining a compassionate stance toward those practicing homosexuality speaks volumes as well.

Recognizing that Christ's love excludes no one while it cannot accept the sin of anyone is a biblical view that informs their decision.

A Lack of Vision from World Vision

As the Hollywood American Indian Stereotype would say, World Vision's U.S. President Richard Stearns "speaks with a forked tongue."

From one side of his mouth, Stearns insists

"It's easy to read a lot more into this decision than is really there," he said. "This is not an endorsement of same-sex marriage. We have decided we are not going to get into that debate. Nor is this a rejection of traditional marriage, which we affirm and support."

From the other side he says

"Changing the employee conduct policy to allow someone in a same-sex marriage who is a professed believer in Jesus Christ to work for us makes our policy more consistent with our practice on other divisive issues," he said. "It also allows us to treat all of our employees the same way: abstinence outside of marriage, and fidelity within marriage."

How does this decision "affirm and support" traditional marriage? By making this decision, what World Vision has done is exactly what Stearns claims not to have done: They have inserted themselves into the debate.

Stearns goes on to say that World Vision is simply "deferring to the authority of churches and denominations on theological issues."So World Vision is an organization that does Christian work, that claims to adhere to Christian principles, but those principles are in a fluid state, dependent upon the views of denominations?

The Bible says sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is sin. If World Vision says it adheres to the biblical definition of marriage, then this decision is saying to the world that homosexual sex is the only sex acceptable outside of marriage.

World Vision says it is deferring to denominations. Where World Vision should be deferring to is biblical authority.





http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/march-web-only/world-vision-why-hiring-gay-christians-same-sex-marriage.html

A Little More Salt, Please

We are not salt in the community, and all too many churches have become love clubs. They preach the love of Christ minus commitment to His teachings. In a well intentioned desire to reach as many as possible they have abandoned truth in favor of full pews.

But regarding Salt in society and the consequences of the lack thereof. I have been struggling with that. Under a king or dictator, choice is simple. Obey or face the penalty for disobedience. But in a Democracy, we ARE the government.

Our best choice I believe is to preach the Gospel in its entirety, to all who will listen. Then in peace and love affect change through voting rights. BUT, man's laws are not at the heart of the problem. It's the heart. When the laws are contrary to the Word, like abortion and euthanasia laws, we are commanded to oppose, but in truth and love. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. And the very freedoms we cherish in this country are the ones that allow society to sink to the lowest common denominator.