The following comment is from a fellow Christian blogger who describes our tolerance for sin better than I. “ We are taught the truth that “all have sinned” and the truth that we live in corruptible bodies that are prone to sinful behaviors until we “put on incorruption”; therefore, we surrender to tolerating our sins rather than concentrating on the “putting to death the misdeeds of the body” (Ro. 8), and, of course as you point out, a lack of teaching on the justice (wrath) of God.” Read JD’s full comment at the end of this post for a link to two Bible-based poems he had written on the subject.)
(The following is my response/comment to a blog that discussed the unfairness of a Christian school which refused enrollment to the child of lesbian parents.)
I see the point you are making about ‘ye without sin cast the first stone. And the Love of God, indeed, is far beyond anything we know in the mortal realm. To know the Love of God…is to ‘KNOW’ God. When one
Lu 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
KNOWS God in an intimate way…one KNOWS the depths of the depravity of sin. One knows sin is, indeed, deadly to the mortal spirit. It is darkness. It is always…always…always suggested by Satan…always. And man chooses whether he will act on the suggestion. Sin is never justifiable…..whether our own sin…or the sin of another. God sent part of Himself…in the person of the Son…to demonstrate the all-encompassing love of the Father by way of dying the sinner’s death for each man who will accept the ‘pearl of great price’…Life through Christ our redeemer. He planned the ‘lamb slain from the foundation of the world’…before He allowed defenseless Eve to be ’beguiled’ by ‘the most subtle deceiver’ in order to be in the image of God…knowing both good and evil. (Gen 3:22)
Modern Christianity has so twisted the Love of God that we have made Him like ourselves. We have given Him a tolerance for sin….one like our own tolerance of sin. We perpetuate the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes which says ‘Christ’s death covers all unrepented sin…because God is Love.’ God hated the doctrine. And it is the most wide-spread doctrine preached in the Church…even today. And you are correct when you say God’s love is for all man. But there is a LOT more to God than that one truth. If we were to take the true living God…in His fulness…in His glory…in His perfection…as readily as we take the concept of His all-inclusive Love….we would HATE sin. And the sin of homosexuality is one shown to be an ‘abomination’ since it takes what is intended to be the Temple of God and makes it the Temple of Satan. Hard words…but true.
The 19th chapter of Genesis records the depth of depravity which is…..homosexuality. The two angels from God came to deliver Lot and family from the destruction about to fall on Sodom. The roving band of homosexuals learned of the presence of the two angels and came to Lot’s house for only one purpose…. the purpose of having sexual relations with the two male angels. Lot offered them his virgin daughters. They refused. The angels and Lot were locked inside the house when the band of gay men attempted to break down the door to rape the angels. The intended attack by these vile men was stopped by the power of the angels who smote the gay men with blindness. God does not hate sinners. It is the sinner who hates God. It is the sinner who loves evil. It is the abominable sinner who chose to serve the enemy of God and who themselves became the enemy of God. So the men who rejected God for the pleasures of lust were destroyed with all left in Sodom as God rained down fire and brimstone from Heaven.
When Christ told Peter, ‘Get behind me Satan,’ He directed the words to Satan…not to Peter.. When the archangel, Michael strove with Satan over the body of Moses, the words ‘The Lord rebuke thee’ were words of authorty…not of hatred.!
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Sin is dangerous, cancerous in degenerative influence, and spiritually fatal to those who stay unrepentant and fallen.
1co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
1co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you
1co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Romans chapter one clearly shows the dangerous state of the person who has given himself or herself over to homosexuality.
Ro 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse
Ro 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Ro 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Ro 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Ro 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Ro 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Ro 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Ro 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Ro 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers
Ro 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Ro 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Ro 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Sin, indeed, when finished is DEATH….no matter how completely we attempt to cover it with the Love of God. One who chooses to practice the pleasures of lust are children of Satan….not children of God. There is a point for all of us where God endures our wrong-doing while we are yet babes in Christ. But there is a point, too, as with the gay men of Sodom, where the Spirit of God no longer strives with the man who has rejected Righteousness, Purity, Life……because he prefers the pleasures of sin.
May we all reject sin in our own lives so we may be the Body of Christ whose arms and hand reach out in servitude and compassion to all men…the lovely and the unlovely….on behalf of the loving Father.
My heart is sad for the little ones who are the children of same-sex parents and who will likely never know the purity and beauty of God’s procreative plan for man. They are likely to only know Satan’s replica which is purposed to destroy. Those who offend a child in this way are accountable to God.
Mt 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
When God expreses something as wrong it’s for one or more reasons. God doesn’t take sides of people from different lifestyles. God sides with love, and goodness, and other similiar attributes.
God’s ways far exceed our ways in insight, as we know God knows all things–futures, past, and present.
Your post addresses an important issue in our lives.
Mary
Arthur Pink, in his book on the attributes of God, refers to the wrath of God as an attribute (of the same magnitude as as the love of God). Thanks for this timely article. I’m curious as to where the information came from on the meaning of the sin of the Nicolatians.
Good point concerning the attributes of God. I agree His justice is equal His Love. I like that.
Concerning ‘Nicolaitane Doctrine’…..many months ago, God spoke to my heart to learn more about the doctrine not loved by God. I knew, of course, the doctrine was, indeed, a doctrine of devils…so to speak. It would have to be a doctrine which opposed Truth found in the Word of God. Truth demands Holiness…Righteousness…Godliness….and so forth. So..I already knew this doctrine of the Nicolaitanes was one planted by Satan to replicate Truth…but which, in fact, was intended to deceive and lead believers to destruction. I went on line and clicked ‘Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes.’ There is much there…all of course subjective opinions…not much actual…factual…proven historic ‘fact.’ After reading and reading and reading and reading…the ‘proof was in the pudding’ …so to speak. The Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes seemed by majority concensus to be any doctrine which waters down the Gospel of Truth and puts in its place the doctrines of men…tradition…approval to continue serving the flesh…to continue sinning under the ‘cover’ of Grace.
Next, I took into account mentions such as the following found under ‘The Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes” :
‘Their doctrines and lives were equally corrupt. They allowed the most abominable lewdness, (behaving in obscene manner) and adulteries, as well as sacrificing to idols. John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament on Revelation 2:6″
“Nicolaitanes taught and practiced ‘ritualism without spirituality, knowledge without practice. Justification by faith without holiness.; Dr. Angus, Bible Handbook.
And…the Bible itself seems to back up that the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes prescribed salvation through Grace…without changing ones sinful practices. (Jude 1:4, warns of ungodly men who were ‘changing the grace of our God into lasciviousness.’…which, of course, is immorality.
Luke 6:46 Why call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say,?’
Nicolaitane belief dismisses need for keeping the commandments of God. ‘We are not under law but under Grace.’
Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ro 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
1jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Mt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mt 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments
Lu 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
1co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments
Well, as you can see…there was no brief answer concerning the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes.
As I said, after reading and reading and reading and considering and considering and considering
..I let scripture speak to my heart. It told me the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes is the tradition of watering down the Truth of God. It is the practice by professing Christians of forming their own Lord, Lord gospel without keeping the Word of God as the guide. It is what we see today in most churches, ‘a form of godliness..but denying the power.’ It is a clery-led laity rather than a Christ-led laity. It is taking the word of the pastor over the Word of Truth…and, well, you get it.
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes is in essence…the doctrine of devils put in place to replicate the Gospel of Christ. Those who practice it are ‘hearers’ of the Word and not ‘doers’ of the Word. My..oh…my..oh..my. And God is allowing the Light in the world to become dimmer and dimmer. It’s time to trim our lamps and hope to the end for the Grace He will bring with Him at His return!!!
Whew!!!
Carolyn
Thanks for such an exhaustive reply! And I must say, a much better analysis than I have gotten from most resources I have used.
I think what has happened is that, even in our evangelical churches, we have become so accustomed to sin. We are taught the truth that “all have sinned” and the truth that we live in corruptible bodies that are prone to sinful behaviors until we “put on incorruption”; therefore, we surrender to tolerating our sins rather than concentrating on the “putting to death the misdeeds of the body” (Ro. 8), and, of course as you point out, a lack of teaching on the justice (wrath) of God.
A couple of poems that speak to this issue–i.e., the “Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,” are here: http://biblepoetry.wordpress.com/you%E2%80%99re-only-a-man-or-woman/
and here: http://biblepoetry.wordpress.com/the-death-of-%E2%80%98it%E2%80%99/
Thanks again for your blog. I always find your articles thought provoking.
Until He comes, JD
JD…WELL SAID! Very good description of our tolerance for sin…” We are taught the truth that “all have sinned” and the truth that we live in corruptible bodies that are prone to sinful behaviors until we “put on incorruption”; therefore, we surrender to tolerating our sins rather than concentrating on the “putting to death the misdeeds of the body” (Ro. 8),
About to read the poems.
Carolyn
Isn’t it that we sin in order to know the essence of following Christ?
Midnight Sode, thanks for visiting. I am DELIGHTED with the comment which shows you understand the purpose and revelation power of OPPOSITES. For a long while, the Holy Spirit has been illuminating many truths using the incredible ability of each thing, truth, concept…to reveal itself by contrasting against its OPPOSITE. It is in that realm of Light/Darkness, Life/Death, Righteousness/Sin…and so forth that your question is answered. Since the subject is so complex..I’m preparing a New Post to discuss ‘Is Sin the Essence of Following Christ?’ But until I have time to answer the question with scripture, my immediate answer is ‘No. Sin is not the essence of following Christ. To FOLLOW Christ is to be LED by the Holy Spirit which is Himself…part of the Godhead…and Perfectly Holy. To FOLLOW Christ is to become the Temple of God wherein the Holy Comfort dwells and works His regeneration unto Holiness…for those who ‘take up the cross and FOLLOW.’ Christ redemptive act was for ‘sins that are past’ (Ro 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;).
That ‘propitiation’ to redeem from past sin (Eden) is the fulness of JUSTIFICATION. But justification must be followed by Sanctification ….becoming fully grown to the point of truly FOLLOWING Christ. (1th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 1th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 1th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
The GOSPEL of Christ is POWER, REGENERATION, RIGHTEOUSNES, HOLINESS, SERVING GOD RATHER THAN THE FLESH..AND SO FORTH. If God’s POWER cannot keep us from the abominations of sin…we are hopeless!! (Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek )
As I said, salvation is a complex subject. One I want to discuss, if the Holy Spirit will help me to do so…with the use of God’s law of opposites…so to speak.
I am more than glad to hear a wonderful reply. I will be looking forward to more of your posts. I’m posted.