The Undiscerning

We Christians go to church and believe in Jesus so therefore we should be a shoo-in for getting into heaven, right? Today we will read a verse that may cause us to reconsider what we say and do. It might also challenge our very belief system. Are you ready?

The Apostle Paul laid out a very clear path that members of the church in Rome could take to salvation (ie. The Romans Road).

In the last part of Romans 1, Paul lists a bunch of sins that are detestable to God. But then, in the very last verse, Paul offers up something else for us to consider.

"Though they (Roman church members) know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." - Romans 1:32

Paul is writing to a church! Some people in the church in Rome were approving of the sinful acts that a portion of its members were committing!

Romans 1, Galatians 5, and Leviticus 18 clearly state that same sex sin is abomination to The Lord. Remember, these are people IN the church that Paul is writing about. For example, based on Romans 1:32, a lesbian pastor or bishop would REALLY be on God's naughty list. Instead of prayer meetings, are we holding gossip sessions?

The text also makes it sound like any church members who allow these things to go on in their churches also face the same wrath.

And what happens to an entire denomination under church leadership that practices or condones these things? This seems like a rather big deal. Will millions of members in these churches face God's wrath instead of heaven by approving / allowing sin? It kind of sounds like it.

There is a word that we Christians need to become very familiar with - "discerning." We must discern ALL things that come into our eyes, ears, heart, and mind. The undiscerning face an eternity FAR different than what they are expecting.

We need to be filtering everything we take into our Spirit-filled bodies through the Word of God. If it doesn't line up with scripture, discard it. Paul is a New Testament teacher. Wake up church!

When Jesus spoke to the woman caught in adultery, what did he tell her to do? "Go and sin no more." - John 8:11

We must first examine ourselves and then come alongside those we see living contrary to what the Bible says, and then lovingly point out these things. God wishes that none would perish.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9