Readers Forum

That "J" Word! The one that offends!

Culture in the United States of America is moving farther and farther away from the uncompromising standards and moral ethics of the Bible. It's quite amazing-whatever you feel, whatever you think, if it works for you, it's okay. Everything is okay. There hardly seems to be any such thing as "right" and "wrong" any more. There's a free floating feel, an all-inclusive state of mind; we are all supposed to float around in our own bubble, of our own making. We are not supposed-oh horrors! - To be offended at anyone or anything!

Once upon a time-now how long ago was it? - Divorce among Christians was frowned upon, except in extreme cases, we thought that the Bible taught against it; that marriage was for life. If a partner left, or if adultery was involved, we were taught that divorce in these cases was permitted. Anything else? Umm…actually, no. "God hates divorce," the Bible said. Today, however, the divorce rate for evangelical Christians is nearly a match with the divorce rate among unbelievers.

And then there's the homosexual agenda, which, if you think about it, ought to fill us with amazement. At one time this was one of the "unmentionables." You just didn't talk about it, much less boast about it. Any such inclination was considered a matter for prayer, a deepening walk with god, and last but not least, deliverance.

Today I've heard that there is at least one homosexual "Christian" church. We are supposed to welcome them into our churches-certainly all sinners are welcome!

There is an appalling lack of teaching in many evangelical churches-not all, but some. The Lord spelled out the truth in the apostle Paul's epistles (Rom. 1:26-32). Now that's pretty plain. Lest we miss God's viewpoint, He also wrote in the old testament that the judgement for this sin was "death". Harsh, huh? This is what the God of Israel demanded.

Maybe we don't like the "j" word-judgment. You might be surprised to know that the Bible does-it is mentioned well over 400 times. This does not count the word "judge" or other related words.

"He shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness." (Psa. 9:8)

"The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth;" (Psa. 9:16)

"For I the LORD love judgment" (Isa. 61:8)

These are just a few of many. The Bible is not adverse to this word; maybe we should line up and readjust our ideas! Receive the fear of the Lord! Prov. 1:7; Lu. 1:50; Psa. 31:19; 1 Pet. 1:17.

Gloria M. Vittner,
Middleburg Heights

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