Monday, July 29, 2013

How Do We Understand the Pope's Statement Regarding a Homosexual Priest?

The Pope made a very non-offensive statement about people involved in homosexual behavior.  The Pope was quoted as saying: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" the pope said at an 80-minute news conference with reporters on his plane as he returned from his recent trip to Brazil.
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/pope-francis-will-not-judge-priests-for-sexual-orientation-reaffirms-catholic-stance-on-homosexuality-women-abortion-and-sin-101064/#js2ar3IviTYL0gyU.99 


The epistle of 1st John tells us what a Christian is, what they look like.  But most Christians aren't aware of it because they no longer read Yahweh's word.  Biblical teaching is in serious shortage around the U.S.S. of A. 

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;  (1 Jn. 1:5,6)  

According to John, the beloved disciple, if a person claims to be in Christ, to walk with Him, yet continues to walk (live) in sinful behavior, he is a liar, and not practicing, or living out the truth.

In chapter 2, the apostle John explains: By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

Jesus said, "The one who loves Me will keep my commands."  The Bible clearly defines homosexuality as sinful behavior, much as heterosexual adultery.  It is the words of the holy God, Maker of all, that condemns this priest that the Pope will not condemn.  So, as the Bible spells out, one who is living in a active, unrepentant sinful lifestyle is NOT in Christ.  They ARE NOT Christian.  They are clearly on their way to hell, purgatory excluded.  

There is a big misunderstanding of Christians and the issue of judging, of which the Pope is not helping to clear up, but adding to the confusion!  Paul instructs of the issue, by the Holy Spirit:
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?  (1 Cor. 5:12).
Christians are not to judge those outside the church.  God deals with that.  But Christians are to judge those within the Church, those who claim the name of Christ.  And if this priest is claiming liberty in Christ to live what the Bible calls immorality, he is a False Prophet.  Bold claims, but it's the word of God, not a homophobic cry of distress:  

If the Priest is a practicing homosexual, he is not a Christian, or he would repent.  "The one who is in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."  (1 John 3:3).  If he is not born again, not of Christ, he should not be claiming the name of Christ; but this was going on in the Catholic church when Christians grew tired of the hypocrisy, lies and immorality going on in the Catholic Church, and Protestant Reformation began.  

When I speak of Christianity and Catholicism, I try to do so carefully.  I DO NOT think they are the same thing.  I think the Catholic church is the mother of Harlots spoken of in Revelation, and in line with many Catholic priests and theologians, I think the current Pope will turn out to be the False Prophet, the right hand man of the one-world leader, the Psuedo-Christ.

The Bible tells us that we are "saved by grace, through faith, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast"  (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Galatians 1:8 tells us: But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  The "gospel" of the Catholic church has become something through the years, contrary to what the word of God teaches!

This Priest, and the Pope, seem to sound more like the World (1 John 4:5).  Of the World, the apostle Paul says:
10 as it is written, (that is, in the Tanakh)
There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”  (Rom. 3)

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