It does not take much for my mind to engage in a bit of lateral thinking, and for me to see biblical applications everywhere. I could get a full time job just offering the busy pastor helpful and up-to-date sermon illustrations! Every day the connections easily come to me.
Let me give you an example from just today. This morning I was reading in Galatians, and I again noted a “sin list” which is found so often in the New Testament. Found in Galatians 5:19-21, it is a typical list of sinful behaviours which the believer should flee from:
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Here are some other such lists:
Mark 7:21-22
Romans 1:24-31
Rom 13:13
1 Cor 5:10-11
1 Cor 6:9-10
2 Cor 12:20
Eph 4:19, 31
Eph 5:3-5
Col 3:5-9
1 Tim 1:9-10
1 Tim 6:3-5
2 Tim 3:1-5
Tit 3:3
Rev 21:8
Note here that Paul says those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Yet far too many duped believers today will tell you that it does not matter what you do or don’t do – it is all about relationship. To be worried about dos and don’ts we are told is legalism, and we should just focus on loving God.
But of course as Jesus made perfectly clear, we cannot claim to love God if we do not obey him. Consider just a few passages from the gospel of John in this regard:
John 14:15 If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
So what is the connection here I was speaking about? Just moments after reading Galatians 5, I read about a so-called Christian Swingers website. Yes you heard me right. It is possible it is all just a joke (who could actually be this dumb or this deceived after all), yet it appears to be the real deal.
You can check it out yourself (but don’t you dare join up): http://www.christianswingers.com/
It says this on its homepage: “Christian Swingers – New Dating Site For Faithful Couples
“For Christian Swingers things are not easy – often other religious people judge you, out of ignorance or envy, telling you that your lifestyle and love practices are wrong. But the Bible teaches us ‘Judge not lest ye be judged’ and there’s that verse about the first stone… but if you’re keen on keeping your privacy, well – yours, and don’t want your friends, coworkers, other PTA members or just about anyone else to know that you don’t have a problem with faith and enjoying free love with other couples, this site can help you! It’s designed to cater to the needs of those like you: devout Christian couples who still want to have an active love life and share it with another, in good faith!
“Skip the swingers’ club and meetings where you can be seen and avoid bad reputation – your personal life is something shared between you and our partner; other couples willing to join you are probably having the same problems. Visiting this site might change your life for the better and increase the number of your potential dating partners – a few simple steps in the registration process will open up a whole new virtual world of possibilities! Since privacy is an issue here, you can still choose to remain anonymous until you decide to trust someone enough to share such personal information – something that’s not possible in classic swingers’ meetings and clubs, which might even lean towards openness and promotion is this lifestyle. Visit our club and discover other Christian couples with the same interests and desires who find you hot – Christian Swingers website will make your life easier and give you more access to potential dating partners!
“All members and/or models displayed on this website were 18 years or older at the time the image was submitted to this web property in accordance with federal laws. Further, all members of this dating site MUST be 18 years or older.”
As I say, it almost seems to be just one big send-up. But tragically it appears to be legit. And if so, then these clowns are simply lying and lusting their way into hell. The above sin lists make it perfectly clear that behaviour does matter, and those who engage in known sin, and refuse to repent of it, are heading straight for the pit of hell.
We have so watered down the gospel and so bought into cheap grace and fake Christianity that people can actually get away with this kind of stuff with a straight face. They are so consumed in their lusts and their sin-soaked lives that they have been utterly deceived by Satan. And unless they repent big time they are headed for a lost eternity.
We can do two things here: repent ourselves that the church has been allowed to sink this low, and pray for those conned souls who actually think they can get away with this.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/new-christian-swingers-dating-site-offers-faithful-couples-chance-to-hookup-102844/
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