Let's Shake the Gates of Hell!

Or do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanders nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NIV

The woman who cuts my hair is a Christian.  Recently twenty-three year old Beth (not her real name) moved in with Bill, her boyfriend of 8 months. Because Bill gave her a promise ring Beth decided it was OK for them to live in sin.  Beth's mom is also a Christian.  When Mom found out the couple was planning to live together her main concern was that Beth might become pregnant.  Beth's two sisters have children out of wedlock and this understandably distresses Mom.  However, her Christian daughter living in sin apparently does not trouble her.

Bill claims he's a Christian.  Bill and Beth don't go to church together because he has a hang up about church that he doesn't like to talk about.  Beth doesn't want to probe too deeply so she attends church with her mother.  I asked what would happen if he doesn't get over his hang up.  She replied, "He'd better!"  I also asked what her pastor would say if he knew she was living with a man without the benefit of marriage.  She looked surprised and said with conviction, "Nothing!"  Nothing?  I pressed on.  "He doesn't have a problem with people living in sin?"  I could tell by her expression that a pastor getting involved in someone's personal life was a new concept for Beth.  "If he doesn't like it I'll change churches," she stated matter-of-factly.  In other words, Beth would shop around for a liberal pastor who accepts behavior that is explicitly forbidden in Scripture. I decided to pass on the Apostle Paul's instructions to church leaders on how to handle believers that indulge in fornication.   They must be counseled to abstain from fornication forthwith, repent of their sin, and separate. If a couple refuses to do any of the above, pastors are to exercise church discipline.  Simply put, they are to expel the immoral brother and sister. Beth was shocked, but not speechless.  She claimed she had never heard of a church doing something so "ridiculous." I assured her it was done all the time.  Not in her church though.  "There are other couples living together that go to my church," she huffed.  "My pastor knows about them and they haven't been asked to leave." 

It seems Beth has already found a liberal pastor who has taken a stand against God in support of sin and tolerance.  Since I had made my point I decided to leave it at that and pray for the

                 
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