96. CORPORATE, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON (gg): Pursuing Christlike holiness (20b)

(continuation of Meditation 95)

God’s solution to quarreling and strife in New Testament churches

In Meditation 95 we saw how churches can obstruct the work of God’s Spirit in their midst by the deep-seated problem of quarrelling and strife. The sad result is often partiality, divisions and church splits. Such a church has fallen prey to Satan’s scheming as the apostle Peter warns: “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8*)

What is God’s remedy for a church that is in danger of losing its way in quarrels and strife?

Should we call upon the members of that a church to simply stop quarrelling and behave better? Should we give them some guidelines for better communication? Or what?

I think that some insight into group dynamics, some teaching of communication skills and problem solving might benefit that church for a while, yet would this really solve the problem?

God teaches us in His Word [the Bible] that the root of this problem is hidden in our heart. Through the mouth of His prophet Jeremiah (7^th century B.C.) God indicates that “the human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9*)

Jesus Himself makes us aware of the fact that “from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts ... greed, wickedness, deceit ... envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.” (Mark 7:21-23*)

The apostle Paul shows us that “the acts of the sinful nature are obvious: ... hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy ... and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21**)

It is because of the profound ‘sickness and rebellion of the human heart’ that any behavioural training would not really solve the problem.

The apostle Paul recognised this root cause of his defeat the more he attempted to overcome sinful behaviour. This former Jewish rabbi who aimed at perfect living according to the Mosaic Law, describes his downfall in an honest and shocking way in his letter to the church in Rome:

“I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to, but I can't. When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. But if I am doing what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it.

It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's (Mosaic) Law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?” (Romans 7:18-24*)

Actually, here we are at the heart of the Good News of Jesus. Not only did He come to take the blame and punishment for our sin, but He also grants to everyone who remorsefully comes to Him and receives Him as Saviour and Lord ‘a new heart’ through the gift of His Spirit.

That is exactly what God had already promised in the 6^th century B.C. through His prophet Ezekiel: “I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27*)

Church members who have been born again have received God’s Spirit as the authentication of their new life in Christ. The apostle Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesus: “You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.” ( Ephesians 1:13-14**)

So, when the apostles address the problem of quarrelling and strife amongst church members, they write to those who have received God’s own Spirit at their conversion! As God’s Spirit has Jesus’ character, He is well able to transform every church member and every church into the likeness of Christ!

What does the likeness of Christ mean in practice?     

Jesus discloses in the Gospel of Matthew ‘his heart of hearts’ when He says: “... I am gentle and humble in heart...” (Matthew 11:29**)

Consequently, wherever God’s Spirit works in people’s hearts, the humility of Christ will come to the fore! That’s why we read a lot about humility in the New Testament. Here are some examples:

The apostle Paul testifies about having the humility of Christ when he speaks to the Ephesian elders: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility...” (Acts 20:18-19**) 

He appeals to the church in Ephesus (modern Turkey) to invest in Christlike humility: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3**)

Paul encourages the church in Philippi (Greece) to live a Christlike life: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...” (Philippians 2:1-5**)

The apostle reminds the church in Colossae (modern Turkey) that through the gift of God’s Spirit, Jesus Christ is their real life. Therefore he urges them to “put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds...” (Colossians 3:5-9*)

Now that God’s Spirit lives in them, their new Christlike life should become more and more visible: “... you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. ... Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:10-15*)

The apostle Paul instructs his co-worker Titus about what he must teach the churches regarding their new life directed by God’s Spirit: “Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.

But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.” (Titus 3:1-6*)

The apostle James mentions the need for Christlike humility in the churches: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:13-18**)

The apostle Peter encourages the churches to live a Christlike life, empowered by God’s Spirit. He writes: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:5**)

Furthermore, Peter writes: “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9**)

What then is true, Christlike humility?

The apostle Paul explains that in talking about Jesus’ humility. He writes to the Christians in Philippi: “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8*)

The apostle Peter writes to Christians who are persecuted and shows them how Christ humbled Himself: “... if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:20-25**)

Jesus shows us how true humility manifests itself: “Jesus called them [His twelve disciples] together and said, ‘You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them.

But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45*)

In all these examples we see that Christlike humility has everything to do with:

-- loving others; being gentle and tender-hearted, considerate and compassionate; being merciful and patient; being impartial and repaying evil and insult with blessing. (Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:10-15; Titus 3:1-6; James 3:13-18; 1 Peter 3:8-9; 1 Peter 5:5)

-- not clinging to your rights, but lovingly serving others in the way Christ served. (Mark 10:42-45; (Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Peter 5:5)

-- considering others better than yourself. (Philippians 2:1-5)

-- making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

-- being willing to suffer for doing good, like Christ, in obedience to God. (1 Peter 2:20-25)

In all these examples we see that quarreling and strife can be overcome in a church by the transforming power of God’s Christlike Spirit. As He has planted ‘the heart of Christ’ in every reborn child of God, prevailing over quarreling and strife by Christlike love and humility becomes a real possibility! 

Here are some questions for reflection:

-- Does my church obstruct the work of God’s Spirit by quarreling and strife? Is my church plagued by fractions, divisions or is it even in danger of a church split?

-- If quarrelling and strife are a problem in your church, are your church leaders looking for a godly remedy or trying to find help in humanistic solutions?

-- Is my church aware of the fact that only by remorseful repentance and confession to God and each other can divine remedy take place? How does God’s Spirit lead my church through the process of repentance and renewal?

-- Does true, Christlike humility rule my church? How does it manifest itself in your midst?

  

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

95. CORPORATE, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON (ff) : Pursuing Christlike holiness (20a)

Quarreling and strife in the New Testament churches

In Meditation 76 we looked at God’s vision for Christ’s church. We saw that God intends the church to be “the salt of the earth”, “the light of the world”, a pure, blameless, holy and Christlike community on pilgrimage towards the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

In Meditation 77 we saw that only God’s Spirit is able to transform and empower Christ’s church to such a Christlike community.

In Meditation 63 we asked ourselves the question: How does God’s Spirit change my church, as the local Body of Christ, into a mature, loving community that fulfils God’s first and greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”?(Matthew 22:37)
I think that the chief means God’s Spirit uses to transform my church into a pure, blameless, holy and Christlike community are twofold:

a.) His mighty power and marvelous love:

-- The apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. ... The church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence.” (Ephesians 1:19-20 and 23)

-- Furthermore, Paul writes: “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)

b.) The truth of God’s Word [the Bible]:

-- Jesus prayed for His followers on the eve of His sacrificial death: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

-- The apostle Paul reminded the church in Ephesus: “... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-26)

-- Again, Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica (Greece): “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

-- The apostle James urged to the followers of Jesus: “Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21)

-- The apostle Peter encouraged the churches in the Roman provinces of modern-day Turkey, saying: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22)

Therefore, any belief, attitude or activity of my church and its members that contradicts God’s Word, hinders the Holy Spirit to do His powerful work in our community. Since Meditation 78 we have seen how churches might frustrate the sanctifying work of God’s Spirit.

Today we want to look into another way in which churches might obstruct the work of God’s Spirit in their midst. It is the often deep-seated problem of quarrelling and strife.

The apostle Paul urges the church in Corinth: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-11)
   
Furthermore, the apostle laments: “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)   

In these texts to the church in Corinth, Paul shows that if a church is inwardly racked by quarrelling and strife, it demonstrates that the process of Christlike transformation has hardly begun!

In addition Paul abhors the fact that church members take each other to court. He writes: “When you have something against another Christian, why do you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter, instead of taking it to other Christians to decide who is right? Don't you know that someday we Christians are going to judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can't you decide these little things among yourselves? Don't you realize that we Christians will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disagreements here on earth.
If you have legal disputes about such matters, why do you go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments? But instead, one Christian sues another-- right in front of unbelievers! To have such lawsuits at all is a real defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? But instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your own Christian brothers and sisters.” (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)

In preparation of a third visit to the church in Corinth, Paul writes these severe words to them: “I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won't like what I find, and then you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior.” (2 Corinthians 12:20)

Over the years the apostle Paul had much trouble with this unholy, unruly and rebellious church in the port town of Corinth. Therefore, it is amazing that this servant of Christ with a true pastoral heart starts his first letter to this church with the words: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way -- in all your speaking and in all your knowledge -- because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

What a wonderful message! The apostle shows the Corinthian church that, because of God’s Spirit,  His powerful love and amazing grace are so abundantly present in any church, that whatever the spiritual poverty of a church is, there is always hope for transformation! It ‘only’ needs humble acknowledgement of its destitute state and a desire for God’s forgiveness and renewal.    

In Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia (region in modern Turkey), he reminded them of their freedom in Christ. These churches bickered with each other about the function of the Mosaic Law in the Christian life: “You have been called to live in freedom-- not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole (Mosaic) Law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” (Galatians 5:13-15)

Paul continued to warn these Galatian churches “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: ... hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group ... envy ... and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

The apostle James challenges the churches to follow the example of Jesus: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:13-18)

James continues to point to the root of the problem in these churches: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole army of evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can't possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong-- you want only what will give you pleasure.” (James 4:1-3)

Also the apostle John makes it perfectly clear in his first letter, that if Christlike love does not rule a church, such a church has desperately lost its way in spite of its Bible-based preaching and dynamic programmes.

What John writes here to individuals, does also apply to church communities. In 1 John 2:9-11 he warns: “If anyone says, "I am living in the light," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves other Christians is living in the light and does not cause anyone to stumble. Anyone who hates a Christian brother or sister is living and walking in darkness. Such a person is lost, having been blinded by the darkness.”

Further on in 1 John 3:11-15 he reminds his readers: “This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was right. So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don't have eternal life within them.”

We know that God’s Spirit desires to start or continue the Christlike transformation process in any local church. That’s why God wants the church leaders and members to be vigilant and firm with all those who call themselves Christians but obstruct this transformation process by their quarrelsome  attitude. (see also Meditation 88)

Therefore, the apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome: “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things that are contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.” (Romans 16:17)     

In the next meditation we want to see what God’s remedy is for a church that is in danger to lose its way in quarrels and strive.


Matthew 22:37, John 17:17, Ephesians 5:25-26, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, James 1:21, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Corinthians 1:10-11, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, James 3:13-18 are quotes from the New International Version. All other quotes are from the New Living Translation.

94. CORPORATE, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON (ee) : Pursuing Christlike holiness (19)

“Porneia” and same sex issues in the Corinthian church

In Meditation 92, we wrote that in the Greco-Roman society in which the New Testament churches lived, most expressions of sexual activity (specially for men) were completely acceptable. Only sex with someone else’s wife was forbidden. Civil marriage was protected by law and custom.

The dominant view in the Greco-Roman world was that hetero- and homosexual intercourse were activities of the body and had nothing to do with one’s spiritual life. Having sex in whatever way one wanted was perfectly normal and natural, like having a meal.

This pagan view on sexuality is very different from God’s creation order which He revealed to us in His Word [the Bible].

In Genesis 1:26 we read that our Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) said: “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness... And in verse 27 we read: “ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Based on this creation order in which heterosexual marriage is the norm, we want to see what God says with regard to same sex issues in the Mosaic Covenant and in the New or Messianic Covenant.

a) The Sinai or Mosaic Covenant on same sex issues

At Mount Sinai, after God rescued His people Israel from bondage in Egypt, God made the Mosaic or Sinai Covenant with His people and God said: “If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

As part of the Sinai covenant, God gave His people these commandments regarding homosexual behaviour:

-- “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22). The New Living Translation reads here: “Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin.”

-- “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” (Leviticus 20:13). The New Living Translation reads here: “The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have committed a detestable act and are guilty of a capital offense.”

In the light of these commandments, we read in Deuteronomy 22:5 "A woman must not wear men's clothing, and a man must not wear women's clothing. The LORD your God detests people who do this.” Of course, this command would not forbid women to walk in Levi jeans, but it forbids men to dress like women and live as travestites.

With two specific laws regarding hetero- and homosexual temple prostitution, God warns His people not to copy the fertility rites of the surrounding pagan nations:

-- “No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine-prostitute.” (Deuteronomy 23:17). The New Living Translation reads here: “No Israelite man or woman may ever become a temple prostitute.”

-- “You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both.” (Deuteronomy 23:18). The New Living Translation reads here: Do not bring to the house of the LORD your God any offering from the earnings of a prostitute, whether a man or a woman, for both are detestable to the LORD your God.”    

Why did God give His people such rigorous laws at Mount Sinai? In Meditation 87, I mentioned two main reasons. I will repeat them here:

a.) The apostle Paul says about God’s Mosaic Law: “The Law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ [the Messiah] came...” (Galatians 3:24)

In other words, the Law prepared us for Christ’s coming. The Law kept us on track towards Christ’s future.

Paul explains to the Christians in Rome: “No one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his Law commands. For the more we know God's Law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it” (Romans 3:20) or as the New International Version translates:“... through the Law we become conscious of sin.” It is through the Law that we come to understand what ‘sin’ is in God’s eyes. And it is also through the Law that we become aware of the need for the sin offering of God’s Son at the cross of Calvary to receive forgiveness and reconcile us with God the Father.

b.) As God used His Law as both guardian and teacher to lead His people until the Messiah would come, He also used it to separate His people from the lifestyle and customs of the nations around them.

We read in Exodus 19:3-6: “Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called out to him from the mountain and said, 'Give these instructions to the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' Give this message to the Israelites.'”

Furthermore, God says in Leviticus 20:22-26: “You must carefully obey all my laws and regulations; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you will vomit you out. Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is because they do these terrible things that I detest them so much. ... I, the LORD, am your God, who has set you apart from all other people. ... You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.”

b) The New or Messianic Covenant about same sex issues

Based on His earlier-mentioned creation order (see Genesis 1:26-27), God makes it clear in the entire Bible that He only sanctions sexual intercourse within the context of heterosexual marriage. The Greek New Testament uses even one word, “porneia”, to define all (forbidden) extra-marital sexual activity, be it of hetero- or homosexual nature. Here follow some examples of the use of this term:

-- “porneia” as marital unfaithfulness:

In His teaching on divorce, Jesus uses the word “porneia” for marital unfaithfulness: “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness (“porneia”), and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9. See also Matthew 5:32) (See also Meditation 91).

-- “porneia” as an extreme form of fornication:

The apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth about an extreme form of sexual immorality: “I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality (“porneia”) going on among you, something so evil that even the pagans don't do it. I am told that you have a man in your church who is living in sin with his father's wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1) (See also Meditations 87 and 88).

-- “porneia” as a definition for any kind of sexual sin:

With an allusion to the Greek view that having sex is like having a meal, Paul uses the word “porneia” when he denounces any kind of hetero- or homosexual activity outside marriage: “You say, ‘Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food.’ This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them. But our bodies were not made for sexual immorality (“porneia”). They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. ... Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 6:13 and 15a)

By mouth of His servant Paul, God’s Spirit teaches the church in Ephesus to stay away from any kind of sexual sin (“porneia”): “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more. For you remember what we taught you in the name of the Lord Jesus. God wants you to be holy, so you keep clear of all sexual sin (“porneia”). Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor -- not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and his ways. Never cheat a Christian brother in this matter by taking his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

The apostle Paul explains to the Christians in Corinth and to us that it is none of our business to judge the lifestyle of people outside the church: “It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders ... God will judge those on the outside...” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

God wants that Jesus’ followers show to the world around what a Christlike lifestyle is. Therefore, Paul writes to the church in Philippi: “Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless.” (Philippians 2:12-16)

Nowhere in the New Testament is same sex activity set apart as a specially wicked sin. It is included in the definition of “porneia” and in Paul’s letters it is summed up together with many other sins. Here are two examples:

-- “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 (Greek: malakois = effeminate men, probably men who play the role of the female in same sex acts) nor homosexual offenders (Greek: arsenokoitai = those who lie with males as with females; probably men who play the role of the male in same sex acts) nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

-- “... We know these laws [from the Mosaic Covenant] are good when they are used as God intended. But they were not made for people who do what is right. They are for people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who murder their father or mother or other people. These laws are for people who are sexually immoral (Greek: pornois = men who prostitute their bodies to another's lust for hire, male prostitutes; universally, men who indulge in unlawful sexual intercourse, fornicators), for homosexuals (arsenokoitai, see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching.” (1 Timothy 1:8-10)

Based on God’s creation order for heterosexual marriage and Jesus’ application of it, the apostles warn the followers of Jesus to stay away from any kind of extra-marital sexual activity (“porneia”).

Jesus teaches that “from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality (Greek plural of “porneia”), theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God." (Mark 7:21-23)

The apostle Paul cautions the Corinthian church members: “Flee from sexual immorality (“porneia”). All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

Writing later again to the Corinthian church, Paul laments: “I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin (“porneia”) and debauchery in which they have indulged.” (2 Corinthians 12:21)

Paul teaches the church in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him. Let there be no sexual immorality (“porneia”), impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-- these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral (Greek: singular of “pornois”, see earlier 1 Timothy 1:8-10 ), impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world.” (Ephesians 5:2-5)

The apostle spurs the church in Colossae on: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality (“porneia”), impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:5-6)

In the decadent Greco-Roman world of the first century, God’s ambassadors (the apostles) had great problems to keep the churches free from the invasive culture of hetero- and homosexual immorality. They spurred the churches on to break out of it and pursue Christlike holiness, allowing God’s Spirit to transform them individually and collectively into the likeness of Christ. God’s people should follow their high calling. They should be a counter-cultural demonstration to the world of God’s transforming power and prepare themselves for the awaiting wedding feast of the Lamb!

Therefore, Paul urges the Corinthian church to stay away from blatantly and unrepentantly immoral people who call themselves Christians: “When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin (“pornois”, see earlier 1 Timothy 1:8-10).

But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin (literally in the Greek text: “pornois of the world”), or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

What I meant was that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin (literally in the Greek text: “who is a pornos”) , or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don't even eat with such people.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)

 

In the same letter Paul warns the proud Corinthian Christians: “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

As we said earlier, from all these biblical texts and many more it is clear that from God’s point of view there is no place for any kind of sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage. The creation order for marriage, revealed in Genesis 1:26 and 27 is God’s grand design for marital love and procreation to safeguard the human race.    

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What might God want to say to me and my church through His dealings with the New Testament churches? May these questions for reflection encourage you to reflect on many other aspects this immense and delicate subject:

-- Is there any comparison between the place of God’s new covenant people in modern Western society and the place they had in the Greco-Roman society of the first century?

Ø Since the sexual revolution of the 1960s, we see that the Western world is consciously rejecting the moral teaching of God’s Word. Wikipedia writes the following about this revolution:

“The sexual revolution (also known as a time of "sexual liberation") was a social movement that challenged traditional codes of behavior related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships throughout the Western world from the 1960s to the 1980s. Sexual liberation included increased acceptance of sex outside of traditional heterosexual, monogamous relationships (primarily marriage). Contraception and the pill, public nudity, the normalization of premarital sex, homosexuality and alternative forms of sexuality, and the legalization of abortion all followed.

... The sexual revolution can be seen as an outgrowth of a process. ... It was a development in the modern world which saw the significant loss of power by the values of a morality rooted in the Christian tradition and the rise of permissive societies, of attitudes that were accepting of greater sexual freedom and experimentation that spread all over the world and were captured in the concept of “free love”. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_revolution)

-- Is my church a minor reflection of this anti-Christian unravelling of God’s sexual ethic in modern Western society? Or does my church, as part of “a true counter-cultural messianic movement” faithfully follow the directions of God’s Spirit and His Word?    

Let us reflect for a moment on some phenomena, resulting from this earlier mentioned sexual revolution and how our churches respond to them:

Ø Concerning the devaluation of the institution of marriage and the growing acceptance of ‘committed sexual relations outside marriage’ and ‘sex before marriage’:

-- It seems that more and more churches in the West fall prey to this phenomenon amongst young people, ‘mid-lifers’ and even pensioners.

-- How is my church scoring in this matter? If my church, based on God’s Word, disagrees with these modern unions outside marriage, how does it cope with church members and visitors who are in favour of it or even practise it?

Ø We have already spoken in Meditations 91 and 92 about the fast growing trend in Western societies of adultery, divorce and remarriage, also in Christian circles.

Ø The positive valuation of a same sex lifestyle is like a wildfire that rapidly spreads throughout the Western world and even within churches. The Western culture of tolerance forbids us to disagree with this viewpoint. Those who dare to do so, are often unjustly ‘shot down’ straight away with accusations of bigotry, homophobia, hate speech, extremism and fundamentalism.

-- Does my church disagree, based on God’s Word, with this contemporary view on same-sex lifestyles? How would my church respond if it was singled out for accusations of bigotry, homophobia, hate speech or a lack of respect, tolerance and compassion for those of other persuasions? Does my church remain faithful to God and his Word in this gathering storm in the West?   

Ø In various countries in the Western world, same-sex marriages are now legally valid. In many countries the process of legalising same-sex marriages is in progress.

-- If my church wants to be faithful to God’s Word [the Bible] and serve God in a country where same-sex marriage is legal, how does it cope with this changing political reality? Is my church willing to suffer because of its faithfulness to God and His Word?

  

-- Does my church prepare its members for the political changes which are taking place? Why or why not? Does my church encourage its members to take a public stand against these changes in society? Why or why not?

-- Are members in my church losing their jobs because of their biblical point of view on same-sex attitudes and marriage (e.g., pastors, teachers, marriage counsellors, physicians, psychologists, foster parents, etc.)? If yes, does my church provide care and counselling for those members?        

-- What is my church’s outlook on people who live a same-sex way of life? Does my church indeed have a homophobic attitude? Does it criticise these people? Does my church respect them but disagree with their lifestyle? Would those people be warmly welcomed in my church if they were ‘seekers’? Would my church, based on God’s Word, stay away from blatantly and unrepentantly immoral people who call themselves Christians?

 

Ø  The apostle Paul reminds those Christians in Corinth who had indulged in all kinds of sexual sin (“porneia”), that “there was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

-- Do you think these people were truly and completely healed from their sexual sin after being saved by faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and reborn by God’s Spirit (Acts 2:38)? Or, do you think that after being saved and reborn, God’s Spirit had to teach them and empower them to control their sexual appetites? This is a theme we will struggle with in later meditations.

-- Does my church have teaching, counselling and care programmes to help those who want to break free from former sinful lifestyles and want to follow Jesus? Does my church have special care and counselling programmes for Christians with a hetero- or homosexual ‘make-up’ who have decided to follow Jesus and live a celibate lifestyle? 

  

Genesis 1:26 and 27, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Deuteronomy 23:17 and 18, Matthew 19:9, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 2 Corinthians 12:21, Colossians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:33 are quotes from the New International Version. All other quotes are from the New Living Translation.