Growing up Adventist, I was taught of the “special light” God has provided us. I was given a clear understanding of the importance of the Sabbath; the understanding of the 2300 days.
I was given a prophetic clarity that so many other denominations cannot explain or simply overlook. I learned about the the importance of the sanctuary and what is taking place in heaven prior to the second coming of Jesus. I am grateful for these profound studies of Biblical truths and their importance in these last days.
In the midst of all of these deep theological studies, I was suffocating under same-sex attraction. The church was dead silent on that topic. In fact, addressing “feelings” and whether they were from God or Satan and what to do about them, was nonexistent. To a large extent, the necessity of clarity on the topic of “homosexuality” and sexual sin, is still absent. For some it’s still too disgusting to discuss, and for others, it no longer holds any importance. Steeped in our own cherished sin, why should we limited by the desires of someone else? It is commonly stated among church members as well as preachers in the pulpit… “Let’s not judge one another.” But we fail to designate the importance of pointing to the One who does judge.
Are you hearing that certain sound that the trumpet is to make through the messages of acceptance and accommodation today? Is there a discerning voice in the sermons that call upon us to turn our eyes and look the other way as sinful practices are celebrated, rather than admonished and counseled to surrender and abide in Christ and claim the healing that is promised? I’m not. Everywhere I turn, I hear another voice advocating for unsubstantiated biblical claims that God winks at our sins. That He has suggested His ideals, but doesn’t hold us to them. What happened to the “special light” we have been given as Adventists? What truly makes us different from the rest of the Christian world?
Inside of one week, two red flags of accommodation were waved. A sermon calling for the accepting and accommodation of the LGBT community, promoting a life that opposes God’s directives to us, and an article calling for the ordination of a gay “Seventh-day Adventist” Chaplin. That which God warns of, is being celebrated. What is painfully sad is that both the preacher and the author of the article, made no mention of turning from sin, sin temptations, claiming victory in Jesus and accepting the gift of a pure and holy identity. It’s like they took His gift and threw it back at Him and said … “No… we want this identity more than the one you offer us.” Again, where’s evidence of our “special light?” How can we claim that we have a corner on truth, when we refuse to mentor fellow “believers?” My heart aches! I cry out to God and ask Him how this could be happening in His “special” church?
Huge congregations, students and universities are being taught to identify in your temptations. Well … I guess it’s limited to a select group. Those who experience same-sex attraction are being taught to identify as “gay.” It actually gets pretty difficult to determine the practicing or non-practicing aspect. Are we even concerned? Have we placed the same inestimable value on someone’s life, in the same way Jesus does? What’s peculiar, is that “homosexuality” is taken out of the whole list of sinful behaviors not admitted into heaven, as described in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 10, and given special treatment. Why? Because the current culture has elevated the discussion of the topic to one of political importance and “equality.”
Is this “quality” also being extended to practicing and non-practicing adulterers, pedophiles, idolaters, and others? What does this “equality” buy? Distinguished voices most often, can’t find it in their hearts to promote Biblical teachings regarding these temptations and sins, because they don’t make us “feel” good.
We are cheating a precious child of God from getting the good news they desperately need. Did God leave us without healing words and tools? I don’t think so. I think He designed the Word to be exactly how it’s laid out. Clear, definite, compassionate, redemptive and hopeful.
We’ve got to stop anchoring ourselves to sin and sinful temptations, and start anchoring ourselves in Jesus and His redemptive Word. Wake up! Stop immersing yourself in willful blindness and ignorance and go to the Word of God and claim what Jesus promises.
Stop being slothful, making excuses, digging your heels in with your “justified feelings,” and claim all that Jesus says is possible through Him. You were born in sin, Jesus pleads with you to be “born again.”
Love, hope and redemption must be clearly offered and demonstrated to gays and homosexuals. Prior to this postmodern day, we made it clear that God abhors the sinfulness of “homosexuality,” but we have haven’t been clear in presenting His loving, grace filled solutions. The great truths and promises of God’s Word. So after many years that each of us in ‘Coming Out’ ministries were deluded by the self-truths of the gay culture, Jesus came and got us. God did personally, what the church seemed ill equipped to do as a result of their ignorance. He revealed Himself to us as we each studied our way to not only His truth and light, but a practical and renewing application of the “gospel” of Jesus Christ.
I’m reminded of a song we sang in my childhood. “Hide my light under a bush, Oh no! I’m going to let it shine! I’m going to let it shine! I’m going to let it shine! Let it shine til Jesus Comes!”
Who are God’s remnant? Are they a group of people who shout from lofty positions that we must accommodate what the world is accommodating? Demanding equal rights for everything that displeases God and mixes us up in a deluge of sin ambrosia? Are we all just fine the way we are and not in need of any change? If that’s the case, what is Jesus waiting for? Why hasn’t He come already?
My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Wake Up!” Claim what is rightfully yours! Get into God’s Word and apply every Word He provided us to the eradication of sin. It was one sin that ushered Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. It is one sin that will bar the gates of Heaven to the person who will not let go of it. The sin of pride and self-gratification caused war in Heaven. Jesus came to save us from our sins. He isn’t looking for souls that will make Heaven an unsafe environment, setting itself up for yet another war. He wants you to be joyful and content in Heaven. But if you cling to that which He does not bless or condone, He will not force it out of your hands to make you a conforming resident of Heaven. That’s Satan’s lie about God. That He forces people to do His will. That my friends is the “Great Controversy.”
What will it take for us to recognize that we are being asked to surrender sin and abide in Christ?
“There are evils which man may lessen but can never remove. He is to overcome obstacles and make his surroundings instead of being molded by them. He has room to exercise his talents in bringing order and harmony out of confusion. In this work he may have divine aid if he will claim it. He is not left to battle with temptations and trials in his own strength” (5 T312).
“It is the duty of God’s children to be missionaries for Him, to become acquainted with those who need help. If one is staggering under temptation, his case should be taken up carefully and managed wisely; for his eternal interest is at stake, and the words and acts of those laboring for him may be a savor of life unto life or death unto death” (4 T 69).
In these loud voices of proclamation that insist that God will wink at all our sins, many refuse to give credence and credit to the inspired messenger that God so gracefully sent to us for this time. What a shame! Even in pulpits and in teaching institutions, her words are being disregarded. Her warnings are being considered irrelevant. The blessings God desires to provide through His enlightenment in her, are being stolen from the ears who are in desperate need of hearing.
Many are silencing hope, healing and dedicating lives to Christ, because they can’t see, or don’t want to see that even they can realize and claim the victory that is promised, even for the sin that they cherish and are protecting.
Let me be quick to assure you that I am not writing to throw mud in anyone’s face. I am not writing to have some leader taken to task and reprimanded. I am writing as part of a loud cry to those molded and shaped by darkness to “Wake up!” Satan is a liar! Let’s "hide the Words of God in our hearts so that we would not sin against Him" (Psalm 119:11).
“The price we are required to pay is not gold or silver… God calls for your willing obedience. He asks you to give up your sins” (COL 117).
Universities and many churches are on an escalating trend to welcome and comfort gays with words of love and acceptance. It’s long overdue that we welcome sinners into the family of God. But I beg of you not to leave them in the condition you found them. What if pastors and leaders who have dedicated their lives to the gospel of Jesus, reached out to youth, in love and compassion, yet with words and Scripture that confirms God’s true message to us? Let’s not leave people in a cesspool of sin. Let’s be quick to share the good news of the gospel that shouts out that there is freedom from sin. And let us never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us to surrender and better decisions. In Him we discover a life renewed in Christ’s imparted righteousness.
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Galatians 3:22 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (John 8:36).
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Why are we laying claim to the conditions and lies of this world? That hold us captive. Why aren’t we pouring out the promises of Jesus to those who do not understand His freeing gospel? And if we don’t understand this gospel, why aren’t we securing seminars and programs that teach victory over sin?
Jesus has not left us helpless!
“The Lord sends us warning, counsel, and reproof that we may have opportunity to correct our errors before they become second nature. But if we refuse to be corrected, God does not interfere to counteract the tendencies of our won course of action. He works no miracle that the seed sown may not spring up and bear fruit. … God did not send a supernatural power to harden the heart of the rebellious king, but as Pharaoh resisted the truth the Holy Spirit was withdrawn, and he was left to the darkness and unbelief which he had chosen” (RH, June 20, 1882).
Even if you don’t like the words of Ellen White, are they not true? Dear soul … please loosen yourself from willful blindness. Stop advocating for the sinner and become part of His message to free the sinner.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
We must stop equating making a case for our murmurings and the proliferation of sin. Why are we making cases for that which God cannot ordain? He is not winking at our unrighteous behavior, He does not promote polygamy, monogamous same-sex relationships, ordaining those who identify as one who God says will not enter into Heaven. The verse does not say gays will enter into Heaven. It says “such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Christ gives a new identity to those who choose not to sin. You are not left in a worldly identity. Your King has appointed you a new and eternal citizenship, not of this world. Claim what He promises you! Think out of this world, not in it!
‘Coming Out’ ministries isn’t traveling the globe trying to change homosexual appetites to heterosexual ones. It won’t take you long to listen to us, to find that we are reaching out to ALL who want to be freed from self and our carnal inclinations and lay claim to all that Jesus has promised. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do we believe what we sing week after week? “Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.”
Wake up to a practical Christianity. Wake up to the putting away of sin and choosing to live for your Saviour. Don’t you want freedom?
Test God, hold Him to His promises. Do what He requests and see if He is not faithful to His Word to your heart.
Wayne Blakely is Co-Director and Co-Founder of ‘Coming Out’ Ministries, and a new creation in Christ! He is also featured in the recently released docudrama, “Journey Interrupted.”
www.journeyinterrupted.com