This world is not becoming a safer or more prosperous or more “Godly” place–at least not for a while. This sober realization was highlighted this week by North Korea’s underground explosion of a nuclear bomb, causing a 4.5-magnitude earthquake, as well as subsequent short-range missile tests; Iran’s refusal to freeze its nuclear program and its decision to send warships to international waters; Israel’s announcement that settlements in the West Bank will continue; and ongoing frictions between Russia and the EU.
Economically, President Obama admitted that the USA is already out of money, and experts predict that the worst is still to come for America. As Der Spiegel reports, the situation in the USA affects Europe negatively and does not make the Europeans–and especially the Germans–very happy.
Focusing on California, the Wall Street Journal asked how California’s disastrous economic condition could have been averted or at least improved IF Governor Schwarzenegger had carried out his promises; and WorldNetDaily reported about an outrageous case of governmental religious persecution in San Diego, with frightening prospects for the increasing suppression of religious freedom in the USA. That religious persecution is also an ongoing issue of discussion in Europe can be seen in an article reporting about developments in France.
In other news, we are reporting about President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice, as well as Hans-Gert Pöttering’s view on the future of Europe. Mr. Pöttering serves as the president of the European Parliament.
We conclude with three articles pertaining to the ongoing controversy related to the gay community. While it is claimed that Israel is more tolerant of homosexual behavior than the USA, using the defeat of an openly gay contestant in the “American Idol” show as an example, and while the Supreme Court of California, because of a legal technicality, banned new same-sex marriages, the Church of Scotland approved the appointment of an openly gay minister, insinuating that “the Bible does not directly address homosexual relationships, which are now ‘essentially a feature of modern society.'”
Biblical statements in the Old and New Testament leave no doubt how God views homosexual practices. You might just want to look at passages in Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; and Romans 1:26-27.
Note, too, the passage in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, stating: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
The margin of the New King James Bible explains that the term “homosexuals” refers to “those submitting to homosexuals,” while the word “sodomites” refers to “male homosexuals.” The list, which is by no means exclusive, also includes additional sexual sins such as adultery [extra-marital sex] and fornication [pre-marital sex], as well as non-sexual sins.
Notice, however, how Paul continues, in verse 11, showing that homosexuals, as well as fornicators, adulterers and others living in sin, CAN change, with the help of God’s Spirit: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God.”
For more information on how GOD looks at the matter of proper and improper sexual conduct, please read our free booklet, “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families.”
