Friday, April 26, 2019

Papal Notes - Francis & those Itching Ears of the World

"British TV personality Stephen Amos is both gay and an avowed atheist. He was recently at the Vatican on a “pilgrimage” to visit Pope Francis.
When Stephen Amos met Pope Francis he raised the issue of “atheism” and “homosexuality” in relationship to the church. Mr. Amos said the following to Pope Francis:
So, me coming on this pilgrimage being non-religious, I was looking for answers and faith. But as a gay man I don’t feel accepted.”
How did Pope Francis respond to the dilemma of “accepting” atheism and homosexuality in the church?
--Did he express to this individual that God has a plan that is greater and higher than we as humans set for ourselves – which includes keeping God’s commandments? (John 14:15).
--Did Pope Francis share how faith in God and in His Word will transform our lives to be more like the One we follow—Jesus Christ? (1 Peter 2:21, 22).
--Or did the pope tell him that the “unbelieving” (Revelation 21:8) will be lost and that “homosexuals” (1 Corinthians 6:9 NKJV) won’t be in heaven?

No. Pope Francis instead affirmed this person in his error and in his sinful life. Notice how the pope responded:
Giving more importance to the adjective [deeds] than the noun [person] is not good. We are all human beings. It doesn’t matter who you are or how you live your life, you do not lose your dignity. There are people who prefer to select or discard people because of the adjective. These people don’t have a human heart.”
Discarding people? No. The pope is discarding truth. Whenever there is a person heading for eternal ruin because of unbelief or impurity, we are discarding them and consigning them to
destruction when we say “you still have dignity,” don’t worry and everything is OK.
Everyone was born in the image of God, so clearly all human beings have dignity. But the dangerous reasoning that the pope is making is this – “Because we are in God’s image it doesn’t matter how we live our lives.” This is not the gospel. The gospel teaches us that God’s love elevates us to live a life that is pleasing to Him (Psalm 40:8, Revelation 14:12)."
AdventMessenger
....but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:3