We live in an age when people do not think they are responsible for their actions anymore. When someone is an alcoholic, they say that the person has a "disease" of some sort. Some very eager doctors are trying to find a "gay gene" in the systems of certain people. Many are in favor of distributing birth control to high school children, the purpose being to protect children from the consequences of their actions.

We have a great and terrible problem in this country with people refusing to take responsibility for their actions, and we need to put a stop to it. God said, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:20). When we read words like this, we need to realize that each individual is responsible for his actions, no matter how great or stupid they may be.

Notice please that the drinking that was going on was in the same category as "lasciviousness," "lusts," and "abominable idolatries." For one to drink alcoholic drinks was to "run" with "excess of riot"! Does this sound like God was sanctioning these things? Does it sound like God considers a person's lack of control "a disease"? Friends, these things are a sin in the sight of God, and we must not be partakers of people's evil deeds (2 John 11).

This mind set is nothing new. In the garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God asks them what they have done. Notice the answers that are given. Adam says, "The woman whom thou gayest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Gen. 3:12). When God looked to Eve, she said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat" (Gen. 3:13). Very simply, they were refusing to take responsibility for their actions !

When we see someone who is drinking intoxicating drinks, we need to remember the words of Solomon when he said, "Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder" (Prov. 23:29-32). We need to remember what Peter said in 1 Peter 4:2-4.

That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine (passed out drunk, wino), revellings (wild drinking parties, drunken debauchery), banquetings (social drinking occasions, lit. "a drinking"), and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

In thinking about homosexuality, let us simply read what God has said over the years concerning this "lifestyle choice." "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with woman-kind: it is abomination" (Lev. 18:22). Also, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Lev. 20:13). Does this sound like God approved of these peoples' "lifestyle choice"? Please notice some New Testament passages that shed light on this subject. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And like-wise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet" (Rom. 1:26-27). When he said it was "that which is against nature," we know that you could search for the rest of your life and not find the elusive "gay gene" in a man or woman's body!

No friends, God did not make anyone this way! Let us look on. Paul also said that this type of behavior was such that a person will not enter heaven if he is doing it (1 Cor. 6:9-10). He also said these things belong in the realm of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). This is not to say that a person who was a homosexual could not be saved. Clearly, the Corinthians had some that were homosexuals, but had since changed, obeyed the word of God, and were saved (1 Cor. 6:11). However, what we find today is a group of people who do not want to live up to their responsibilities, nor accept the consequences of their ungodly living. They claim that people who teach the truth are homophobes, or bigots who do not love them. What they need to realize is that the people who love them are the ones warning them of the wrath to come on them if they do not change!

In the case of distributing of birth control methods to unmarried teenagers, we see the very epitome of what we are talking about. Someone would say, "These teenagers are too young to be a daddy or mother." This is true. The way for them to keep from being a parent before they have a chance to grow up is to instill our children with the values given in the Bible. The Hebrew writer said, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4). Young people and old people need to realize that without marriage, they belong in the realm of whoremongers and adulterers when they decide they are going to fulfill their sexual desire regardless of what God has said. God in the very beginning sanctioned that the husband and wife were to be "one flesh." No one else (Gen. 2:24)! When people decide that they are going to live ungodly, they need to realize that there are consequences that they will have to endure!

Let me also say that if one dies in his sins, it is his own fault. In an age where the Bible is available in book form, computer disk, tapes, etc., and in a country with the freedom that we enjoy to openly read and study God's word, there is no excuse for one not knowing about God's word! It is high time that we accepted our responsibilities and learn that God has a plan for us, and if we refuse to listen, it is our own fault. Paul said, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Sadly, ignorance is no excuse for not obeying God's will. Further, we read in Acts 17:30-31, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

What are you going to do? Will you accept your responsibilities? Will you stop looking to your mother and father and blaming them for your problems? Will you stop blaming the environment in which you live for the problems you must face?

Jesus said, "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Here Jesus gives six references to the individual to obey him. With these words, it is not your parents' fault that you are not a Christian. It is not your parents' fault that you have sinned and fallen short in the past (Rom. 3:23). It is not your living conditions that keep you from obeying God. It is up to you. Accept your responsibilities and obey God by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, by repenting of your sins, by confessing your faith, and by being baptized (John 8:24; Acts 17:30; Matt. 10:32; Mark 16:16). Accept your personal responsibilities and live faithfully for God to the very end (1 Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10).

Guardian of Truth XLI: 20 p. 20-21
October 16, 1997