Dear Partner,

"Can't we all just get along?" That seems to be the question today not only in society, but also in the various denominations of Christianity. The answer is a resounding "No!" It is true that Jesus said Christians would be known by their love one for another. All of us have heard many sermons based on that truth. But not many have heard sermons on the following passage, spoken by the same Lord of us all:

Luke 12:51-53   Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

The bible speaks of those who cry "Peace, peace, when there is no peace." The reference is the book of Jeremiah:

Jer 8:11   For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

In context the "they" referred to in that verse were the false prophets and corrupt priests of that day. They were calling for "unity" and "peace" between those who were living corrupt lifestyles and those who were calling for purity in their generation. Listen to the same verse as it is translated in the Living Bible:

Jer 8:11   They give useless medicine for my people's grievous wounds, for they assure them all is well when that isn't so at all!

On July 4th, 2005 the Associated Press released a news article with the headline: "United Church Of Christ Committee Overwhelmingly Approves Measure Endorsing Gay Marriage." The same week a news article was released stating that the senate of Canada was about to approve by an overwhelming margin legislation that would legalize gay marriage in that nation. It will soon be illegal for a Christian minister in Canada to refuse to perform a marriage joining together two homosexuals or lesbians in "holy" matrimony!

Things are not well. We are coming again to a time when true Christianity will be under fierce attack from those who cry "Peace, peace …" when there is no peace. God's Word is unchanging and it declares the sin of homosexuality and lesbianism as an "abomination" in the sight of God. Yet this very month a whole nation is legitimizing these sins as being equal with the joining of a man and a woman in marriage. Even worse than a secular government endorsing gay marriage, a branch of the Church that "supposedly" exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ also rejects the plain truth of God's Word and bows to the god of this world by approving that which God declares is an abomination.

There is a distinct line being drawn between righteousness and debauchery. Those who cry "unity" are only doing so if you agree to join in approving debauchery with them. They have no intention of repenting and joining you and your stand for righteousness.

It will soon be a common thing to read about true ministers of the gospel being accused of preaching "hate" messages because they teach that homosexuality is a sin based on Romans chapter one. It will not be long before American preachers will face going to jail if they refuse to join homosexual couples in marriage. As for me, I have already made up my mind. I will suffer incarceration before I will proclaim God's blessing on a union He declares is an abomination.

Even as I write these strong words my heart goes out to those who are caught up in those sins and do not know how to get free. It is one thing to be in sin and crying out for deliverance. It is another thing entirely to call sin righteousness and to impose your unholy will on the Church of God by political force.

I would prefer to always write these letters concerning pleasant things each month. But to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Think what it will be like when any citizen can be arrested for refusing to allow his or her child to be taught in public schools that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle. WARNING: The spirit of the anti-Christ is on the attack in America. "Can't we all just get along?" NO! Jesus concluded His teaching with this example:

Luke 12:54-57   And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

Sue and I love you and appreciate you. We thank God for your generous and giving heart. God bless you!

Your friend and co-laborer,

Gary Carpenter

Back « to the Resource page or on to the Next letter » Aug 2005