The role of the pastor in general, and the American Church in particular, has long been one of the prophetic voice.  By this I do not mean so much the foretelling of events as we teach on eschatological (last days) topics, but rather the forth-telling of God’s Word.  It is a rare thing today to hear a “man of God” say “Thus saith the Lord.”  It is imperative that pastors take up the mantle from the prophets of old and boldly declare what God has said about the issues of our day (Micah 6:8, Amos 4:1, Haggai 1:3-11). 

This month’s Prophet’s Portion will lay out a few of NYFRF’s positions with supporting Scripture.

Issues of Life

In many main-line denominations today we see “clergy” abandoning the traditional pro-life position that the Word of God teaches.  NYFRF rejects this.  God’s Word instructs us concerning life issues.  Life begins at conception (Ps. 139:14-16, Jer. 1:5) and ends with natural death.  The Lord alone is the giver and taker of life (Gen. 2:7, Rev. 9:6).

The Scriptures teach that life is sacred, because man is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27).  The value of life should not be evaluated by one’s contribution to society, but rather recognized as innately valued because of the Eternal image it bears.  The Down’s syndrome child is just as valuable as the one who will eventually contribute to the tax base, and should be valued as such.

One must be wary and vigilant as they hear people debate in-vitro fertilization techniques, pre-natal screening, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia and the like.

 Homosexuality

The Scriptures teach that homosexuality is a willful decision to sin, a perversion of what God intended and an abomination (Lev. 18:22; 20:13).  While the Bible is clear that God loves the one who engages in homosexual practices (John 3:16), it is equally clear that He will judge sin (Heb. 9:27). 

Homosexuality is the result of a heart, individually, and a culture, corporately, that has willfully and habitually rejected God, worshipping the creature rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:20-27, Jude 7).

Today we are seeing that the debate is progressing from, not only homosexuality and lesbianism, but into transgendered people; yet the Word of God teaches that God created them “male and female” (Gen. 1:27).

While NYFRF understands that it is difficult to leave the homosexual lifestyle, it is possible (1 Cor. 6:9-11).  The Christian community is not acting in love toward those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, when they withhold from those individuals the hope, love and forgiveness that can be realized through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8).

 Marriage

Marriage was instituted by the Lord and is to be the union of one man and one woman, for one lifetime (Gen 2:20-25).  God hates divorce, and it is never His ideal (Mal. 2:16).  NYFRF rejects the idea of so called “same-sex marriage” and the “polyamory” (many love) movement. 

Marriage is actually an illustration of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).  Yet admittedly, many Christians are not living in the reality of this teaching.  Too many families have been broken by lust, greed, pornography, self-centeredness and materialism.  The Body of Christ has much work to do in rebuilding the institution of marriage within our churches and the greater culture at large.

Other Social Issues

While NYFRF does not believe that the Church should adopt a social gospel, it does believe that far too often evangelical churches have abandoned the physical needs of those around them, allowing liberal churches to claim a monopoly on care and compassion.

While it is not a sin for an individual to receive government assistance, it should not be necessary that God’s people turn to either government agencies or apostate churches to have their basic needs met.  God’s intention is that a man provides for his family, and when he cannot, the Church assists where and when needed (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Tim. 5:8-10).

Conclusion

No doubt in the years to come, the issues will change, but know that NYFRF’s stand, by the grace of God, is upon His Word as final, complete and historically understood.  God’s Word is sufficient to instruct us in all the issues that we face, and we must not shy away from applying the Bible to every aspect of life (2 Tim. 3:16).  It is and always will be relevant to our culture.