Myth
There is a bill that just went into effect in Canada last week that is being called a “conversion therapy ban”. Its focus is on traditional biblical sexuality, which is now being labeled as a myth – a false idea. According to civil law, anyone found counseling any person in biblical sexuality (now called myth) will be subject to a possible 5-year jail sentence. It amounts to nothing more than a rejection of God’s authority and the persecution of genuine believers in God. It won’t sit dormant, such legislation is being considered in various places here in the U.S. as well.
The time is fast approaching that God’s people, in this present era, will have to increasingly stand out from the culture around us. Christ said it would be so. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).
The keeping of God’s laws, both in the letter and in the spirit, is what will make God’s elect stand out from the world. After clearly explaining that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law, Christ said, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). We, as God’s people, are not only to keep the commandments, but to teach them as well. God’s law defines human sexuality from the Bible just as it does other important avenues of human behavior. These things we are to live and teach to God’s glory.
We need to remind ourselves of God’s perspective of the persecution that we will encounter at some point. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). From God’s perspective, to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake is a great blessing. The word translated “blessed” here comes from the Greek makarios and it means supremely blessed. It’s not just a good thing, it is something exceptional! Eternal life will be their reward.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45). Such behavior as this would seem foolish and stupid to the persecutors, but it is the mark of wisdom and righteousness to those who will become the spirit born sons of God!
Marshall Stiver
