Monday, January 21, 2013, President Barack Obama will be inaugurated for his second term as president of the United States of America.
Louie Giglio will be missing.
Originally President Obama invited Louie Giglio, an evangelical pastor in Atlanta known for his Passion Conferences and work to end human trafficking around the world, to deliver the benediction at the inauguration. Now Mr. Giglio has withdrawn from the event because of protests that he is “anti-gay.” He did not want his attendance to detract from the work he is doing to end slavery.
Fifteen or twenty years ago, Louie Giglio preached a sermon in which he discussed the gay agenda and the necessity for everyone to repent and trust Jesus Christ.
A friend of mine listened to the entire sermon. He said that the sermon was very balanced and not judgmental. My friend said that Giglio did not single out homosexuals but rather included them. He said it was a good, gospel sermon speaking of the necessity of repentance.
This is where we are in our beloved country–no longer can an individual hold to a biblical point of view without discrimination for his biblical views. Look at the Cathy family of Chick-fil-A and the Greens of Hobby Lobby.
In spite of what anyone thinks, the necessity of repentance has not changed. Jesus spoke of the radical nature of God’s Kingdom. “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above [anew or again]. . . .Very Truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (John 3: 3, 5).
God’s plan is to do good. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3: 17).
In spite or everything, let us speak truthfully the Word from God. Let us never forget the urgent message of the Gospel and the deep need of people. Let us speak the truth in love.
The bad news is that repentance will not get you into the presidential inauguration; the good news is it will get you into the Kingdom of God.
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2 Responses
Great blog. I totally agree with your comments. Good work.
Someday perhaps I will place for you to see the drafted ‘Purpose Statement’ of the Jefferson Museum, Non-profit Corporation. The memory serves as a reminder to me of how destructive inclusion can be (treating others the way you wish to be treated); because of how destructive the results has been. ‘Hope in Remembrance’ are just words when God’s People don’t show up to ratify them. Yet, it is incumbent upon me to place God’s “Golden Rule” over man’s interpretation which has seemingly prevailed now and many times in the past.
It was Thomas Paine who said, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
As one fatigued soul, the other shoe is falling. I look unto Zion to see the Lamb of God. Perhaps soon I may be able to join those men and women of valor.
Blessings