The 7th Cardinal Principle of the CCCU is "Partisan political preaching discountenanced." Without question our founders were very wise to include this statement in our seven principles. It has enabled us to minister to people with a wide variety of political views.
It would not be appropriate for our ministers and Sunday school teachers to use their pulpit or class room to declare partisan political views. Neither should we use these occasions to urge people to vote for a certain political candidate.
However, we do have a responsibility to address moral issues from a biblical perspective. We cannot be silent on matters such as: the practice of homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion and premarital sexual relations. When it comes to moral issues we must stand up and speak up from a Biblical perspective. We must do so with love and compassion. We are to hate sin but love the sinner.
One fears that sometimes we have belittled the homosexual with such disgust that they would never know we really cared about their soul. God will not only forgive them of their sins, He can empower them to keep their lives pure and above reproach.
If we do not speak up on these issues, who will? I can assure you that your children and teens are being indoctrinated on these matters at school, through secular music, television programs and movies. They are being taught to be tolerant and accepting of just about any lifestyle.
It is for these reasons that I will not be silent on moral issues. We cannot allow this generation to be destroyed by depraved and sinful humanity. We must speak the truth in love regardless of the pressures to silence us.
The ACLU and some atheist groups are doing all in their power to intimidate and silence those who speak the truth. We cannot yield to this pressure and back down.
Marin Niemoller was a prominent protestant pastor in Germany. He was an outspoken critic of Adolf Hitler. He spent seven years in a Nazi concentration camp. One of his best remembered statements was:
"First they came for the socialist, and I did not speak out---Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionist and I did not speak out—Because I was not a
trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me—and there was no one to speak for me."
Niemoller believed that the Germans and in particular the leaders of the protestant churches had been complicent in the murder of millions of people by their silence. After his release from prison he said to the Jewish people, "I have sinned and my people have sinned against you by our silence."
Our people and all Americans need to be reminded that Biblical truth does not change with the shifting sands of our society. Again I raise the question, if we don't speak up who will? I for one will not be silent. By the grace of God I will "speak the truth in love." (Eph. 4:15)
