The Choice Is Still Yours

In the apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon, the aged, imprisoned servant of Christ informs Philemon that his runaway slave, Onesimus is returning. For the slave owner, this would be good news: his missing property is about to be returned. However, there is a slight problem that Philemon must deal with. Onesimus is now a brother in Christ. It seems that the apostle taught the runaway slave about the Lord and Onesimus had obeyed the gospel. In sending back the former slave to rectify the situation with Philemon, the apostle tells Philemon, "Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you --being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ–" (Philemon 1:8-9 NKJV). Paul, in his position as an apostle, could have demanded Philemon to forgive and forget Onesimus’ past behavior and position as a slave, but instead he appeals to Philemon to act out of love and do the right thing. The bottom line was that the choice was left to Philemon.

God could force everyone to obey him and to do his bidding – after all, He is God – but such is not the case. God allows us to make our own decisions, but holds us accountable for those decisions. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, penned, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV). Philemon had the choice – to do what was right or not. The same choice is given to us.

Recently, the media has informed us that one of the denominations has appointed an openly active homosexual to one of its highest positions. This has caused division among the ranks of its members. The reason behind this division is found in the Bible. The same apostle in writing to Christians at Rome said, "Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1:22-27 NKJV). The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful, and to appoint someone to a position of leadership who engages in such behavior is to go against the teaching of the Bible. Just as Paul allowed Philemon to choose whether or not to forgive and release Onesimus, God will permit the Episcopal church to appoint whomever they want to a position of leadership. He will not send fire from heaven as he did against Sodom and Gomorrah, but he will hold them accountable for their actions. The same principle also applies to each of us. We make countless choices each and everyday. God holds us accountable for those choices. We can choose to condone homosexuality, drunkenness, or gambling. We can choose to believe that the theory of evolution is true or that denominationalism and ecumenicalism are acceptable to God. However we, as Philemon and those who practice homosexuality, will be held accountable for those choices.