NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE /To the Point
--By: Franklin Graham
-Decision Magazine / May 2012

AS America moves closer to the presidential election, the politacal debate has intensified. Republicans, Democrats and independents have all been promising what they will do to make our nation a better place.

I have met all of the leading presidential candidates. When I consider who to vote for, I am most interested in the policies they espouse, and how they follow the clear teaching of God's Word where government policy intersects fundamental moral and spiritual concerns.

For example, I cannot support any candidate or party that favors abortion. Since 1973 when Roe v. Wade became the law of the land, more than 54 million American children have been slaughtered. Abortion is wrong. It is the murder of unborn children, and no law of the land and no party platform can ever legitimize it. How tragic that a mother's womb has become a killing field for the innocents!

As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I believe this is a non-negotiable issue. I trust that Christians will never grow weary in boldly speaking out on behalf of the unborn, persevering in prayer for God to transform the hearts and minds of our sin-sickened nation.

Same-sex marriage is another moral flashpoint. Who would have ever thought a few decades ago, that eight states would have passed legislation recognizing same-sex marriage as legal? Yet in all 28 states where the issue of some-sex marriage has been put to a statewide vote of the public, it has been roundly defeated and rejected.

This May in my home state of North Carolina, we are voting on a constitution amendment that affirms and upholds the traditional, biblical definition of marriage. President Obama, who has said in the past that he is open-minded on gay marriage and civil unions, has inserted himself directly into the issue in North Carolina by announcing his opposition to the amendment.

The Bible clearly defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. There is absolutely no gray area.

Indeed, the Scriptures reveal that when people forgo God's truth for Satan's lies, they become increasingly immoral. The consequences are frightening: "God gave them over to degrading passions" including homosexuality, and "gave them over to a depraved mind" (Romans 1:26,28, NASB).

I realize our nation needs constructive, wise policies for the economy, national defense, energy and a number of other key concerns. My lifetime spans 12 presidents, some liberal and some conservative. They have approached these topics with different policies. At least there is some room for sincere debate on these issues.

However, there is no place for compromise on straightforward moral issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. God has given us clear, biblical direction that we must follow and obey.

Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord. Anyone who calls himself a Christian must not only trust Jesus as Savior but also humbly obey Him as Lord. That starts with acknowledging His authority in every realm, including His clearly revealed moral will.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). --
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-EDITORIAL:

-SUNRISE OR SUNSET
IN AMERICA?
-By: David R. Barnhart

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteouness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18).

-OBAMA SUPPORTS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE-

It happened! Barack Obama declared his suppport for same-sex marriage. Hardly a surprise, since we knew where he stood on this issue. Early in his presidency Obama asserted that America is no longer a Christian nation: now is out to prove it. In an interview with Robin Roberts on ABC News, May 8 2012, President Obama stated:

"I've just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married...We are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it's also the Golden Rule."

-EVEN THE PRESIDENT
CAN'T NULLIFY GOD'S LAW

Obama sought to justify his decision by basing it on his personal Christian faith. He cited the Golden Rule and Christ's sacrifice on the cross. However, not even the President of the United States can nullify the Law of God. Christ did not die on the cross so we could justify evil and condemn what is good. The Golden Rule is not about same-sex marriage, neither is it a license to desecrate the holy estate of marriage between one man and one woman. God Himself established marriage, and He will not allow this abomination to stand. While Obama's position on same-sex marriage may have "evolved," God's position on marriage has not changed.

Some of the harshest criticisms regarding Obama's approval of same-sex marriage have come from his strongest black supporters. Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, said: "President Obama has betrayed the Bible and the Black Church with his endorsement of same-sex marriage. The Bible is crystal clear on this subject, and the Black Church strongly opposes same-sex marriage. His endorsement is an inadvertent attack on the Christian Faith. America is now a candidate for the same judgment received by Sodom and Gomorrah. This was a sad day and a very bad decision by our President. The moral impact of this day and decision is equal to the military impact of al-Qaeda when they attacked the Twin Towers on 9/11. Today's announcement is a moral earthquake equivalent to a tsunami or hurricane that will have far more devasting results than Katrina."

Franklin Graham said "President Obama has shaken his fist in the face of God." The Bible declares "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). The words of the prophet Hosea certainly apply to our nation today: "They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind" (Hosea 8:7).

LIKE TRYING TO STOP A MOVING TRAIN

America is in grave danger of God's wrath being poured out on us, not only because of same-sex marriage but other moral issues as well, especially our culture's acceptance of abortion. Some highly respected Christian leaders believe God's judgment is already upon us, but my understanding of Scripture leads me to believe that statement may be premature. When the full measure of God's judgment falls, the entire nation will know it, believers and nonbelievers alike.

One does not need to be a prophet to see what is about to descend on America. It's like watching a speeding locomotive bearing down on a crowded bus stalled on the tracks at a railroad crossing. You know what's going to happen, but there is precious little you can do to stop it. Attempting to inform the train's engineer or pleading with those inside the bus to get off might prevent the coming disaster, but is there time and will they heed the warning?

Ronald Reagan ran for president under the theme "It's Morning in America." Today Barack Obama is running under the theme "Forward." But, is he moving our nation forward into the sunset of God's judgment?

God is still pleading for America to return to the proven paths of His truth. But the only way to restore God's blessing on our land is for the American people to sincerely repent, seek His forgiveness and CHANGE OUR WAYS! There is little time left; the hour of decision is upon us. Christians, we need to get on our knees and pray for America as we've never prayed before!

-GOD BLESS AMERICA! GOD FORGIVE AMERICA! IN GOD WE TRUST!