Despisers of what is good!

The day after North Carolina approved a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, Barack Obama became the first U.S. President to publically endorse homosexual marriage (YahooNews.com, May 9, 2012).  His comments stirred controversy around the globe.

In a commencement address at the University of North Carolina, New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg condemned the state’s new legislation as a “move backwards for civil rights” (Associated Press, May 13, 2012).  In Australia, President Obama’s comments emboldened one senator to chastise conservative leaders “who are still cornered by the old thinking, to move ahead themselves and catch up with the majority of Australians who feel that equal marriage is where we should be going as a nation.”  In Melbourne, an Anglican cleric said that Australia’s own marriage act was discriminatory.  He noted that “It’s dehumanising to tell someone their love isn’t right.”  In Sydney, a Baptist pastor told his congregation (which had shifted on the issue), “There’s constant fear-mongering among some Christian conservatives and they’re trying to degrade what is essentially a desire [on the part of homosexuals] for monogamy, fidelity and the family unit” (Associated Press, May 10, 2012). 

However, many “conservatives” have disagreed and condemned President Obama’s statement.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said the President’s comments were “deeply saddening” (www.osservatoreromano.va, May 11, 2012).

Yet, immoral behaviour continues to go mainstream.  France’s newly elected President François Hollande and his domestic partner Valérie Trierweiler are now the first inaugurated couple in France NOT to be married.  When asked about this, Mr. Hollande stated that marriage “is not something we do because one becomes President of the Republic. The decision is ours.” (Le Figaro, May 9, 2012).  According to a new Harris Interactive poll (May 15, 2012), the majority of the French (79%) do not consider their President’s unmarried relationship to be a moral problem.

Bible prophecy has long foreseen these events.  The Apostle Paul prophesied, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers… unholy… without self-control… despisers of good… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).  The prophet Isaiah also warned the time would come in the nations of Israel when people would “call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). 

As we see these events occurring, we should remember that the Scriptures clearly state that when a nation moves away from God’s instructions, it will face grave consequences (Leviticus 18:22-28).