(There are two articles on this page)
Abomination
by Heath Rogers
We may not use the word “abomination” very often in our daily lives, but it is an important word in the Bible, and thus we should know what it means.
There are three Hebrew words in the Old Testament which are translated as “abomination” - to’ebah, sheqets and piggul. All these world are similar in meaning (they refer to something that is disgusting). They mostly differ in degree.
In the New Testament, the word “abomination” is translated from the Greek word bdelugma which refers to “an object of disgust.” A similar Greek word (bdelusso - translated “abhor”) means to turn oneself away from a stench. No doubt you have smelled something so foul that it turned your stomach and made you sick. This is what we should have in our mind when we read the word “abomination” in the Bible. It is talking about something God finds to be so foul and offensive that He wants to turn away His head in disgust.
There are a number of things identified as an “abomination” in the Bible. In this short article, we will take a look at three things which should be of interest to Christians today.
Abortion. Idolatry was an abomination to God; not just the existence of the idol, but also the manner in which the idol was worshiped. “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods” (Deuteronomy 12:31). Despite this warning, God’s people eventually gave themselves to doing the unthinkable - offering their own children in fire to a pagan god. “For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight, says the Lord. They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it. And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart” (Jeremiah 7:30-31). Today, people offer their unborn children to the god of personal choice and freedom from the undesirable consequences of their fornication. They call it “abortion,” but God calls it an ABOMINATION.
Homosexuality. God clearly identified homosexuality as an abomination. “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). Paul said it is against nature and shameful. “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 1:26-27). However, some people in our society have determined it is a wholesome and acceptable lifestyle, and have repeatedly proven they will badger and intimidate those who claim otherwise. What they celebrate as an “alternate lifestyle” is still condemned by God as an ABOMINATION.
Transgender Issues. This topic has come to the forefront of our minds lately, not only on the national level (Bruce Jenner), but also on a local level (the Troy City School System is dealing with this issue). The Bible addresses transgender issues. “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 22:5). This passage is not condemning the practice of wearing costumes for parties or performances. It is dealing with a man passing himself off in society as a woman, and a woman passing herself off in society as a man. Today such people are called “courageous,” but God calls their practice an ABOMINATION.
While we may take comfort in knowing we are not guilty of the sins listed above, let us remember that a great number of other sins are considered an abomination by God, “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
What a tragedy it would be to discover that, while we are trying to please God with our lives, we are actually living a life that God finds to be disgusting and offensive, and thus lose our eternal soul. “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27)!
Our Visitors
by Luther Pratt
“There come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers … he will worship God and report that God is truly among you” (I Corinthians 14:23-25).
Visitors! We love visitors! We have visitors every Lord’s Day morning. It may be a family member, friend, or stranger off the sidewalk. They’ve come to worship God and study the Bible at our church! What are our responsibilities to visitors?
- Welcome them. You can share your name, shake hands, and thank them for coming.
- Ask them to sit with you. Your friendliness will leave a lasting impression in a visitor’s mind about God’s church. You can help an older person to not be lonely, teenager to feel accepted, or help a single parent with a child.
- Navigation. Show them where a Bible class, cry-room, and restrooms are located.
- Good worship example. While we don’t do things for appearance, by being interested and engaged in worship others will “see” and understand that God and the Bible are important to you and our congregation.
- Invite them back! Care enough about the visitor to ask them to visit again soon!
Greeting visitors is something we all can do, and a way to reach the lost and help them know “God is truly among you.”
Focusing On Truth, December 2014