God Hates Sin
Letter to the Editor of The Bellevue Gazette
Printed on Monday, December 22, 2003
From Pastor Tim Cochran, Clyde Baptist Church
I am writing to thank you for printing the article, "God's Judgment Will Be against Gays." I also appreciate Pastor Flynn for having the courage to speak out on the issue.
I am, however, a little confused about the letter entitled, "Disappointed In Column." These five pastors in Bellevue have me a little confused.
I am not one of the smartest people you will ever meet, I did not finish the highest in my class at Bible college, but as far as I can tell, the Bible very clearly says homosexuality is wrong (sin). God will judge sin.
God will also judge the sin of lying, stealing, cheating, murder, adultery and so on. To say "he will not" is blasphemy, and for a pastor to try to be "contemporary" or "politically correct" instead of saying, "thus saith the Lord" puts their congregation in a very dangerous position, and also whoever else listens to their politically correct doctrine.
Maybe I should give these five pastors the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they are just upset because Pastor Flynn singled out the homosexuals. Maybe they think he should speak out against all sin. I would support that.
Maybe we should give Pastor Flynn a break too. Maybe he thinks he should single them out because of the obvious push made by homosexuals and the TV media to try to desensitize America to their sinful lifestyle, or maybe I am way off base and the five pastors think the Bible is wrong and out of date.
It is true God is a God of love, but God is also a God of judgment. Just look at Israel, who came under the judgment of God and was almost completely wiped out by the Babylonians. If God does not judge sin, He is not true to His own Word.
My name is Tim Cochran, pastor of Clyde Baptist Church. I welcome all kinds of sinners to come join us in all services. I must warn you though, I will be preaching against all types of sin, and we must repent (turn away) from sin and ask for forgiveness, to escape the judgment to come.
I encourage God's shepherds everywhere to preach God's Word, when it is popular, and when it is not. Do not try to add to it, or take away from it, just be faithful, and let God do the rest.