Top 5 social issues that church must address today?

Answer 1

Trying to determine which social issues are at the top can be based upon judgment of the individual who will attempt to answer this question. Since I am a deacon of my local church, I will answer this question in relation to my church.

The top five social issues of my church are:

1. Abortion

2. Homosexuals

3. Same Sex Marriage

4. Living Together Before Marriage

5. Divorce

I will answer each in order.

1. Abortion

This is the most difficult issue not only in the church but also in our country. The issue to me is very simple. Who created life?

As far as I know, only God created life and not man. God gave man the institution of marriage to have children. So the issue is when does life begin? Again, this answer is very simple. If an eagles egg is an eagle, than a human egg is a human in the mother. Life begins at conception. Therefore, having an abortion is murder. The killing of a human being. What does The Bible say about murder?

In the Old Testament God said that anyone who deliberately takes a life he must die. For this is a deliberate act of taking a life. Another example is when Cain slew Able, God said to Cain "Your brothers blood cries out to me from the ground". Job mentions that God created life and takes life when Job lost all of his ten children. God must be hearing lots of cries from the ground based upon the 1.5 million babies being aborted every year in the United States.

2. Homosexualism

Homosexualism is a sin. In the Old Testament God tells us that its not right for man to have sex with man and woman woman with a woman. This is not anything new. Many countries that to back in history have done this as a ritual to their god or gods. The Bible is very clear that this is an abomination to God.

If this is correct, what should I do? If you are a Christian, you must love the sinner and hate the sin. The Bible is also clear that all homosexuals will not inherit eternal life.

Therefore, a homosexual must confess his/her sin and turn to God. In the meantime, you can only try to love this individual and also being firm that this act is against God. The Bible also says that God loves all persons and his love extends even to homosexuals. Just like any other sin that keeps us from God, we must confess it and turn from it, and turn to God. God wipes away all sin when we confess our sins and receive him in our heart (being born again) you will be a part of his family. Your old way of life will be forgetton and the life in Christ will become new.

3. Same Sex Marriage

Same sex marriage is abomination to the Lord. God established marriage in Genesis chapter 1 between one man and one woman. God also said "let man leave his father and mother and let the two become one flesh. What God has joined together, let not man separate". This act is total sin against God. Just like the homosexual, we (the church) must love the sinner and hate the sin. The main purpose for marriage is to produce offspring. People of the same sex cannot do this. Therefore, the church must speak out against this abomination that's hurting all across this great land and the globe.

4. Living Together Before Marriage

Some people believe that this is ok. Well, I disagree. What does the Bible say? A man must cleave unto his wife and leave his father and mother. Living together means no commitment. God established marriage for a lifetime commitment. God hates divorce. When two people live together, there is no commitment. Also, God says in the New Testament, that having sex before marriage is a sin.

This is called fornication. I don't know of any couple living together that will not have sex. Sex was established by God for married couples. When couples who are living together have sex outside of marriage, they commit sin.

Just as in the prior answers, Christians must again love the SINNER and HATE the SIN. It's a given fact that when couples marry by following God's plan, they will be much happier and will have a greater success of staying together until one dies. Some people say: I try on a pair of shoes, so why cannot I try living together before I make my big step. My answer to this is hogwash. This is not normal way for a Christan to live. We must follow God commandments. People that do live together must know in advance that they are sinning against the Lord.

5. Divorce

This is one of the most difficult sins that one must deal with. The impact of this alone not only effects the family, but also the community and the church. What does the Bible have to day about divorce? Very clearly, God hates divorce as mention in Malachi chapter 2. Again, we must love the sinner and hate the sin.

What are the causes for divorce?1. Adultry. Either the man or woman has sex or a relationship outside the marriage. This is adultry and a SIN against the Lord and also against the spouse.

2. Christians marrying non-Christians. The Bible is very clear here according to 1 Corinthians chapter 7, believers must not marry non-believers. This will cause conflict and problems in the marriage.

3. Abuse. This is usually by men over women. However, there are some cases where women abuse their husbands. I believe that this is a valid reason for divorce. Couples in this situation must seek help. There are laws today to protect either spouse and children if abuse is being done.

4. Getting married too quickly. Most couples do not know each other well enough before making the commitment of marriage. That is the reason for the engagement period. Couple should be talking about their visions and plans when they do get married. Take time to get to know your partner. Read the following book: "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman.

5. Finances. This is a big area where couples break the marriage and get a divorce. If you should know that your potential partner has debts and other financial problems, you should not get married until they are under control.

6. The husband misunderstands the scripture that says: Wives submit to your husbands for this is right in the Lord. What most husbands forget is the next verse that says, husbands love your wives the way Christ love the church and gave his live for her. The problem is that men think that the are the KING of their Castle. This is not what the Bible says. In Genesis, God says the reason why he gave Eve to Adam was to be his helper by taking a rib out of man and created women. This act meant that she, your wife, is by your side not for you to rule over her. God did not take a bone out of the man's foot.

There are a lot more causes for divorce. I mentioned the six that have an impact on the church the most.

For those of you who are not believers, you may think that the answers to these questions might seem I am out of my mind. Well, you are entitled to your opinion. I tried to present these answers from the viewpoint of the church and God. If you want to get into heaven, you must believe:

1. That Jesus is the Son of God

2. That Jesus was born of a virgin

3. Died on the cross for all the sins of the world including yours

4. Believe in His resurrection.

5. Ask Jesus to come into your heart by asking him too.

6. Repent from your sins.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian.

Answer 2

Divorce. Currently the average divorce rate for Christians in only slightly lower than that of non-Christians. These divorces are tearing families apart and, by extension, the Body of Christ.