Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:
We realize that as the author of the Editorials in the Lake Mills newspaper, you have a right to express opinions on a variety of subjects.  In return, as citizens of this area, we would like to take the opportunity to express a few opinions of our own.  
Surely you must realize that your weekly editorials, consistently lamenting a left-wing cause of the week, will offend approximately half of your readers.  We represent that half and are quite frankly fed up with our Christian morals and values being called into question.  Instead, we are the ones holding strong and fast to the rules that God gave us to live by and to hold others accountable to live by if they claim to follow Christ.  Our nation was founded on this more than 240 years ago.
There are many rules given to us by God in the Bible, and fortunately for all of us, we do worship a forgiving and loving God.  However, that does not mean we are free to do whatever we want with no penalty for our sins.  And yes, of course, we all have sins and not one of us is perfect.  As Christians, we do have the right as well as the responsibility to recognize sin and call it out for what it is.  We are called to love the sinner, but hate the sin.  If we confront a person’s sin and he or she is receptive to our help, we are called to willingly offer that help so that they can overcome the issue and walk according to God’s will for a life led by scripture, which is pleasing to God.  
The last time we checked, this was still a free country and we still enjoyed the freedom to hold our own opinions.  We are still free to choose whether or not we find it morally acceptable to condone something.  That is our right as United States citizens.  We tolerate differences we do not agree with, but there is a big difference between that and accepting, condoning, celebrating, or participating in any activity or choice of another person if we feel that according to our religious beliefs, we find it unacceptable or immoral.  In stark contrast to some other religions though, that does not mean we kill, threaten, or banish people from our civilization for not believing in God or following His rules either.
One of the many issues that is dividing our population is homosexuality and gay marriage.  There has been much debate, and as Christians who do feel that the Bible is very clear in saying that this is wrong, we would like to bring attention to some additional points.  Our hope is that others will try to understand our beliefs and opinions, and realize that we are not trying to pass judgment, but are merely providing our perspective, based on Biblical teaching.     
The Graphic’s Letters to the Editor from Evelyn Heimdal, Dan Skogen, and Jane Colby have said it all, to God’s Glory!  We fully support their statements and conviction.  However, since some previous articles and letters have been very critical of our position, we as Christians felt the need to respond to this misrepresentation of our hearts and views.  We are concerned for the souls of all individuals.  The Bible tells us we will each be accountable if we should steer a person on the wrong path.
Two Bible verses that clearly state our beliefs are:  Leviticus 18:22  “Do not be with a man as one lies with a woman, that is detestable.” and 1 Corinthians 6: 9 & 10  “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders . . . .”  Additional scripture verses like these exist in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, for those who think that the Old Testament does not relate to us today.  
We believe we are to honor the commandments in the entire Bible, and that scripture is true.  We know that we are not to gossip or backbite or slander our neighbors either and that even issues like gluttony or drunkenness are also listed as sins.  Sin, no matter which one, takes us farther away from God.  We are not here to judge, but we are hoping to show a way to freedom and deliverance for all who desire a way out.
The major purpose of living a Christian life is the hope we have in Everlasting Life.  We know we are all sinners and we need to continually call on God for forgiveness.  We are all going to be judged someday, and we don’t want to hear, “I know you not.”  When we ask for forgiveness, He also says to us, “Go and sin no more.”  That forgiveness is given freely by God because Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for all of our sins, but in return we are expected to turn away from our sin and repent.  Just because Christ took away our sins through his death on the cross, we are not free to go on doing what we know is wrong.  We cannot sacrifice Biblical truth just so everyone can feel good about everything they do, but this seems to be more and more expected in our increasingly politically correct world.
We know we are to love and care for sinners, and we also know that we need to pray for them so they can recognize their sin and turn to God for help.  This is not to be confused with judgment and criticism, but a firm desire to see that everyone is saved and comes to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior so they can live with us in heaven and have everlasting life.  We are not here to bully anyone.  We are simply speaking the truth with as much love and compassion as possible.  We were reminded recently of a story of a young man who had a ‘near death’ experience.  He said that he saw Hell, and after he survived, he was so thankful to get the opportunity to start over and to be able to turn his life around.
There may be persecution for Christians, and that is already being experienced more than ever today.  But the Word we have from God is full of promises and He takes care of His own, so we need not fear! We are standing for what we believe and asking that we continue to have the right to voice our opinion and convictions without reprisal.  Our nation was founded on religious freedom, and Christianity was the basis of everything we stood for as a nation.  We risk making the same mistake of many nations before us if we choose to destroy the very foundation that has kept us morally strong for the last 243 years.  Our founding fathers fought hard to establish a nation that was free from religious persecution.  Please consider that the next time you choose to call into question a truly conservative Christian voice.
Respectfully,
Ron, Esther, Brett, and Dana Halvorson
Joice

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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