As usual, when someone — in this case Jeff Langford or Pastor Paul Van Noy — has the courage to speak the truth, instead of tickling the ears of those who seek only to satisfy their base urges, the standard attacks begin to flow — in this case Brent Neumark (Press “My Turn” June 6).

Clarification:

1. We are all sinners. The difference is some sin, know they have done wrong, repent and try to do better. Others sin, attempt to justify it and use the legal system to force their corruption on all of society.

2. “Thou shalt not commit murder” is fairly easy to understand. Those who ADVOCATE killing for their own profit or mislead others into such horror (as in abortion) directly, intentionally violate God’s mandate, even though they have gained man’s legal right to do so.

3. Sodomy is Biblically condemned as an “abomination.” That, too, is easy to understand even though its ADVOCATES have gained man’s legal right to engage, even tout, this perversion.

4. There is a glaring difference between sinning because of our fallen nature and sinning while ADVOCATING direct, in-your-face violation of God’s commands. Langford raises an excellent point that his attackers will never address nor answer: how can someone CLAIM to be a Christian while actually ADVOCATING such defiance? Of course, they have man’s legal right to do so — and must live (and die) with the consequences — but why would they still insist on wearing the title of Christian while rejecting the requirements? Answer: on the one hand they know and fear what their eternal life will be; on the other hand they are overcome with serving their personal urges. Yes, God’s grace is a free gift. No, “good works” are not required. However, a Christian, for love of God, will WANT to do good works, not defy Him.

5. “Love the sinner — hate the sin” is a concept that many folks either can’t grasp or reject in order to deflect their own guilt. Christians are called to continue loving the sinner, but to hate the things he/she does. Right is right, even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it.

6. Hypocrisy consists of doing that which one condemns in others. Christians are sinners, just like anyone else. That does not mean a Christian must himself be perfect (impossible) in order to point out violations of God’s Word in others. Christians are pointing not to rules they themselves have devised, but to rules the Creator has devised. God still has more authority than man’s self-justifying laws.

HANS NEUMANN

Spirit Lake