“World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.” So says World Vision’s mission statement.
Attached are three articles -one I have written and the other two are by Art Moore of WND and Dr. Michael Brown. Please read Art Moore and Dr. Brown’s article first, then read mine below. ~ Flip
World Vision – The Policy Change That Rocked Its World!
by Flip Benham, 28 March, 2014Dr. Michael Brown wrote an article concerning what our response to World Vision’s, “Statement of Repentance,” should be over the change in its hiring policy. It is a bit premature to offer up forgiveness, however. World Vision needs to bear the fruit of repentance.
For justice to be brought to victory (Matthew 12:20), more is required. All in leadership of World Vision who approved of, or helped craft this abominable policy change, should be asked to step down. Their hearts are not right before Almighty God. This policy change was not just something that came to them on a lark. It was carefully thought out and strategized. World Vision was looking for the world’s approval and cash.
How can I say this? By their actions – wisdom is known by her children. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. For their leadership to come up with such a subtle and surreptitious attack upon the character of Almighty God and His institution of marriage, (“Changing the employee conduct policy to allow someone in a same-sex marriage who is a professed believer in Jesus Christ to work for us makes our policy more consistent with our practice on other divisive issues”) reveals the true heart of World Vision. It is not a pretty picture.
World Vision has become a gutless, bottom line driven, god-hating, business, which values the accolades and goodies of the World far more than despising the shame of the cross. The evidence of true repentance (Godly sorrow) is beautifully articulated in (2 Corinthians 7: 9-11).
“…yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful in the way God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this Godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”
Is World Vision expressing worldly or Godly sorrow? You be the judge.
Justice must be brought to victory before forgiveness is given. Remember well, that we are to forgive as God has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13). We must be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful (Luke 6:36). Mercy is only dispensed from heaven when Godly sorrow is proven true by her actions. Worldly sorrow (I’m sorry I got caught. Now forgive me, and get me out of this mess) brings only death.
Which sorrow is World Vision demonstrating by its actions? Too early to tell!
World Vision dug this hole. The leadership had been tossing around this, “Let’s remain above the fray and bring unity to the church,” mantra for quite some time before this ludicrous policy change was crafted. Though they will never admit it – World Vision has become an enemy of the cross of Christ. This is exactly what they have become! There is sin in the camp. This was not a “mistake.” It was an incremental and systematic attack upon Almighty God by those who profess to love Him!
We must not act too quickly in dispensing forgiveness, when God Himself would not have us act so quickly. Remember, we must forgive as we have been forgiven.
The world is always trying to press into its mold of forgiveness – when it is to be given, how it is to be given, and who it should be given to. Be very careful of the world’s idea of forgiveness. It is a false representation of God’s forgiveness. Note: After almost every mass shooting and murder, the media immediately runs to victims or victim’s families, shoves a microphone at them, and demands, “Do you forgive “so and so” for murdering or maiming your loved one?”
The world demands you forgive everyone, for everything, every time, immediately. This is called love and what all good people (real Christian people) should do. Much of God’s church has fallen into this infantile deception. This is the most barbaric misrepresentation of God’s Word and His Person. God calls us to forgive as He has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13).
Well, just how does God forgive? Note that when Jesus was hanging on the cross (Luke 23:33-34) He said, “…Father forgive them for they know not what they do… .” He did not say, “I forgive you,” even though He had been given the authority on earth to do this very thing, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins… .” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, take up your mat and go home.” Luke 5:24.
Jesus could have forgiven them that very minute, but he didn’t. Why not? They had nailed Him to a cross and were waiting for Him to die. They hated Him for exposing their sin. They butchered Him so brutally that He didn’t even look like a man. This is what happens when God falls into the hands of angry sinners. There was not an iota of repentance in their evil hearts. They just wanted Him dead.
His desire was clearly to forgive, but He never has and never will dispense His forgiveness upon unrepentant hearts. Jesus could not forgive them. They were in utter rebellion against Almighty God. So Jesus prayed that His Heavenly Father would forgive them. That perhaps, after they realized what they had done by nailing Him to that old rugged cross, and were cut to the heart over their sin, they might run to Him and find the forgiveness that only He could give. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13) to be sure, but mercy cannot be had apart from judgment. This is bringing justice to victory.
Jesus is a friend of sinners. He is not a friend of victims, or of those who attempt to justify, rationalize, or outright deny their sin. No justice – No forgiveness. Forgiveness is found only here for World Vision. Those that led World Vision down this path of rebellion against Almighty God must confess their sin and step down from leadership.
Justice must be done before mercy is dispensed. If forgiveness is not rooted in this truth, it is misguided emotion and will not enlighten a soul to the danger of damnation.
