As I write this, I’ve just finished staring at the agenda of a website created by members of a particular Baptist church. Today’s plans are to picket a gay pride parade, followed by plans to surround the funeral of a fallen soldier sharing the “truth” of God’s Word on cardboard signs.
My stomach turns. My heart breaks at the images of little children forced to wear defiling t-shirts and hold signs up screaming hate towards homosexuals. Honestly, I struggle knowing I need to pray for the parents of those innocent kids whom may never understand the true meaning of grace. Give me a minute. If I don’t pray now my heart may harden too much to do so later. Okay, I’m back.
Homosexuality isn’t destroying America; false love is. Christian lawyers stand in court fighting against same-sex marriage, then climb in their sports cars, head to Starbucks for a mid-morning coffee, and are back in the office. I have to wonder what would change if in the middle of the court room, they would walk over to the gay man or the lesbian wishing to marry their partner and simply shake their hand. What about a hug? How about inviting them to Starbucks and buying their coffee, praying for the opportunity to tell them about Jesus?
Doing so doesn’t approve of their lifestyle, but neither does it put them in a category of something other than a person. Homosexuality isn’t a disease. It doesn’t cover people with leprosy. It’s not contagious. It’s simply a word used to define a lifestyle choice.
[ctt template=”3″ link=”8C6aM” via=”yes” ]People don’t go to hell because they are gay. People go to hell because they don’t know Jesus.[/ctt]
I don’t write this to say this particular lifestyle is to be approved of. Homosexuality is a sin. Satan is having a ball in today’s culture as this lifestyle choice is more accepted today than ever before. I’m not saying it’s ok. I’m not saying we should just turn our heads, sit back and do nothing. But the belief that we as Christians are better than homosexuals is far from the truth. It’s time Christians stop pretending so.
A father is separated from his son because his 18-year old comes home one day and announces he is gay. The father looks at his son with eyes that give the message of utter disgust. He tells him he will burn in hell and kicks him out, never speaking to him again. His father hadn’t opened a bible in 30+ years, but didn’t hesitate to stop by the liquor store and pick up a fifth of whiskey and order his wife to have dinner on the table promptly at 6:00 pm or there would be consequences. His sin isn’t considered, but his son’s sin is unforgivable.
Unfortunately, this story happens more than we realize. And what’s even sadder is that it probably happens more in Christian homes. It’s time to turn things around. It’s time to introduce love and grace. It’s time we start taking responsibility for our sins before we point out the sins of others.
This sentence sums it all up- ” People don’t go to hell because they are gay. People go to hell because they don’t know Jesus.”
The church and Body of Christ is doing a great job of keeping people out of heaven by many of our actions.
If love would motivate us how different our churches would be. Sadly many can’t even realize they are not being loving. We fight among ourselves, why would the world want to be part of that? Thankfully not all Christians or churches are like that!
Thanks TC. You’re right. I want to always be motivated by love, but thank God for his grace when I choose to go my own way.
Yeah, thank God for Grace! I sooo need it.
Another good post, friend. We are supposed to build bridges of love not walls of judgment or apathy. May God continue to give us clarity, courage and compassion.
Thanks friend. 🙂
Great post, Sundi Jo. I’m right with you! I also agree with the post of TCAvey
Thanks Rosella.
Just taking your title…what is destroying America…it’s not just one thing.
I believe you would agree that what is talked about in 1 Timothy 3 (men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God) we can see evident in our society. Sexual sin is just one of the problems.
And I personally don’t see Christians as a whole, thinking themselves better than homosexuals. I believe the media has fed that assumption and even Christians are buying into it. Think about it… how many Christians do you know have actually said that think they are better than homosexuals? I personally don’t know any.
And the attention given to the sin of homosexuality has been brought about by the homosexual community itself. So when they rise up demanding recognition because of their sexual preferences, you have dissenting voices which are then labeled haters. It’s all a ploy of the enemy.
You make some good points. However, I’m not just basing this post one one church. I’ve seen hate toward homosexuals first hand from the church. I just happend to write about that church because that’s where I was at the moment.
I’ve met many Christians who think they are better than those who choose that lifestyle and I have been guilty of doing the same. I’m thankful for God’s grace.
Only you can speak for yourself, and I don’t mean to belabor the point, but how do you know for sure that the many Christians you have met actually DO THINK they are better? Is this what they say with their words, or are you judging by actions– i.e they are against same-sex marriage, they don’t want a person in a homosexual lifestyle (thereby living in sin)serving in church positions, or they don’t want a homosexual man leading their son’s boy scout troop?
You gave an example of the Christian lawyer in court fighting same-sex marriage, and why doesn’t he just ask them out for coffee—in these cases, what is being fought against is a lifestyle that (with other social ills) threatens the institution of the family the way God set it to be, and thus threatens a society. If someone if fighting a social ill, it does not mean they hate the person on the other end.
I ask these questions because what I see happening is the lines being blurred …when someone is truly standing against something that is definitely against God, then it’s labeled as hate or having a better-than-thou attitude. Though Christians are to love and accept people, you do not have to accept their wrong lifestyle to the point where you won’t speak out against it because you’re ‘suppose to be loving’.
Just one other point…you’re focusing on that ONE church that is getting all the attention. Why use them as a measuring stick for Christianity? They’re being used by the media and being used to paint the Church as a whole as hateful…which is not the truth.
I’ve heard so much hate speech by Christians towards homosexuals that, according to my experience, Sundi Jo summed up really well what happens in quite a lot of Churches.
Be Love, Give Love….that is all I have to say.
Powerful post, Sundi. It will be good if we could analyse this issue in the light of how Jesus dealt with the woman who was caught in adultery. He is the right model for us today.
Perfect example Joe. I’m working on a book regarding this issue. Would like to use that idea. 🙂
I read about that church. I don’t understand how anyone can reconcile Jesus’s teaching about love with doing something that only serves to intensify a grieving family’s pain. I am called upon by my own faith to hold even the members of that church in love and compassion. Sometimes it’s hard.
Love the sinner, hate the sin. I continue to pray for you Sundi Jo that the Holy Spirit will give you His words as you write this book. There will be many attacks and seemingly plausible reasons to stop, but don’t give up, stay the course, press on toward the prize for which you have been called and seek His constant guidance each moment.
Excellent article. And so very true. Let’s love all sinners regardless of the pet sin that we hate. But first, let’s look at ourselves and remove the plank from our own eyes.
You’re right Matthew. Sometimes I forget that big piece of wood is lodged in my eye. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow that IS bold. I am so proud of you. I agree with you fully, but more importantly, even if I didn’t…your words are well thought out and respectful.
Thanks Christa, I appreciate that feedback coming from both sides.
Yep. Yep. Yep. I have issues with hypocrisy too.
Yep. Yep. Yep. 🙂