My response to the Grammy’s controversial mass ceremonies performed on stage may be delayed, but my heart needed prayerful time to respond. It’s actually not my response to the event I’m writing about today, it’s the response to a fellow brother in Christ that I feel led to confront.

I woke up to read this response to to the event with a sad heart.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!”
(Isaiah 5:20–21)
Flaunting sin before a Holy God.

First of all, allow me to say I respect the writer of these words. I believe he loves God and has a desire to see no one be separated from God. However, I am disturbed by the judgment I read in his words.

This year, the Grammy Awards weren’t just about the music, they were also about making a statement in the same-sex marriage debate.Heavily hyped in the hours leading up to Sunday night’s show, 34 couples — both gay and straight — exchanged rings and said “I do,” as officiated on stage by Queen Latifah. The actress/rapper/talk show host was recently deputized by Los Angeles County to legally conduct wedding ceremonies and will sign the marriage certificates for each couple. The event took place on a stage set to resemble a giant chapel with stained-glass windows during a performance by hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, in which they sang their hit tune “Same Love,” a song embraced by the LGBT community last year.”
We are seeing Romans 1 worked out before our very eyes. So what would Jesus say–what DID He say:?
“Have you not read….:” “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”
(Matthew 19:4–5)Really the battle about origins is a battle over authority–who is the authority, God or man! And it’s a battle of world views–secular humanism (moral relativism) and Christianity (moral absolutes).

To all my believing friends, may I ask this question? If you were a non-believer, would any of these words draw you closer to the God whom created you? I would have to say no.

Dr. Henry Cloud said, “Truth without grace is judgment.” He is right. 

As Christians, we should share the truth. It’s our responsibility to share the Gospel with the world. It’s our duty as followers of Jesus Christ to be a light in a dark world.

But, oh, please hear my heart. So many of our words, much like the above mentioned, are not spreading light. They are simply spreading judgment, confusion, and a lack of love.

Before I became a follower of Christ, had you written on your Facebook page, as a well-respected Christian, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil,” I would have walked away confused. Confused because I didn’t know the Lord. Confused because I had no clue who Jesus was. Confused because of your condemnation of me without giving me a true explanation of the love of Christ.

Dear Church, I’m not saying you shouldn’t share Scripture with others. But I am asking you to consider how you say it. I’m not asking you to stand back and keep your faith a secret. But I am asking you to share your faith with grace. I’m asking you to respond out of a love for Christ, and a true desire to see no one depart from the Lord, not out of judgment.

Let’s take Natalie Grant for example. Of course she’s been under fire, accused of leaving during a certain performance. But her words. Her words exude grace. Her words don’t deny her love for Jesus, nor do they condemn. You can read the rest of the amazing story on Natalie here.

I am honored to be a part of the Christian music community. I’ve had many people throughout my career ask why I never tried to go in to mainstream music and last night was a beautiful reminder that I love singing about Jesus and FOR Jesus.
I’ve judged no one. I hate no one. And I believe that every person has been created in the image of God. I will never stand on a street corner and wave a sign, I won’t use my platform to engage in political arguments that will only divide and not unite. I will continue to pray that my life will be my message. I do have my own personal convictions that I live by, and I will continue to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord.

Dear Church, people are watching you. Non-believers from every race, gender, age, and sexual orientation are watching you. They’re listening. They’re waiting.

People don’t go to hell because they choose homosexuality. Someone doesn’t go to hell because they’re an alcoholic. Someone doesn’t go to hell for having a one-night stand.

People go to hell because they don’t know Jesus Christ. What are we as the church doing to change that? 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – Colossians 3:12

Dear Church, let us walk in love. Compassion. Kindness. Humility. Gentleness. Patience.