I think this is one of the hardest conversations for Christians to debate. I think God is pretty clear when he says marriage is for a man and a woman. I think a homosexual lifestyle is a sin. However, so is lying, stealing, and any other sexual immorality. God is also pretty clear when he says that all sins are equal. Who am I to say being homosexual is worse than being a lier or a thief? There are scores of people who have premarital sex but there are not angry protesters outside their doors yelling at them. I think the article is right, the worse crime is the lack of love these people receive from Christians who are called to love all. Instead, they get angry, harsh words thrown at them that make them feel like dirt. I am not sure I agree with everything that article said but I do agree that we must love everybody. Just because homosexuals are sinners doesn't mean they don't deserve love. If that were the case. heterosexuals wouldn't deserve love either because lets face it, we are all sinners and in need of God's love.
Thanks for replying. I too agree that this is a tough debate. I also agree with you that sin is sin...period. In fact, Romans Chapter 1 defines the destructive practices of all types of sin. I think society influences us to assume that if your belief system disagrees with another's you automatically hate them. We see this in lifestyle decisions, politics, media and so much more. The truth is you can disagree yet still respect and care for the person. You can "love" them still. God's Word shows how you can love others well, yet still stand for what you believe with no compromises. The key is you have to take the time to seek out God's word and humble yourself to follow it. Which, I am sad to say many Christians don't do. Instead many christians often respond apart from God's word by reaccting to their pride, judgements and emotions. As a follower of Christ you also must realize that as you live out your belief among the world, others might respond to you in hatred. You have to be willing to continue in kindness and grace. This is how you set apart yourself as different. I do believe that God's word is clear on the subject of homosexuality (Romans 1). I believe God's word to be absolutely true and will share what I believe, with gentleness and respect, if given the opportunity by the Holy Spirit. I also have to realize that there are people who don't believe the same things I do. I cannot force my beliefs on them, nor does God ask me to. It is clear in Romans 1 that God himself does not force Himself on anyone. He has given everyone the opportunity to know truth, starting with creation, but in the end He allows them to do what they want. If He doesn't force, I won't force. Instead, I will focus on what He does ask of me. He does ask me to daily live out my life as a follower of Christ, wholeheartedly and humbly committed to Him. I have seen and experienced that living in full obedience to Christ is true life. My hope is that all who meet me will see that in me, whether they believe it to be true or not. My hope is that I can give them a real life example of true christianity.... defined by God instead of defined by man or society. I hope that as they watch my life they will desire to know the God that I love and serve. In Acts 4:13 the disciples are recognized by those who opposed their beliefs as "unschooled and ordinary men, yet they (the people) were amazed and began to recognize that they had been with Jesus". If this is the only thing someone says about me when I die then I have lived the life that God set out for me. This takes full reliance on God and His word because I myself am a sinner. Its also takes the ability to engage in society with all sorts of people... in family, friendships, co-worker relationships, or just life interaction. All people, no matter what they believe, should be treated with respect and kindness. I also want to treat all people with generosity and hospitality. You don't have to participate in a lifestyle you don't agree with to engage. Just simply engage with people where your lives intersect.
I think this is one of the hardest conversations for Christians to debate. I think God is pretty clear when he says marriage is for a man and a woman. I think a homosexual lifestyle is a sin. However, so is lying, stealing, and any other sexual immorality. God is also pretty clear when he says that all sins are equal. Who am I to say being homosexual is worse than being a lier or a thief? There are scores of people who have premarital sex but there are not angry protesters outside their doors yelling at them. I think the article is right, the worse crime is the lack of love these people receive from Christians who are called to love all. Instead, they get angry, harsh words thrown at them that make them feel like dirt. I am not sure I agree with everything that article said but I do agree that we must love everybody. Just because homosexuals are sinners doesn't mean they don't deserve love. If that were the case. heterosexuals wouldn't deserve love either because lets face it, we are all sinners and in need of God's love.
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying. I too agree that this is a tough debate. I also agree with you that sin is sin...period. In fact, Romans Chapter 1 defines the destructive practices of all types of sin. I think society influences us to assume that if your belief system disagrees with another's you automatically hate them. We see this in lifestyle decisions, politics, media and so much more. The truth is you can disagree yet still respect and care for the person. You can "love" them still. God's Word shows how you can love others well, yet still stand for what you believe with no compromises. The key is you have to take the time to seek out God's word and humble yourself to follow it. Which, I am sad to say many Christians don't do. Instead many christians often respond apart from God's word by reaccting to their pride, judgements and emotions. As a follower of Christ you also must realize that as you live out your belief among the world, others might respond to you in hatred. You have to be willing to continue in kindness and grace. This is how you set apart yourself as different. I do believe that God's word is clear on the subject of homosexuality (Romans 1). I believe God's word to be absolutely true and will share what I believe, with gentleness and respect, if given the opportunity by the Holy Spirit. I also have to realize that there are people who don't believe the same things I do. I cannot force my beliefs on them, nor does God ask me to. It is clear in Romans 1 that God himself does not force Himself on anyone. He has given everyone the opportunity to know truth, starting with creation, but in the end He allows them to do what they want. If He doesn't force, I won't force. Instead, I will focus on what He does ask of me. He does ask me to daily live out my life as a follower of Christ, wholeheartedly and humbly committed to Him. I have seen and experienced that living in full obedience to Christ is true life. My hope is that all who meet me will see that in me, whether they believe it to be true or not. My hope is that I can give them a real life example of true christianity.... defined by God instead of defined by man or society. I hope that as they watch my life they will desire to know the God that I love and serve. In Acts 4:13 the disciples are recognized by those who opposed their beliefs as "unschooled and ordinary men, yet they (the people) were amazed and began to recognize that they had been with Jesus". If this is the only thing someone says about me when I die then I have lived the life that God set out for me. This takes full reliance on God and His word because I myself am a sinner. Its also takes the ability to engage in society with all sorts of people... in family, friendships, co-worker relationships, or just life interaction. All people, no matter what they believe, should be treated with respect and kindness. I also want to treat all people with generosity and hospitality. You don't have to participate in a lifestyle you don't agree with to engage. Just simply engage with people where your lives intersect.
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