The verse after the most famous verse
Recently we had a discussion at our church on what would happen if a homosexual wanted to attend our church on a regular basis.
We’ve seen other people, churches, and their religious opinions get very far from God’s word and grace. We’ve even heard people say, “they will never be welcome in this church. We must protect our kids!”
And my response is always, “so what are you doing to protect your kids from the liars? Or how do you shield them from those who have a rotten attitude?”
The truth: sin is sin. Big sin, small sin. It’s all sin to God. Yes I know that some life styles are more “unhealthy” in community settings and we do need to protect children from the deviant sexual culture. It can go bad very fast, and I’m not advocating placing these people in children’s church as workers. That would be stupid.
However, we must understand that we’ve all fallen short from God’s expectations, and that Christ came to this world not to condemn or point fingers, but to save us. This is a mindset and judging issue.
So as the church, we’re obligated to show that same love that Jesus had to every person and every situation – with wisdom and discernment.
John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the wold to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”
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At this time, I am a Christian in the upward calling of Jesus Christ for a homosexual. Celibate for twenty-five years, I have been secretly fighting these forbidden desires in my heart.
My struggle has been intense and painful and dark.
I feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. On one side are unrepentant homosexuals warring against those who have come into the Light. On the other side, Christians are angry at a “life-style choice” and fearful of contamination of the church and their country.
The root of homosexuality, indeed the root of all sin, is abandoning the glory of God revealed for the darkness of rebellion and idolatry. In the end, all sin is love of self rather than love for God and other people.
You will never know the struggles to openly confess my sin to other Christians.
Twice previously I have confessed to pastors and elders; but, the responses have not been a balance of God’s holiness and grace. Unfortunately, many Christians have adopted the modern language—secular and political—of homosexual orientation and life style choice. And, I fear much of the evangelical church in America can no longer address sins which do so easily beset us.
A safe church will never compromise the purity and holiness and righteousness of God; and, would also never fail to compromise, nor fail to proclaim, the grace and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ our Savior.
In all of us who battle with sin, we need the church. We need teachers to help me understand Scripture, intercessors to pray for us, and preachers to point us toward Jesus. We need Christian men and women to remind us of God’s grace and blessings, to help use recognize foolish decisions, and to remind us everything God said is true in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ricky