for God so loved the world

I don’t often write about so-called “hot topics”, but this one has come up more than a few times recently and has been on my mind a lot.  You may disagree with me, and that’s okay.  I will still love you.  I will still listen to you and respect your opinions.  We can still be friends and enjoy coffee together.

I am saddened by how Christians have treated homosexuals.  We alienate and judge them, shaking our heads in disgust and shunning them with our superiority.  We welcome all kinds of sinners into our lives and into the church: active and practicing liars, adulterers, addicts, fornicators, gossips…but not gays.  We have earned titles of “homophobic” and “hatemongers” because often the message that is preached is that God hates homosexuals.

This is so very wrong and it breaks my heart.  God so loved the world that He sent Jesus to die for us, even while we were still sinners.  We are to love our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, and even our enemies.  (See John 3:16-17, Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 5:8, Matthew 7:1-5, Mark 2:13-17, Galatians 5:14, etc.)

But then there is the other side of the coin: Christians that take a neutral stance in the name of love, saying, “It’s none of our business anyway”, or claim nothing wrong with homosexuality, perhaps joining in the message, “They were born this way.”   We now have gay pastors and homosexual Christians, living lives and preaching messages contrary to the Word of God.

Scripture is clear that we have ALL been born this way: as slaves to sin, and it is only by His grace that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:23-24).  The Bible is also very clear that homosexuality is one of many sins:

“Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NKJV.  (See also: Leviticus 20:13, Mark 10:6-9, Romans 1:20-32, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, Hebrews 13:4, Galatians 5:16-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, and Jude 1:7, to name a few.)

Just because the Bible is clear on homosexuality (as well as many other moral issues) doesn’t mean that it is a gospel of hate.  And in the same way, just because I believe that homosexuality is unnatural and sinful doesn’t mean I am allowed to treat a gay person any differently from anyone else or judge them for their behaviors and actions.  We are called to both unconditionally love others AND stand for the truth of God’s Word.  And in this I am saddened to find the church lacking.  How in the world would I ever be able to invite a gay friend or a gay couple into a Bible-believing church or even to an outreach ministry event?  Can you imagine what could happen?

However, I also don't think that because the church has treated homosexuals so poorly, we should instead compromise on what scripture says and welcome homosexuality with open arms to make up for it.  For me there is a very huge difference in welcoming homosexuals and in welcoming homosexuality.  ("Love the sinner; hate the sin," some would say.)  Instead, why don't we apologize to the gay community for our poor example of the gospel and instead show them compassion and friendship as Jesus did?  That doesn't mean we have to agree, but it does mean we love.  I don't have to approve of every decision you've made in life or agree with your every belief in order to care for you.


 As far as gay marriage is concerned, I think it is clear that this is also not a part of God’s design (1 Corinthians 7:2, Matthew 19:4-6, Gen 2:24).  However, I do think that the church has handled this too very poorly.  If we believe what the Bible says, the church should stand for marriage as God intended it to be between one man and one woman.  Does that mean that it is also our duty to define it in our legal system for everyone, even those who don’t share our beliefs and morals?

Honestly, I really don’t have an answer for this question.  We should obviously stand for the truth in God’s Word without shame, but I’m not so sure trying to force our beliefs onto others is the right answer either.  For me, it is the difficulty that comes with legislating morality.  I find it to be not as simple as some people see it.
 

The whole point of me writing this is that it isn’t just a theoretical discussion.  Homosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, and all humans are REAL people; people who have intelligence, skills, dreams, passions, and who have needs and are hurting just like anyone else.  And there are Bible-believing Christians who have friends and family struggling with this issue and are unsupported in how to genuinely love and minister to their loved ones.  I feel that this is a huge problem that the church is unable to address right now.  It seems we are so busy being political that we’re neglecting the people.  REAL, ACTUAL people.


For me, I can only follow what I know and believe: that Jesus loves us.  That He died for us while we were yet still sinners.  That when we trust and believe in Him as our Savior, He grants us unending forgiveness and unfailing love.  And that because of His grace we are forever changed by His love.

I want to see all people treated the way Jesus would have treated them, with love, respect, and compassion.  I want to see hurting people discover a life of freedom and wholeness through the truth of the gospel.  I want to see a church that truly loves the Lord and desires to share His heart for lost people.  I want to know His love and learn to love His way.  Shouldn’t this be our primary goal?

Matthew 22:36-40:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”