This has been the most intense week I have seen in social media for as far back as I can remember. For my international friends who may not be up on U.S. politics, this week our Supreme Court is hearing arguments for the legalization of gay marriage. I've never seen such battle lines drawn, and I was pretty shocked at the sides some of my friends were taking. It started with the red "marriage equality" symbol I saw showing up on the profile pictures of Facebook friends who are either gay or have been long time gay supporters. Then, I saw my staunchly conservative friends post red crosses as a response. Which I hoped was a symbol that the cross is the solution for every problem. I'd hoped that this picture meant we stand on the Word of God that says the act of homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27, I Cor. 6:9-10), but that above all we show the love of the Cross. In most cases, I was severely disappointed when I saw their follow up updates that showed absolutely no love. Language that mocked and even bullied gays and lesbians left me wondering why anyone in that situation would want to change and be a part of a religion that beats them into the ground.
Let me be absolutely clear on the matter, lest anyone leaves this blog believing I support gay marriage or gay relationships. The act of homosexuality is sin. Period. Sin for which one does not repent (meaning we ask forgiveness, and turn from our wicked ways, abandoning it completely) sends one to a very real place called hell. I have heard it argued repeatedly that living this lifestyle is not sinful, because if someone is born with an attraction to the same sex then God put that desire in them, and why would God place a desire that seems so natural and then force men and women to deny it? The church answer for many years has been to just say "God didn't make you that way". I take a different approach. Psalm 51:5-7 tells us "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; You taught me wisdom in the secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." We are born into sin because we come into a fallen world. One's proclivity towards a sin, doesn't make it less sinful or okay to commit that sin. In the same way a man can be born with genetics that makes him more prone to alcoholism and it doesn't make it OK to follow that path, I believe a man or woman can be born with these attractions and not have to follow through with them. I believe the Lord still desires faithfulness to His Word, and can make one clean.
I share these feelings because I don't want to be mistaken. I believe homosexuality is a serious sin that God can take away, but our approach has to be addressed. When I saw the sometimes vicious words of my friends regarding this debate I was reminded of I Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." Basically, people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care. It's wonderful to know the scriptures to share, but until sinners know that we are sharing our knowledge because we love them so much that we can't fathom the idea of being in heaven without them, it is all worthless.
My favorite verse in all of scripture is Romans 5:8 which says "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Regardless of the sin, there is forgiveness, healing, and wholeness in the name of Jesus. I have seen men and women steeped in this sin and watched the blood of Jesus undeniably change them. I have not doubt that God can forgive homosexuals who repent, because I've seen it with my own eyes.
In other news, this is Holy Week. This is the week we are supposed to be celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord. In a time we should be celebrating the greatest day for Christians, we are tearing each other apart. I'm asking that we take a moment and remember who and where we were before that blood cleansed us. Imagine where you would be if you had been told while you were in your sin that there was not only no hope for you, but that the people who allegedly had found hope and peace wanted nothing to do with you. Jesus, help us share the truth unashamedly, but always with Your love in our hearts and words.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Killing Our Own Soldiers
I have made it known on this blog that I consider the church to be my family. I would hope that all my readers, regardless of which organization they belong to feel this way. I know that if I were in trouble in another state or even in another country, I would probably have some connection that would be eager to help me simply because I am a part of their body of believers. This is a beautiful thing and what the church is meant to be. It has come to my attention, however, that some use this as an excuse to allow for unwholesome talk. For instance, have you ever heard someone bash their church, whether in reference to the global denomination, the local church, their pastor or leadership, and follow it up by saying, "I can say it because I'm part of it, but no body else can say it." For years I've heard that excuse and at one point empathized with it. In recent months I have become incredibly convicted regarding what I have either said or allowed to be said in my presence without disagreement. Those days are over.
I'm not saying we have to blindly accept without argument everything that is said or done in our organizations. While the church as a body was established by Christ, church denominations are man-made and thus, fallible. I am proud to be a part of a denomination that was founded on the idea of seeking God and His standard of holiness, but I am even more proud that this denomination has been strong enough to admit when we have missed the mark. There is a time and place for debate amongst the church, but it is to happen in a respectable fashion. If one feels there is a problem in the church, it should be discussed only with someone who has the authority to fix it. Huddling up to discuss what leadership is doing doesn't fix anything. If there is a sincere issue, then do what the bible says and go to the person with whom you have a problem. If the person you are comparing notes with is not someone with the authority to enact a solution, then you are both part of the problem. It is mindless gossip and it is the type of interaction that will destroy a church.
I know this is extremely harsh, but I need you to bear with me to understand what I'm feeling. How often have we heard references to Christians as "soldiers" on a "battlefield"? We take on the Armor of God to fight the battle against sin. Imagine this battle for a moment. Imagine you put your arm around your fellow soldier, fighting on the same side as you, look at your opponent and say, "This is my brother. I won't allow any of you to assault him," then you look at your brother and say, "but I can kill him because we are family." and with that, you plunge your sword through his flesh. When the numbers are counted, regardless of who actually killed him, your side still shows a loss of life. This is what we do when we gossip and slander our church family. If we are all on the same side, then why are we so content with killing off the very ones who are meant to help us in battle?
The solution is quite simple. First, we must abandon negative, slanderous speech. I've been guilty of it, and I was wrong for it. We should be building up those around us in prayer and speech. We should be lifting up our leadership in prayer. God only knows what they go through and the weight they carry. Good, Godly men and women who can do nothing to shake the burden they carry for souls here and abroad. But it's not enough to control your own tongue. When you listen to gossip and negative speak about the church, you are just as guilty. I've been guilty of that one too...a lot. Usually I said nothing because I didn't want the conversation to get awkward. Let it get awkward! I would rather deal with 5 minutes of discomfort than spend weeks feeling convicted over not speaking up.
Proverbs 26:20-22 says "For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife." When someone comes to you and wants to defame the church, leadership, or laity, shut them off. They won't stop talking until there is no one left to listen. And when they finally stop talking, the strife can die.
I know this was rough, but it's serious. The church (meaning all believers) has enough to combat without having to worry about what happens in the church house. We have to get ourselves in order, because time is running out and I'm tired of watching us kill our own soldiers.
I'm not saying we have to blindly accept without argument everything that is said or done in our organizations. While the church as a body was established by Christ, church denominations are man-made and thus, fallible. I am proud to be a part of a denomination that was founded on the idea of seeking God and His standard of holiness, but I am even more proud that this denomination has been strong enough to admit when we have missed the mark. There is a time and place for debate amongst the church, but it is to happen in a respectable fashion. If one feels there is a problem in the church, it should be discussed only with someone who has the authority to fix it. Huddling up to discuss what leadership is doing doesn't fix anything. If there is a sincere issue, then do what the bible says and go to the person with whom you have a problem. If the person you are comparing notes with is not someone with the authority to enact a solution, then you are both part of the problem. It is mindless gossip and it is the type of interaction that will destroy a church.
I know this is extremely harsh, but I need you to bear with me to understand what I'm feeling. How often have we heard references to Christians as "soldiers" on a "battlefield"? We take on the Armor of God to fight the battle against sin. Imagine this battle for a moment. Imagine you put your arm around your fellow soldier, fighting on the same side as you, look at your opponent and say, "This is my brother. I won't allow any of you to assault him," then you look at your brother and say, "but I can kill him because we are family." and with that, you plunge your sword through his flesh. When the numbers are counted, regardless of who actually killed him, your side still shows a loss of life. This is what we do when we gossip and slander our church family. If we are all on the same side, then why are we so content with killing off the very ones who are meant to help us in battle?
The solution is quite simple. First, we must abandon negative, slanderous speech. I've been guilty of it, and I was wrong for it. We should be building up those around us in prayer and speech. We should be lifting up our leadership in prayer. God only knows what they go through and the weight they carry. Good, Godly men and women who can do nothing to shake the burden they carry for souls here and abroad. But it's not enough to control your own tongue. When you listen to gossip and negative speak about the church, you are just as guilty. I've been guilty of that one too...a lot. Usually I said nothing because I didn't want the conversation to get awkward. Let it get awkward! I would rather deal with 5 minutes of discomfort than spend weeks feeling convicted over not speaking up.
Proverbs 26:20-22 says "For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife." When someone comes to you and wants to defame the church, leadership, or laity, shut them off. They won't stop talking until there is no one left to listen. And when they finally stop talking, the strife can die.
I know this was rough, but it's serious. The church (meaning all believers) has enough to combat without having to worry about what happens in the church house. We have to get ourselves in order, because time is running out and I'm tired of watching us kill our own soldiers.
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