Am I the only person who is getting really frustrated with the amount of talk we hear from pulpits and ministries about homosexual sin?
Granted, homosexual activist are aggressively pursuing an agenda to normalize homosexuality through a variety of cultural and political mechanisms. This does bring the issue to the forefront and create additional concern for many Christians right now. But, let's leave that off the table for a moment.
Let’s look at two important points regarding the homosexuality discussion:
1) Let's not soft-peddle this, the issue is Cowardice.
To stand up in front of a church full of heterosexual Christians and denounce homosexuality is generally an act of cowardice. Why, you ask? Simple: Over 50% of most congregations are divorced and in adulterous 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) marriages, roughly 80% of the church body is inactive in any ministry or outreach for Christ and by any measure a majority of the attendees are "sold out" to secular values and materialism.
To stand up in front of this crowd and denounce homosexuals, (who are not present and won't make waves,) is just plain cowardice! The Pharisee's worked this same angle and Jesus called them on it:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
- Matthew 7:3-5 NIV
2) Jesus and Homosexuality.
Homosexuality was abundant in the Roman Empire at the time of Christ*. Have you ever noticed how much time Jesus spent preaching against homosexuality? None! Nada! Zip!
Simply put, homosexuality is just a sin. The key to overcoming sin is SALVATION! Although this verse is a little out of context, there is no question that it also pertains to this issue as well:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Let’s recap…
Here are the alternatives:
Granted, homosexual activist are aggressively pursuing an agenda to normalize homosexuality through a variety of cultural and political mechanisms. This does bring the issue to the forefront and create additional concern for many Christians right now. But, let's leave that off the table for a moment.
Let’s look at two important points regarding the homosexuality discussion:
1) Let's not soft-peddle this, the issue is Cowardice.
To stand up in front of a church full of heterosexual Christians and denounce homosexuality is generally an act of cowardice. Why, you ask? Simple: Over 50% of most congregations are divorced and in adulterous 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) marriages, roughly 80% of the church body is inactive in any ministry or outreach for Christ and by any measure a majority of the attendees are "sold out" to secular values and materialism.
To stand up in front of this crowd and denounce homosexuals, (who are not present and won't make waves,) is just plain cowardice! The Pharisee's worked this same angle and Jesus called them on it:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
- Matthew 7:3-5 NIV
2) Jesus and Homosexuality.
Homosexuality was abundant in the Roman Empire at the time of Christ*. Have you ever noticed how much time Jesus spent preaching against homosexuality? None! Nada! Zip!
Simply put, homosexuality is just a sin. The key to overcoming sin is SALVATION! Although this verse is a little out of context, there is no question that it also pertains to this issue as well:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Let’s recap…
Here are the alternatives:
Save their souls
(and homosexual behavior will stop as God's Spirit transforms them. )
OR
Stop acceptance of their views of sex
(but leave their souls untouched so they will spend eternity in Hell.)
Stop acceptance of their views of sex
(but leave their souls untouched so they will spend eternity in Hell.)
Jesus left no doubt where his concern was: He came to seek and to save the lost. Should we do any less?
Has political activism become a distraction which allows us to neglect the REAL purpose of our calling? Isn't it easier to talk to a friend or stranger about your political beliefs than about your faith in Christ?
What were we told to do?
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20
May we ALL be saved through the wonderful love of God by the sacrifice of His Son for all of our sins!
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20
May we ALL be saved through the wonderful love of God by the sacrifice of His Son for all of our sins!
* There is another subject that would detract from this topic so we'll save it for later.
VJ, I accidently posted my response when using my daughter's computer. Here it is again in my own name.
ReplyDeleteYou know, a careful reading of Romans 1 seems to suggest homosexuality is an outcropping of the apostasy of the church. When those who know God (and who knows God but the church?) deny Him, when those who purport to know Him refuse to render thanks to Him or exchange true worship of Him as Creator in favor of worshiping the creation, homosexuality is the result. In other words, when the church is not the church, our sin manifests itself in the general society. Instead of pointing fingers outward, maybe we need to ask ourselves why homosexuality in on the rise? Before pointing fingers outside, maybe we need to take a long hard look at ourselves first and repent of our own sin so that healing may come to our land. "If My people which are called by My Name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (1 Chron 7:14). Blasting homosexuals from the pulpit is not the way to change hearts. At the same time, practicing homosexuality is sin. It cannot be glossed over or legitimized as a variation of true Christianity. Great post. Thanks. Amy
Well said. In fact my very next post was going to be on 2 Chron. 7:14 and center on "Why are we looking for Congress to perform the work of the Lord?"
ReplyDeleteAlthough I strongly resist a focus on Satan rather than Christ, I am amazed at how often we, as Christ's servants, lay down our work to answer the distant trumpets of a foe, be it law, policy or idea...
...when we would have been delivered from the issue in question if we'd just finished the task He had already allotted to us.
It occurs often enough to raise questions about "the Devil's schemes" alluded to in Ephesians 6:11.