When I was little, I liked pickles. That is, until one day when I was about 4 years old and for some reason threw up after eating them. That bad experience was enough to get me to not touch them again until I was about 16. I had one on a cheeseburger. Not as terrible of an experience, but still didn't like them. Then when I was 25, I tried them again. This time I loved them. I still eat them quite frequently. I'm glad I tried them again.
Many people have a pickle experience with Christianity. They think it's okay for a while, but then they have a really bad experience with a church or a person claiming to be a Christian. Some even relent to one more try at a church and have an experience that is mediocre at best. But I believe that if they will choose to try it again, with people who really seek to live by the Bible and be like Jesus, they'll find that they love it and will want to come back frequently. They'll be so thankful that they gave it another go.
The thing is, Christians, we've got to be people that do actually seek to live by the Bible and be like Jesus! Give them something they'll want to taste. The Bible says "O taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) If our lives don't show a goodness worth tasting, then why would they want to know anything about it? If you believe the Lord is good, then share that goodness (LOVE) with others. Give them a taste of the goodness of the Lord. It is His kindness that leads mankind to repentance (Romans 2:4), and you are the messenger of that kindness to the world.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Some Thoughts on Homosexuality & the Love of God
I read a post today about people protesting Ellen's right to be a spokesperson for J.C. Penny. The only reason they were protesting is because she has chosen a lifestyle of homosexuality. As surprising as this may sound to people who know me, I think their protest is ridiculous and harmful to the cause of Christ.
I am against homosexuality 110%. I have seen it ruin people's lives. I have even personally felt the vile grip of the demonic spirit behind it. I am also against adultery. I've seen and felt it's evil sting too. I see no one protesting the use of straight but unfaithful entertainers. Why not? Because the Christian community has classified certain sins as worse than others. We classify people by their sins and how we would rank their sin on our self-righteous scale. But sin is sin. All of it exactly the same, all of it equally detestable to the Lord, and equally redeemable by the blood of Jesus. No one is their sin. They do sin or live a lifestyle of sin, but they are not sin. People are to be loved. God loves Ellen. God loves all homosexuals. God loves all murderers. God loves all adulterers. God loves all prideful, judgmental, religious gossipers. He does. With the same love. What we do or don't do isn't what affects God's love for us. Furthermore, as followers of Christ, what people do or don't do should not affect our love for people.
I'm not asking anyone to condone sin. Nor do I believe in trying to fund the gay community or supporting gay marriage or anything of that sort. I wouldn't do that anymore than I would support a Communist group, or a brothel. I am simply asking people to stop being so quick to stand against a person. Stand against sin. Stand against all of it equally. Stand for love. Stand for people.
And quit giving the world a bad taste of Jesus. He loves. We all have messed up and lived in ways that didn't please Him. There are no exceptions to that (Romans 3:23). But Jesus loved us in spite of that so much that He died to take the judgment and punishment for us. We deserved to die, but He didn't want any of us to get what we deserve. Even the ones who have believed a lie and bought into the homosexual lifestyle. Even the ones who refuse to believe He exists. Even the ones who misrepresent Him. Even the ones who have slaughtered others in His name. He died for all of us, and commanded us to love each other. And so we should.
And if you want to deal with the problems of homosexuality or any other sin in this world, PRAY. God can change people by His love and conviction. Your judgment and condemnation will only spread hate, but prayer will make a way for love to bring freedom and truth and light into those areas where sin exists.
I am against homosexuality 110%. I have seen it ruin people's lives. I have even personally felt the vile grip of the demonic spirit behind it. I am also against adultery. I've seen and felt it's evil sting too. I see no one protesting the use of straight but unfaithful entertainers. Why not? Because the Christian community has classified certain sins as worse than others. We classify people by their sins and how we would rank their sin on our self-righteous scale. But sin is sin. All of it exactly the same, all of it equally detestable to the Lord, and equally redeemable by the blood of Jesus. No one is their sin. They do sin or live a lifestyle of sin, but they are not sin. People are to be loved. God loves Ellen. God loves all homosexuals. God loves all murderers. God loves all adulterers. God loves all prideful, judgmental, religious gossipers. He does. With the same love. What we do or don't do isn't what affects God's love for us. Furthermore, as followers of Christ, what people do or don't do should not affect our love for people.
I'm not asking anyone to condone sin. Nor do I believe in trying to fund the gay community or supporting gay marriage or anything of that sort. I wouldn't do that anymore than I would support a Communist group, or a brothel. I am simply asking people to stop being so quick to stand against a person. Stand against sin. Stand against all of it equally. Stand for love. Stand for people.
And quit giving the world a bad taste of Jesus. He loves. We all have messed up and lived in ways that didn't please Him. There are no exceptions to that (Romans 3:23). But Jesus loved us in spite of that so much that He died to take the judgment and punishment for us. We deserved to die, but He didn't want any of us to get what we deserve. Even the ones who have believed a lie and bought into the homosexual lifestyle. Even the ones who refuse to believe He exists. Even the ones who misrepresent Him. Even the ones who have slaughtered others in His name. He died for all of us, and commanded us to love each other. And so we should.
And if you want to deal with the problems of homosexuality or any other sin in this world, PRAY. God can change people by His love and conviction. Your judgment and condemnation will only spread hate, but prayer will make a way for love to bring freedom and truth and light into those areas where sin exists.
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