Hi all,
Even though this web site is always strongly Anti-Christian -- this time they have stubbed their toe. While trying to paint Haggard in a bad light -- they have shown God working through him.
Yes, Haggard has a problem with homosexuality. However, being homosexual is not a sin; living an active homosexual lifestyle is what goes against Biblical teaching. We all are sinners. Homosexuality is only one of the sins. But, when we turn for our sins and turn to follow Christ; we are forgiven. And, from all outward appearances -- that is what Ted Haggard has done.
And, to his credit, Ted Haggard is reaching out to people with the same problem which disrupted his life.
As B50 so well quoted from the article: “St. James is a church for sinners – for people who have hit rock bottom and people who want to help people who have hit rock bottom,” said Haggard, according to The Denver Post. “It is not a gathering for the righteous, except those who are righteous by faith.”
When any church gets so righteous that it cannot open its arms to those mired in sin -- then, it ceases to be a Godly church. We cannot help those in the homosexual lifestyle by turning our backs on them. However, we also cannot help them by blessing their unBiblical lifestyle. So, any Christian church should and must welcome homosexuals -- but, we can only accept and teach the Traditional Biblical Marriage.
And, I will say this -- if people are living in an active homosexual lifestyle -- and, at some point after being welcomed into a Christian church -- continues to refuse to leave that homosexual lifestyle; we must do as we are taught in Matthew 18:15-17. We must confront them about their unBiblical lifestyle; we must ask them to leave that lifestyle and embrace the lifestyle honored by Jesus Christ -- and, if they will not, we must ask them to leave the church.
No, this is not something I would advocate doing right away. I would welcome this Friend, I would encourage him/her to get involved in our Bible studies and in our Sunday School classes to gain more knowledge of God's Word. I would encourage him/her to fellowship with me and with others in our church fellowship family. In other words, I would do everything possible to make this person feel welcomed, loved, and a part of our church fellowship family.
But, let's say, six months, a year later -- and they are still living in an active homosexual lifestyle, still frequenting homosexual clubs and such -- then, I would know that their agenda was not to conform to God's ways -- but, to conform God's teachings to their worldly lifestyle. At that point, I would suggest they find another way to spend their Sunday mornings -- for they are certainly not gaining anything from joining us in worshiping God.
Just my thoughts. And, God bless Ted Haggard for what he is doing to share the Word of God among those in need.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
