Hi to my Forum Friends,
In the Christianity Today article titled "If the Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, What Next? How Churches And Pastors Should Respond" (http://www.christianitytoday.c...-marriage-trend.html) -- I read:
"Sometime later, a young woman whom I had not seen for several years came to visit. She entered nervously, and eventually told me she had 'come out' as a lesbian. Our conversation continued in a friendly vein, and I asked how her spiritual life was faring. She began to weep. It was the first time, she said, that one of her Christian friends had treated her as though she, a practicing lesbian, could continue to have a relationship with God."
I agree 100%, -- no, make that 1000% -- that Christians and Christian churches should, and must, welcome all people with open arms and with the love of Christ. But, let's examine more closely that quote from the Christianity Today article.
Does a "practicing lesbian" have a saving relationship with God? Can a person who is living an active lifestyle which is an abomination to God -- have a relationship with God? Isn't that much like telling our spouse, "I will continue to live an active life of adultery; but, I don't want that to affect our marriage relationship." Does that person really have a true marriage relationship with his spouse -- if he is continuing to live an active lifestyle of adultery? No, he is married in name only; but, he has no real relationship.
Last week, I was talking with a young man about the very recent death of a long time Christian brother. I was telling him that because he is a Christian, we will mourn for a time -- but, at the same time, we will celebrate his homegoing to be with the Lord. And, as I told my young friend, my Christian brother who just died is more alive today than ever during his lifetime. And, his family, who are also believers, can look forward to a glorious Family Reunion in heaven one day.
However, as I told my young friend, the hardest funeral for a pastor to officiate is that of a non-believer. For that pastor cannot tell the family that their loved one is in a better place, more alive today that ever before -- for, if the deceased was not a believer, that is not true.
And, to assure a person who is living an active homosexual or lesbian lifestyle -- that their relationship with Christ is secure -- is equally not true.
We have to love that person enough to be honest. Dr. Dobson calls this "tough love." We welcome that person with open, loving arms; for, we have to admit that we all are just "forgiven sinners." But, we cannot falsely assure the person, who is living an active sin lifestyle, that his/her relationship with God is secure.
To do that is to empower and support a lifestyle which God does not approve. Yes, Jesus went among the sinners -- yes, Jesus befriended, ate with, and spent a lot of time with sinners. But, Jesus NEVER, in any way, told them, or gave them any indication, that their lifestyle was okay and that it would not affect their relationship with Him. We have to be just as honest.
Paul tells Timothy, and us, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 -- that many will seek a false theology which will empower their chosen lifestyle, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."
Then, Paul continues, 2 Timothy 4:5, "But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Our ministry, as Christian believers, is not to empower people in a false, worldly lifestyle -- but, to love them enough to point them toward the only path which will lead to eternal life in Christ.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
