I love this by Mac Brunson:
What would Jesus do?”
So many times when a societal issue arises that may have Biblical connotations, some look to resolve it by asking this common question.
These examiners then lecture others as to exactly what Jesus would do.
And if anyone disagrees with their position, which, of course, is Jesus’ position, then these dissenters are simply intolerant, modern-day Pharisees.
Yet it is entirely possible to disagree with someone and not be Pharisaical but love them in spite of their sin.
Jesus did and so should we.
While Jesus “hung out” with “sinners,” He did not embrace their lifestyle.
When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus lovingly protected her and refused to condemn her.
But He told her, “Go and sin no more” — never covering up or condoning her lifestyle.
...
Jesus summarized God’s law in two primary commandments: Love the Lord your God with all heart, with all your soul and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.
To say that this means we must approve a lifestyle that Scripture clearly teaches is outside God’s will is not an interpretational skip, but a hermeneutical leap off a biblical Grand Canyon.
The question remains: What would Jesus do with the issue of homosexuality? Scripture reveals He would hold to the word of God while loving the person. Jesus never twisted, distorted or muddied the Word.
He lifted up the high standard of God, which reveals that we are all sinners. At the same time, He focused the light of Scripture on sin and He called for all to repent. This is our model and example.
No vote by any legislative body, no law or ordinance will change hearts, minds, attitudes, dispositions or sin. That is exclusively and uniquely a work of God on the human heart.Scripture is clear and so was Jesus.
As opposed to the ever un-Biblical and too often heretical Rob Bell in his appearance at the Viper Room in West Hollywood:
QUESTION: You’re here in West Hollywood, and at the center of the gay community in Southern California. A lot of the words that Christians have for us have been very negative. What do you think about that?
ROB BELL: Thank you for asking that. We’re here in West Hollywood, the epicenter of a lot of gay culture. Some people are gay, and you’re our brothers, and you’re our sisters, and we love you. We love you. And it’s really, really, really important that we’re clear. I had a good friend when I was in my teens that was gay, and hadn’t told anybody. I was the first person he told… and, probably the most loving, generous, wholly… one of the most… he was extraordinary… is extraordinary. But like at an early age, I was like, some people are gay, and God loves them just like he loves me. And they’re passionate disciples of Jesus just like I’m trying to be… so let’s all get together and try to do something about the truly big problems in our world that I believe Jesus would have us band together and tackle together.
HT: TR
3 comments:
I love the example of Jesus with the woman caught in adultery, because I think it's a fantastic expression of how we ought to deal with sexual sin. He refused to condemn her publicly, and only when they were the only two left, he privately spoke with her and said "go and sin no more". I'd contrast that with the way that the majority of Christians have dealt with LGBTQ issues which has been to instead condemn publicly, and rarely actually speak with in a loving (or indeed any) way at a one-to-one personal level.
I agree with your point on the the model Jesus gave ... but we have different experiences regarding the "majority of Christians." Mine experience is mostly Christian to Christian but exploited by those looking to hate the Church. Or it is brought on by the lgbtq person/supporter publicly shouting their sin is ok and should be recognized/accepted. So to me Christians I know are dealing in those two arenas, not condemn publicly those ensnared in sin. And that dynamic is not limited to this issue. Routinely Christians end up on the ugly side of an argument only because they are addressing public outbursts of sin ... not because they were trying to publicly beat down some sinner. The women at the well wasn't advertising her sin or seeking to get others to say it was ok. So it's a tough one ...
Rob, Rob, Rob. Someone gotta smack some sense into that boy.
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