Loving past the sin
I was currently reminded about how many of us have been touched at some point and time in our lives by the spirit of adultery (spirit of lust). It might have been in our own relationships or those of others that we hold dear. Either way, adultery is unfortunately not uncommon in this day and age, neither was it a stranger to the past.
One thing that has also been consistent from the past to this day is how judgmental the church can be. Instead of us reaching out to our fallen brothers and sisters, it seems we take pleasure in highlighting their flaws…not only do we take pleasure in highlighting their flaws but we want to diagnose them and then add to what was already revealed. Before we even get the facts (truth) we have already nailed the person to the cross, identified their weaknesses and why it was inevitable that they would fail. Why is it that the one commandment that God emphasizes all through the bible is the one that Christians have the biggest problem fulfilling…LOVE!!! Why can’t we just LOVE??? We wonder why the world does not think highly of us…well hmmmm…let’s see. Not only do we criticize, judge, condemn and nail others to the cross, but we are much harsher on our own Christian brothers and sisters. So many fall away from the church and therefore God because they look at how they are being treated and figure out that they don’t want to be a part of a God that is reflected in the judgmental attitude of the people.
I saw a rally on television last week in response to the proposition 8 battle, and the thing that hurt me the most was someone holding up a picket sign that said “Gays hate God”!!! If that doesn’t bother you, then you need to examine your heart. It shouldn’t bother you because they say they hate God….God doesn’t need you to defend Him. It should bother you, that we should be drawing others to Christ and instead we are pushing them further away by what we demonstrate. We can be opposed to someone’s lifestyle but that doesn’t mean that we should be opposed to the people. God doesn’t hate anyone and He doesn’t hate gay people. People are people. What He hates is the sin…the lifestyle. People fall into all kinds of situations, behaviors and lifestyles because of the voids that are in their lives. They fill them with things, people, addictions, etc. People need to know that their is someone that can love them past their sin. Why is it that Jesus could attract all sorts when He walked the earth and we as Christians only attract other Christians. That could pose a serious problem if we are to evangelize the whole world before Jesus can come back. It is so easy to point fingers and say, well I don’t know how God could love that person because look at what he or she did!!! That person doesn’t deserve forgiveness because look at what they did!! Whatever perspective we take on an issue, should be God’s perspective. How does God view the situation? Let’s see what the bible says…
(Galatians 6:1-10 The Message) Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. if you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others-ignoring God!-harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of ALL, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
