I am not expert in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. I am not writing this because I think I am & I'm not writing this to convince you whether or not it's morally or biblically wrong to live that lifestyle. You're going to make your own decision-you probably already have. I don't expect to change your mind.
This is for the people that profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and believe that his life, death and resurrection was necessary for our salvation. This is for the people that believe Jesus is the only way. This is for the christians that are condemning people to hell for their LGBT lifestyle. This is for the people that define people by their lifestyle.
I've spent the past couple of days at a conference for Social Services workers in the heart of downtown Austin. These past few days I've felt like the only person here that doesn't agree with the LGBT lifestyle. While it used to be the ones that professed this alternative lifestyle were bullied, now it seems as though anybody that disagrees with that lifestyle are the ones who are shunned.
So here I am, sitting in meeting after meeting where people are advocating for LGBT rights, and I haven't said one thing to disagree with the speaker. At all. Does that make me a coward? Shouldn't this Jesus loving girl that was raised in the Bible belt speak up in the name of traditional marriage? Nahh. Not here, and not now.
Why? Because a lot of these individuals speaking (not all) are also the ones that have been repeatedly mocking the Bible. A lot (not all) of these individuals have publically scoffed at the mention of the words "christian" and "Bible belt" and have led me to believe that they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So if my assumption that they don't know have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is correct, then
I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, OR TRANSGENDER.
It doesn't matter right now. It's not important. Christians, stop defining people by their sin. You can't expect somebody that doesn't share your faith and values to live up to the standards set by your faith and values.
I'm not saying that I support this lifestyle. I believe the Bible is clear on it's definition of marriage. I'm just saying that compared to the vitality of finding forgiveness from Christ at the foot of the cross, nothing else matters.
We spend so much time fighting and arguing with people that profess this lifestyle. We are judgemental, we shame them, and we loudly or quietly condemn them to hell.
Where is the love in that? Where is Jesus in that?
I don't have all the answers. I don't know how to advise a person that professes Jesus and is also LGBT. I have no idea.
But the end of the day, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
At the end of the day, people need Jesus.
Salvation is more important. People's souls are more important.
Love people where they are. Don't love them to "fix" them. Love them to Jesus. He changes lives. He is enough.
This is for the people that profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and believe that his life, death and resurrection was necessary for our salvation. This is for the people that believe Jesus is the only way. This is for the christians that are condemning people to hell for their LGBT lifestyle. This is for the people that define people by their lifestyle.
I've spent the past couple of days at a conference for Social Services workers in the heart of downtown Austin. These past few days I've felt like the only person here that doesn't agree with the LGBT lifestyle. While it used to be the ones that professed this alternative lifestyle were bullied, now it seems as though anybody that disagrees with that lifestyle are the ones who are shunned.
So here I am, sitting in meeting after meeting where people are advocating for LGBT rights, and I haven't said one thing to disagree with the speaker. At all. Does that make me a coward? Shouldn't this Jesus loving girl that was raised in the Bible belt speak up in the name of traditional marriage? Nahh. Not here, and not now.
Why? Because a lot of these individuals speaking (not all) are also the ones that have been repeatedly mocking the Bible. A lot (not all) of these individuals have publically scoffed at the mention of the words "christian" and "Bible belt" and have led me to believe that they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So if my assumption that they don't know have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is correct, then
I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, OR TRANSGENDER.
It doesn't matter right now. It's not important. Christians, stop defining people by their sin. You can't expect somebody that doesn't share your faith and values to live up to the standards set by your faith and values.
I'm not saying that I support this lifestyle. I believe the Bible is clear on it's definition of marriage. I'm just saying that compared to the vitality of finding forgiveness from Christ at the foot of the cross, nothing else matters.
We spend so much time fighting and arguing with people that profess this lifestyle. We are judgemental, we shame them, and we loudly or quietly condemn them to hell.
Where is the love in that? Where is Jesus in that?
I don't have all the answers. I don't know how to advise a person that professes Jesus and is also LGBT. I have no idea.
But the end of the day, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
At the end of the day, people need Jesus.
Salvation is more important. People's souls are more important.
Love people where they are. Don't love them to "fix" them. Love them to Jesus. He changes lives. He is enough.
"I believe the Bible is clear on it's definition of marriage"
ReplyDeleteSure, one man, many wives.
One man and his rape victim.
One can realize the limitations of some parts of the Bible, and also see the truth in other parts. I won't be back here, so any reply you say won't be read by me I'm afraid, but this "Clear on it's definition" is just a bit silly.
The bible depicts many covenants. However, not all covenants where holy or sanctified. So, agreed it's not clear, but what do you mean about limitations of some parts of the bible?
DeleteThe Bible mandates that men marry (or at least bed) their brothers' widows, but I don't see that aspect of "biblical marriage" catching on either. :)
DeleteJesus said, he was against sexual immortality. He also, wants people to eliminate sin in their own life and not pass judgement on others. Never did Jesus say he condemned the acts of living a GLBT lifestyle. He detestes sin not the people. Dislikes the act. Truely some sins are eternally deadlier then others, but it's not for yourself to judge others. People need to be meet with kindness and respect. Love and forgiveness. Brad Baxter.
ReplyDeleteFor more information look up 7 deadly sins. Homosexuality would fall in this category. However, dishonesty and judgement on others are mentioned more then sexual immortality or murder.
Delete