It is no longer "in the closet." Our culture has given the green light to those who have gender confusion issues, and they are free to do as they see fit. Since we are likely to meet people who identify as LGBTQ, we need to consider what the Bible requires of us. How do we as Christians relate to a person who has this kind of lifestyle? Here are a few principles that can serve to guide us in this regard. 1. Take a holistic approach – We should never reduce a person to their sexuality alone. Neither should we limit our interactions with them merely on the basis of this one dimension of their life. We must treat them as people, recognizing that he or she still bears the image of God. We should be willing to get to know them and engage in meaningful friendships with them. Jesus certainly did the same as the one who was “the friend of tax collectors and prostitutes.” 2. Don’t reject them or disavow any type of relationship – In 1 Corinthians 5:9 Paul says that is permissible to associate with people outside the church who are immoral (at least so long as we are not corrupted by their lifestyle). If we weren’t permitted such liberty, Paul says we’d have to leave this world! To be sure, people outside the church should be expected to live ungodly lives. Our job is to reach out to them and be genuinely interested in them. 3. Never compromise – We may love someone who identifies as LGBTQ and we can seek to be a good friend, but we do not accept or tolerate patterns of sin in their life. If a friend would use crude language, we wouldn’t ignore it or act like it doesn’t matter. We’d politely request that they not speak in such a manner. We should do the same with a LGBTQ friend whenever issues of their sexuality come up. We can express in the kindest of terms that such urges, interests, and acts are not in accord with God’s will. All in all, being a friend doesn’t mean wholesale acceptance of their lifestyle. 4. Listen and talk candidly when the opportunity affords – Some LGBTQ people like to let their sexuality be known and are very direct about their sexual deviance. Others may be more “in the closet” and wish to have someone to confide in about their struggles in this area. If that should be the case, welcome the opportunity to chat. Take time to listen to what they have to say and demonstrate interest in them as a person. If they are open to it, share with them what the Scripture teaches and be just as candid about God’s design for human sexuality. Whatever you do, don’t merely react or lash out at them in anger. 5. Take the long view -- Caring patience is key. Rosaria Butterfield, a former lesbian activist, said that a person who is a homosexual probably didn’t get there overnight. It likely came after a long time of real thought. The best thing you can do is to be part of the long thought process that leads them back, should God grant it. This is where those who lash out in anger or press for a quick “decision for the Lord” get it wrong. We must have a mind to take the long road of discipleship
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Jerry Bridges, in his book Transforming Grace, says that if your concept of grace does not expose you to the possible misunderstanding of gaining a license to sin by it, you probably do not understand grace the way you should.
He then cites Martyn Lloyd-Jones who says, "There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this: that some people might misunderstand it it to mean that...you can go on sinning as much as you like. When we truly understand that God accepts us despite anything we have done or will do, people may very well raise an eyebrow. The gospel is just too good. The extent of grace is so radically foreign to us that we cannot adequately understand it without thinking that it means there is an open door to sin. Ashland courts seem to have left us with more questions than answers in the trial of Kimberly Syracuse. Reports have come out that the original charges of sexual battery have been chucked for a misdemeanor plea of failing to report a crime (i.e. assault).
This leaves us with the question of what exactly happened? There is no decision of guilty or not of what seems to be gross crimes. If anything, it seems to suggest that there is at least some culpability. But as it stands, the thing has been gagged. But the decision has greater ramifications than satisfying our curiosity. Syracuse could be allowed to enter a classroom again. It would seem that the courts have failed to pursue the best interest of students, their families, and any other community she may enter to possibly seek a teaching job. My my point has nothing to with Syracuse herself. If she is not guilty, so be it. We praise God and move on. The arena of focus is what seems to be misconduct in the court process. The bottom line is that we will never know what the verdict is. We are left wondering, "Did a sex offender just get off scot free? What goes on in those schools?" I have been reading Gary North's commentary on the book of Exodus, "Tools for Dominion." It has been an excellent study of the case laws that Moses handed down from God. North's exposition is truly a blessing for those who wish to understand how society ought to be best ordered. This morning's reading was on Ex. 21:18-19 and what it says about private conflict (i.e. if two men strive together and one is injured, but does not die). North expresses that fighting and duels are strictly forbidden by God. He then makes the point that the "winner" of such contests should be the economic loser in that he must now pay restitution to the one who has been injured. In his discussion North makes the following comment, which is noteworthy given the continual stream of rioting that seems to be occurring in our nation today. Peace is therefore a sign of God's blessing and also a means of attaining other blessings, such as economic growth. Men who strive together in private battle testify to their own lack of self-discipline, and a godly legal order must provide sanctions against such disturbances of public order. I also appreciated how North applied this passage to modern forms of dueling, such as boxing and (had it been prominent when he wrote) mixed marshal arts. The Bible expressly forbids brutality towards your neighbor and these "sports" are purposefully intended for such things. The sole object is to so pummel your opponent that he cannot muster the strength or mental wherewithal to rise to his feet.
I've always said that one cannot at the same time punch someone in the face and demonstrate the love of Jesus. The command to "do unto others as you would have done unto you" speaks directly against such "fun" and entertainments. The boxer or MMA fighter may say, "I get punched in the face; it's part of the game." But if you press him/her, they will have to admit that they much prefer to not receive a blow to the noggin. Note what is mentioned in that last line though: him/her. It is truly a mark of where our society is that we have women now in the ring battling it out. Such used to be termed "cat fights" and considered a horribly un-lady-like act. But now we encourage our girls to clobber each other and will even pay to see it. To be sure, grappling with one another in fun is not wrong. And training in violent measures is necessary for those who will engage in war--or perhaps defend themselves/their homes. But when our aim is to injure a person for fun, we have cross a serious biblical line. Last night a candlelight vigil was held here in Ashland in response to the rioting in Charlottesville.
I continue to find our modern forms of worship intriguing. Candle lighting is a great sacrament of the postmodern/existential philosophy. It adds that romantic & sentimental feel to a gathering that adds to the gush of the momentary "religious experience." Whatever may be the motive for using candles, I appreciate the fact that there were a number of people in Ashland interested in standing against violence. That there were people bold enough to join together to declare their belief in the value of human life and express that it is important to protect and defend the innocent is highly commendable. For this reason I am have every hope that those who arranged the vigil and the participants will give their hearty support to the local pregnancy center and do everything they can to appear at their life rallies. If the violence committed in Charllottesville is thought to be so vile, surely they will be even more dutiful in their outcry against the manifold atrocities perpetrated against the unborn in our area/nation. The most egregious sin in the Bible is not homosexuality, adultery, greed, or failure to serve on a church committee. It is idolatry. We evangelicals like to think that are much more sanctified than the Israelites of old-- who seemed to thrown themselves down before every stone statue that came their way. But the truth is: evangelicals are just as idol prone as our forefathers were. The following are a few prevalent forms of idolatry that may be found in the church today: 1. Evan-jelly-fish: A faith that has no spine is no faith at all. If you're not willing to stand up for biblical doctrine, acknowledge Christ's supremacy, or affirm the authority of His law, then you're bowing to the god of toleration and moderation. Such a faith has been so overrun by postmodernism that it is Christian in name only. 2. Christi-tainment: Neil Postman's classic book "Entertaining Ourselves to Death" continues to be prophetic in our day, especially in our churches. Worship that is driven by fun, amusements, and showmanship plagues the evangelical world. Choosing a church on the basis of its music or youth group events, rather than its focus on Christ & His word, is much like making an offering on an alter of entertainment. 3. Superstition: Symbols have their place. A cross necklace can be something that proclaims who you are. A sticker on your car can identify where you stand in your beliefs. But such things can also become objects of worship. When we impute divine power to them, depend more on a trinket than we do prayer, or trust it as "God's channel of help" we've essentially created a golden calf. 4. Cult of Personality: Protestantism has always eschewed popery --kissing rings, thinking he is the head of the church, etc. Unfortunately, it is still alive an well in Prot circles in the form of celebrity pastors. While honoring good teachers is good, infatuations can be overboard. Leader worship breeds discontent with "ordinary," everyday clergy and "groupies" can follow certain charismatic fellows more than they do Christ. 5. Biblical Mutts: Christians must biblical thoroughbreds. If you mix breeds by mingling beliefs from other faiths or philosophies, you're rejecting the God of Scripture and forming a new religion. It is idolatrous to claim to be a Christian and believe in abortion, homosexuality, Marxism, Buddhist meditation, alternative means of salvation, etc. The Israelites' idolatry was rarely ever a complete rejection of the Lord. They typically provoked the Lord by blending their faith with the pagan customs of the surrounding nations. Ashland County will be asking its residents to continue supporting convicted criminals this August. The county jail is hoping to renew a levy it passed in 1996.
The original levy was intended to generate funds for building a new jail. It is funny that the tax is not now being reduced, some 20 years later. Supposedly, the jail would be paid off (thus reducing the need for funding). But those in charge are saying a renewal is needed for continuing maintenance costs. If that isn't fishy enough, the thought of making innocent people pay to house and feed criminals ought to put you over the top. Why should I have money taken to support someone who has evidently committed a crime? Jails and prisons are rarely, if ever, the answer to civil crime. As a friend of mine said, "When I was younger, we got spanked. We rarely got a time out. Jail time seems like an extended time out for adults." My friend is exactly right. What positive effect does sitting in a cage do for someone who has convicted, (or for the victim or rest of society for that matter). If wrong has done, the Biblical method of justice requires restitution. The criminals should be the one's paying up, not the innocent. |
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