What we need is another Christian blog
post about homosexuality. Said no one, at all, in the last few days.
Instead, as Facebook feeds slowly fill up with rainbow themed decor,
what we have heard again and again is, “If you don't want their
beliefs forced on you, don't force yours on them.” We've heard it
from the Pride and the homophobic community alike. The fact is, this
'freedom' that Christians have been celebrating, thanking God for and
taking for granted for years has finally come back to bite them. And
we are left in a world where, as a rule, everyone has settled on an
opinion and doesn't want to hear yours. And while rainbows are flying
higher than ever, Christians are responding with innumerable posts
stating that 'we can love you but still disagree,' which will
continue to be misunderstood, but needs to keep being repeated.
In truth, 99% of people on both sides
just want peace. In fact that's what most of the hashtags #lovewins
on Twitter are about – from those both for and against legal gay
marriage. You have freedom, they have freedom, and everyone values
that freedom. We get it.
So what exactly are Christians doing in
this quickly developing culture? For the most part, awkwardly trying
to remind people that they value traditional marriage, because they
feel overwhelmed by a rainbow coloured Facebook newsfeed, and feel
the need to raise their own banner and remind the world we are still
here.
The world is already clear on what the church believes about traditional marriage. What they're still missing is what we believe about Christ. |
But, for the record, I haven't seen any
pictures recently of a famous preacher's face bearing a quote about
honesty. Or about covetousness. In fact, even with the rise of
#lovewins I haven't seen anyone talking about the great sin of hate.
Nope. Just homosexuality. Despite the fact that the Bible takes a
stance on a multitude of common issues, we don't proudly wave our
flags on every issue. Why? Because our actions have always
said more than our anti-sin declarations. The apostles were accused
of turning the world for publicly declaring that Jesus was the
Christ, not not for taking firm and public stances on sin (Acts
17:1-8). So do we remain silent on the issue of marriage? No. But we
make holiness, and not clarity of opinion our priority.
The church is headed into a new and
bigger battlefield than ever before. The early church faced
generations of martyrdom, the Reformation era saw political and
social rejection, but our era will be remembered for a different
fight. I believe we will be remembered for our sexual purity. I think
the church is entering a new age where a pastor having an affair will
no longer be a 'scandal,' it will be a permanent stain on the
ministry. I think the church's purity, and not her opinions, will be
what is mocked and paraded in the streets.
In
the last few weeks, we received the resignation of a very famous
conservative preacher in the States because of 'an inappropriate
relationship.' I a convinced that if this becomes a common occurrence
it will be the new 'Crusades' – the foolishness of men paraded for
generations as the foolishness of Christ.
Be
careful, Christian. For we are being judged by our conduct. Because
guess what? The world already knows the church's stance on
homosexuality. You don't need to put up another post. But what you do
need to do is very seriously consider the following verses for
yourself. Not for anyone outside the church (for this was written
specifically to a church), but consider this for yourself.:
“And
walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all
impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is
proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor
crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be
thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is
sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an
idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
(Eph 5:2-5)
Now,
more than ever, our sexual purity matters. It will rise to be the
icon of this generation. Before you worry about reminding the world
of your marriage stance, let your conduct reflect Christ. Let purity
be our defining mark, and may it blaze as a bright witness.
Jealousy is just a sign that you really love the person. ~ Jealousy Quotes
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