Let me first begin by saying that I love and appreciate the zeal you all have to contend for our faith.
But…
My heart is SO heavy tonight as I scroll through my news feed on Facebook. I've been angry, sad, shocked and confused. I've had to ask for God's forgiveness as I have thought badly about some of my friends due to their postings about the gay marriage debate. So I write this from a clear perspective of love towards my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I refuse to lie about the fact that some people's stance surprised me, but what I'm troubled by is not so much the stance people are taking as I am the way my fellow believers are stating it. I see so much hate, disgust, and evil! I want to make my stance very clear: I am not pro-gay marriage. I have people in my life who I am VERY close to who are. I would never want to disrespect someone because of an opinion. Jesus Christ died for ALL. Jesus Christ loves EVERYONE. Yes, including those who are for gay marriage. Yes, including those who are pro-abortion. Yes, including the murderers. Yes, including the rapists. Yes, including those who engage in pre-marital sex. Yes, including those who lie. Sin is sin. None is greater than any other.
Please hear my encouragement: you do not have to AGREE with someone to LOVE and RESPECT them. We are to follow Jesus' example. He did not stick his nose in the air at anyone. I'm so thankful Jesus did not stick His nose in the air at me when He saw MY SIN. My sin was enough to send me to hell. Praise GOD we do not serve a God who holds onto our past, present, or future sin for those who are in Christ!
Believers: The Bible and I URGE you to choose your words carefully. It breaks my, and God's, heart to see and read nasty comments towards others. Let us be more concerned with showing the love of Christ than being right or wrong. Let us be more concerned about God receiving glory for the way we act and respond than our pride. Let us conduct ourselves in a manner WORTHY of the gospel.
Put down your torches and pitch forks.
"What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and love like You [Jesus] did?"
