I’m usually one to keep my opinion about controversial topics to myself unless I’m specifically asked, but God keeps putting this blog on my heart so I’m going to share my thoughts.
Jesus has called us to love one another, and love one another well. God doesn’t need me to defend the Bible or tell people what they are doing wrong. His Word speaks for itself and through the lives of followers who truly strive to live like Jesus did. I will stand firm in my beliefs, but I will always do my best to lead with love.
:: For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ :: Galatians 5:14
:: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. :: Galatians 5:6
:: The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commands there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. :: Romans 13:9-10
Although I have been in South Africa the past month, the echo of the U.S. passing the law allowing gay marriage was heard all the way down here.
This breaks my heart for two reasons. The first is because it breaks Gods’ heart. I believe that it is wrong and not how God intended marriage to be. The second (and main reason to write this blog) is because of all the hate and judgement that is dished out to homosexuals on a daily basis. Although I do not agree with this law, I can’t help but feel sorry for those who will take advantage of it. Most likely they will be judged more, harassed more, and possibly even hated more openly now that this law was passed.
It breaks my heart to admit that sometimes we as “Christians” are the worst offenders at spewing hate at homosexuals because of our disapproving views of this topic. (Even if those nasty words don’t come out of our mouths, God still knows every thought in our mind and heart!) Sometimes we try to justify our mean words by saying the Bible says it’s wrong. This is true, the Bible does say that. But it also says a lot of other things are wrong in there that each of us probably commits on a daily basis, and yet we don’t dwell as much on other issues. Sometimes we try to defend the Bible when we are actually being hypocrites because we forget that Jesus says countless times to love our neighbors. The Bible doesn’t say, “but if that neighbor happens to be homosexual, you can be mean to them.”
:: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. :: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
:: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. :: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Aren’t we all called to love like Jesus did? Doesn’t that include loving and respecting people we don’t agree with? Doesn’t that include extending grace to others for their sin since we have just as much sin in our own lives? None of us have the right to throw the first stone because not one person on this earth is perfect. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, not to judge them.
:: So when you, as mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgement? :: Romans 2:3
:: You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. :: Romans 14:10
:: There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbor? :: James 4:12
I’m striving to live a life that reflects Jesus in every situation and to lead with love. I hope that the next person who comes across my path that disagrees with my beliefs for any reason can honestly say this to me :
:: And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. :: 1 Corinthians 13:13
This blog isn’t only about loving the people who have different views than us. The command from Jesus is to love well. To love everyone… no matter who they are, what kind of background they come from, no matter how much they stink, no matter how mean they are, what they do, how much they annoy me, etc… God calls each of us to love. I’m preaching to myself here and this next month I KNOW God will be stretching me in loving my team and those around me better because I can’t do it on my own.
I’m ready to rock! Let’s do this! 🙂
love,
heather
