I recently, after hearing many glowing recommendations for it, started reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. And in reading it I discovered a quote that, to me, seems to sum up humanity quite well.
“If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry.
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
The events in Orlando, and the subsequent reactions to those events, show just how true this is.
The United States of America was built on many principles and ideas. It was built on not just the idea that people can be different, but that they should be. That there is beauty in uniqueness.
And yet, the victims of the shooting in Orlando were targeted, largely, because they were different. Because they were gay.
The Bible does not tell us not to judge. But it does say the standard we use to judge others is the same standard we will also be judged by. (Matthew 7)
Do we want to be judged by the standard of death or the standard of grace?
Shouldn’t we also be people of grace when we judge others? We can judge the actions and choices of others without condemnation and without enacting punishments of our own choosing.
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:1-4 NLT
Let God take care of the judging. We may instruct and correct still, and in fact we should, but with kindness, tolerance, and patience, not hate and anger.
For what we have been given we should also give.
I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle. I think it is sinful. But I also do not agree with a life filled with pornography. Or with lies. Or gossip. Or cruel words.
Sin is sin, all worthy of death.
Yet death is not what we have been given.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24 NLT
What has been done for us has also been done for others. For all others. Let us not forget.
Instead, let us love as we have been loved.
Jesus said it best.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT
Let us show the world we are truly disciples of Jesus, in deed as well as in word.
