With respect to the Church, those in support of same-sex marriage often accuse those who are against it as bigots, haters, intolerant and exclusive. While those who oppose same-sex marriage will accuse those in favor of it as false teachers, divisive and worldly. The firing of accusations back and forth reminds me of combat tactics of opposing forces standing in formation on opposite ends of an open field. The guns and cannons would be locked and loaded then raised and fired at the command of the officer. Each side would seemingly take turns exchanging fire while those in the front-lines of battle would fall to their death. I can't help but wonder how many wounded souls have come about from this battlefield of redefining marriage in our culture today.
While I cannot speak on behalf of the side in favor of gay-marriage, I am more than willing to present my view in hopes to squelch the accusations that many, who are opposed to gay-marriage in the Church, are guilty of bigotry, hatred, intolerance and exclusivity as their accusers insist.
First let me start by saying, I believe God indeed "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). I believe "God is love" as the beloved apostle describes in 1 John 4:8 and that "those who do not love do not know God." Therefore it is the duty of all who belong to God to love others, regardless of their color, their race or creed. We are called by Christ to love not just those who love us, but even our enemies. Jesus lead by example in this great virtue - to the effect that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Our greatest mark of belonging to God is found in the witness of our love.
But what is love? What does it look like? Is love an emotion? Is it an action? Does it give without limits? Does it accept all things? To answer these questions I think its fair for us to consider what Paul had to say about love in his letter to the Corinthians:
"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, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Cor 13:4-8a)
Indeed, love is an incredible gift that breathes life into the souls of others! Love is an emotion, but the kind of love that comes from God isn't fickle and fleeting in the face of trouble. It isn't disrespectful or arrogant, and it does not dishonor others. It is a virtue which aspires to the good of all things because God is love and God is good.
But notice what Paul says in verse 6 - "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." Love has terms - it has limits on what it is willing to accept because love cannot aspire to the good of all things if not all things are good. A woman who loves her man, according to God's definition of it, will continue to show him support and encouragement even if he has developed an addictive problem with alcohol. Her love for him does not mean she loves what he does. Rather, her love for him is demonstrated by her opposition to the substance and behavior that is trying to destroy him. She watches over him, she sets boundaries for him, she gathers resources and accountability for him; she's willing to sacrifice her time, money, energy and in some cases her own reputation for the sake of saving her man from an intruder that is trying to divide and destroy them.
This is the mindset of those who oppose the open practice of homosexuality in the Church today - or any sin for that matter. The love that is given as a command to God's children is demonstrated by their opposition of the practice of what the Bible defines as sin. Why? Because such behavior is destructive to the soul, to the Church and to the cause of Christ (the Gospel). The same beloved apostle who told us that "anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love," is the same apostle who also wrote (in the same letter) that anyone who is born of God does not maintain a lifestyle of sin (1 John 5:8).
Just as the man who struggles with his addiction to alcohol needs to find sobriety in order for his relationship with his wife to be restored, so do those who struggle with a behavior that God considers sin according to His Word. God loves us. And God's children are called to love others just as He demonstrated for us. Love does not advocate for behavior that destroys, rather it stands resolute against it with arms wide open, inviting sinners to find freedom from their sins through repentance.
Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Peter tells us, "It is not God's will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). Sin is a terrible thing. It has separated us from God ever since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). And it was because of sin that our world was cursed with tragedy and a desperate need for salvation.
In the final moments before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49). Repentance is an essential part of the work of salvation, without it there can be no forgiveness of sins; God's children were told to proclaim this to the world.
In conclusion, the many who believe they are right in accusing those who oppose the practice of homosexuality in the Church, are not justified in their accusation of being bigoted and haters, intolerant and exclusive. According to the terms I've just highlighted in the Scriptures, I believe those who oppose homosexuality are only demonstrating love as it is rightly defined by the Word of God; loving sinners with the truth that might set them free. It is my sincere hope that those who are quick to judge those who oppose homosexuality in the Church as bigots and haters, would consider the reasons that this is simply not true. God's children have all been called to repentance from sin, and to put their faith in the Word and Will of God as He prescribed. Loving sinners with the truth is the only kind of love that brings about true liberty, lasting peace and the unity of the Spirit.
While I cannot speak on behalf of the side in favor of gay-marriage, I am more than willing to present my view in hopes to squelch the accusations that many, who are opposed to gay-marriage in the Church, are guilty of bigotry, hatred, intolerance and exclusivity as their accusers insist.
First let me start by saying, I believe God indeed "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). I believe "God is love" as the beloved apostle describes in 1 John 4:8 and that "those who do not love do not know God." Therefore it is the duty of all who belong to God to love others, regardless of their color, their race or creed. We are called by Christ to love not just those who love us, but even our enemies. Jesus lead by example in this great virtue - to the effect that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Our greatest mark of belonging to God is found in the witness of our love.
But what is love? What does it look like? Is love an emotion? Is it an action? Does it give without limits? Does it accept all things? To answer these questions I think its fair for us to consider what Paul had to say about love in his letter to the Corinthians:
"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, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Cor 13:4-8a)
Indeed, love is an incredible gift that breathes life into the souls of others! Love is an emotion, but the kind of love that comes from God isn't fickle and fleeting in the face of trouble. It isn't disrespectful or arrogant, and it does not dishonor others. It is a virtue which aspires to the good of all things because God is love and God is good.
But notice what Paul says in verse 6 - "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." Love has terms - it has limits on what it is willing to accept because love cannot aspire to the good of all things if not all things are good. A woman who loves her man, according to God's definition of it, will continue to show him support and encouragement even if he has developed an addictive problem with alcohol. Her love for him does not mean she loves what he does. Rather, her love for him is demonstrated by her opposition to the substance and behavior that is trying to destroy him. She watches over him, she sets boundaries for him, she gathers resources and accountability for him; she's willing to sacrifice her time, money, energy and in some cases her own reputation for the sake of saving her man from an intruder that is trying to divide and destroy them.
This is the mindset of those who oppose the open practice of homosexuality in the Church today - or any sin for that matter. The love that is given as a command to God's children is demonstrated by their opposition of the practice of what the Bible defines as sin. Why? Because such behavior is destructive to the soul, to the Church and to the cause of Christ (the Gospel). The same beloved apostle who told us that "anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love," is the same apostle who also wrote (in the same letter) that anyone who is born of God does not maintain a lifestyle of sin (1 John 5:8).
Just as the man who struggles with his addiction to alcohol needs to find sobriety in order for his relationship with his wife to be restored, so do those who struggle with a behavior that God considers sin according to His Word. God loves us. And God's children are called to love others just as He demonstrated for us. Love does not advocate for behavior that destroys, rather it stands resolute against it with arms wide open, inviting sinners to find freedom from their sins through repentance.
Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Peter tells us, "It is not God's will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). Sin is a terrible thing. It has separated us from God ever since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). And it was because of sin that our world was cursed with tragedy and a desperate need for salvation.
In the final moments before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49). Repentance is an essential part of the work of salvation, without it there can be no forgiveness of sins; God's children were told to proclaim this to the world.
In conclusion, the many who believe they are right in accusing those who oppose the practice of homosexuality in the Church, are not justified in their accusation of being bigoted and haters, intolerant and exclusive. According to the terms I've just highlighted in the Scriptures, I believe those who oppose homosexuality are only demonstrating love as it is rightly defined by the Word of God; loving sinners with the truth that might set them free. It is my sincere hope that those who are quick to judge those who oppose homosexuality in the Church as bigots and haters, would consider the reasons that this is simply not true. God's children have all been called to repentance from sin, and to put their faith in the Word and Will of God as He prescribed. Loving sinners with the truth is the only kind of love that brings about true liberty, lasting peace and the unity of the Spirit.
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