“God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:1-2
Every
person to walk the earth has rebelled against God, except Jesus. We all sin, in many ways, continuously
through life. Past and present (and
surely future) struggles for me are laziness, selfishness, lust, anger,
jealousy, impatience…and really I could go on for days. As Paul said in his letter 1 Timothy, “Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
As our
Creator and embodiment of all things good and perfect, God is the only one able
to accurately define what is right and wrong.
He provides an outline in the Bible, and those who love him are to
follow in humble submission, being made more like Christ through repentance and
faith in his Word. However, attempts to
turn from sin are not the means of salvation.
God does not extend forgiveness based on human effort and goodness. By his grace and mercy, Jesus absorbs the
punishment of death for all the wicked
sinners (ex: ME!) who place their faith in him.
What follows such faith is a desire to deny oneself and follow Christ,
living out the good works he has placed before us. It is not easy, but a lifelong journey. [John 14:15; Romans 3:23-24;
Luke 5:27-32, 9:23, 19:10; Ephesians 2:1-10]
It's difficult because we are
born with sinful desires, but our personal pleasures never trump the authority
and wisdom of the God of the Universe. Although
sin will be present in the lives of Christ-followers until he returns, we are
not to accept it, but rather wage war against sin. For this reason, I must currently address the sin of
homosexuality. I would dare say all of
us, at some point at least, will deal with sexual sins, and homosexuality is
just one among the list. As I see this
sin being not only accepted, but celebrated, even among Christians – I just
have to take a moment to say that this is not right. I do not say this out of superiority or hate,
but out of anguish that God’s word and will is being twisted or disregarded altogether. For those who accept Christ as Savior and
Lord of their life, and are attracted to the same sex, my hope is
not that you be sneered at or banished.
My hope is that you find encouragement and accountability in the church,
as I have found for the struggles of my own sinful nature. If our church members begin congratulating us
for our sin, it’s time to leave and seek biblical discipleship elsewhere. [Romans 6:1-14; 2 Peter 2:1-3, Hebrews 12:1-6]
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
May we
all recognize the filth within, and turn to God for forgiveness and the
strength to resist temptation. May we
never be ashamed of the gospel, and the counter-cultural implications of Scripture. Love God for who he is and what he’s
done, not judging him or editing his commands.
Love others as Christ loves us, sacrificially and boldly extending truth
and help. The hope we have in Jesus
triumphs over every sin and trial! God
does not call for self-loathing or indulgence, but repentance and faith. He knows and loves us more intimately than
any person on earth. I encourage nonbelievers to consider Christ, and believers, including myself, to follow him whole-heartedly!
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