“Calling homosexuality a sin is homophobic,” proclaimed the college student, “and no true, loving God would promote hatred against someone based on how he or she created them.”
But, what “true, loving God” would “create” a person to be homosexual? What a cruel God that would be! Would He think it amusing that body parts don’t fit? Would He callously dunk biscotti in His coffee as He watched the health of men deteriorate and the hearts of women grow cold?
When people claim that homosexuals are “born that way,” I agree. We are — each one of us — born with sin in us. But, my choice is to embrace that sin or fight it; to do things that my body wasn’t made to do, or be on guard against harming myself and others; to be “lord and master” of my own life, or to trust that God knows best what I need and is good for me (as well as those affected by my choices).
The God of creation made Adam and Eve perfectly. She was a “helper fit for him.” (Literally: “like his opposite.”) Their “fit,” in the intimacy of marriage, would be complementary and procreative. The Creator said it was “good.” God would be contrary to Himself if He created such masterpieces and then set them on a course of abuse and destruction. No, it was not God that brought confusion, struggle, and pain into our lives. It is human sin — our own pride and disobedience — that makes this world a dark and troublesome place.
The God of reciprocal love did not force the first man and woman to be in a relationship with Him. He invited them to trust Him and choose life. The alternative was to trust themselves and choose death. When Satan tempted Eve with his question, “Did God really say . . . ?” she and Adam both failed to trust God… and sinned. Sin brought selfishness, deceit, abuse, difficult relationships, fear of children, weaknesses for all manner of harmful behavior (including unnatural sex), diseases, and death.
Can God tolerate sin and its consequences? No. But, the God who despises sin does not hate the person who sins. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God so could no longer stay in the perfect garden, but before entering a now changed and harsh world, God promised One who would win victory over satan, sin, and death.
The promise was kept. Jesus Christ came down into our dark and troublesome world. He knew that, left to ourselves, sinful people are alienated from the Holy God… and there’s nothing we can do about it. So, Jesus cried out,
Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:44-48).
Good Friday approaches. I am drawn to the Cross where my Savior showed compassion for sinners. Dare I cheapen His amazing grace or mock His victory over death by claiming that my sins matter not to the Holy God?
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Fanciful… but Dangerous
Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Commentaries of others, Culture Shifts, Faith & Practice, Identity, Life issues, Relationships, Vocation, tagged children, dialogue, faith, family, forgiveness, hope, hope and change, Jesus Christ, marriage, morality, opposing worldviews, science, truth, worldviews on April 6, 2011| 1 Comment »
Twice, “Not a Scientist” has commented on my post, “Questions to Help Us Think (4-4-11). My pastor and son have also joined in the discussion. This is a good thing. That’s part of the reason why I’ve put myself out here — in blog world. Some say, “Linda! You’re a target.” There is no fear in that. Not if I’m a target for well-thought out words that may — or may not — agree with my worldview. We should be doing more talking. Explaining. Researching. Challenging. We should practice building our lives upon what we think and know to be true rather than upon fickle feelings and emotions.
To “Not a Scientist” I offer the following:
You and I see the world through very different glasses. Our worldviews boldly contrast.
You have fanciful ideas, Mr. “Not a Scientist.” But, they are dangerous. When I expressed concern for the two young men now “joined” in “marriage,” I did so because I am positive they have souls. Souls that will live forever — with God or not. I am positive because God’s Word tells me so. If I’m wrong, there is no loss. If I’m right, and those created and precious souls are separated from God because of sinful choices, then there is huge loss. Soulful loss.
Fanciful ideas, like free-falling without a parachute, are exciting — for awhile.
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