This post might single-handedly be the most controversial post I will ever write. Why? Because our culture and much of “The Church” likes to put a greater emphasis on certain topics than others. – This is one of them.
A Few Things Before I Start:
1. I have dear friends who are gay.
2. I have multiple family members who are gay.
With those things being stated beforehand, I need everyone to realize that I don’t “hate” or “despise” anyone who claims to be gay, or of any other sexual orientation different from mine.
Why? Because it would be highly ignorant and hypocritical of me to do so.
But, this doesn’t mean I wont stand for my beliefs and proclaim The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All throughout scripture we see Jesus proclaiming a Gospel of LOVE and GRACE, but for some reason today’s society likes to ignore that when dealing with this topic. The so-called “Christians” of today have done a horrible job at dealing with this, and it’s sad to see our world’s view of Christianity be known as: The people with the signs that say “God Hates Fags.” (It makes me sick!)
Really America? Really Christians?
It frustrates me to the point of tears knowing that some of my friends or family members think I might hate them – All because of how a small group of so-called “Christians” are choosing to display their so-called faith.
I’m 100% positive that the course of action these people are taking goes against EVERYTHING The Bible calls us to resemble.
- GRACE
- LOVE
- MERCY
- HOPE
And if you think I am wrong, I would encourage you to take one minute of your day to actually spend time in the presence of God.
Regardless of what scripture states about “homosexuality,” or “marriage,” (Leviticus 18:22) this doesn’t give people the right to ignorantly show hate and destruction to certain people we don’t agree with. Sharing the truth and hope of Jesus should be done in LOVE, not slander and destruction.
The Harsh Reality: I know a handful of people who are gay, go to church, and in fact show the presence of Jesus’ love more than most self-proclaimed “straight” Christians do. (Let that sink in)
This post isn’t for me to use my platform to swoon you into one view or the other. I’m a Bible believing Christian, and I believe that’s all I need to say.
Regardless, my point of writing this is to hopefully WAKE UP our generation, and encourage them to start showing the LOVE and GRACE of Jesus (This doesn’t mean that you stray from biblical truth). Our world is already filled with so much destruction and hate, and the last thing Jesus wanted when dying for us was us to be part of it.
I don’t care if you are gay, straight or purple… God loves you, cares for you, and wants nothing more than to see you in a relationship with his son Jesus Christ. Christianity is NOT a one way ticket to a picket-sign and megaphone.
1 John 4:8 – Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Jarrid Wilson
I completely agree.
Beautifully put, Jarrid. I agree !
<3 this!!!!
Amen Jarrid! Let us love one another like Christ loves us. Why do we never see “Christians” holding signs saying God hates lying or gossip or divorce. Let us speak truth but in love.
This has truly touched me. Beautiful representation of the way God has intended life for all living beings.
Yes the Bible says to love and to show love. But God never said it was okay that male should be with male and vis versa. The bible also mentions that its wrong. It’s still a sin because they are still giving into that particular fleshly desire. Even though you might not think it wrong. The bible also says that the world calls what is bad to be good and what is good to be bad. We cannot be fooled and swayed by the world and what they think is ‘right’. We have to be firm in what we believe in, no matter how much they may hate us for thinking like that we still have to show the love of God towards them obviously. Never in hate. We must ask God for discernment.
I agree with you… I dont want to judge them at all as a matter if fact i want them to feel love. But when is the right time to say hey its wrong honey and i want to help you.
So is wearing clothes of mixed fabrics (Deuteronomy 22:11), working on the sabbath (Exodus 31:15 ), women are never to teach or have power over a man (Timothy 2:11), and giving birth to a daughter makes you unclean for 66 days (Leviticus 12:5). These are just examples of how the Bible is meant to be a moral guideline, not something we should be imposing every word.
Yes, the “God hates fags” is disgusting, not the way to show or share God’s love. Yes, we are to love one another and we are all sinners. But God asks/demands repentance as well, and boasting/pride in our sinful behavior should not happen. 1 Corinthians 6 is pretty clear to me, as is 1 Thessalonians 4. Loving the person, yes, always. Acceptance and pride of sins, no.
I personally believe that it’s not our job as Christians to call others out on their sins. That is for God to deal with. The Bible lays out what is wrong and right and we can clearly see that written. But as Christians we must live a life that is honoring to God. When we live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, people will begin to leave their lives of sin. But we are called to live a life that shows grace, love, mercy and hope. Never does God tell us to call out the sins of others. That is between them and God. Showing grace, love, mercy and hope is not condoning anything. It’s simply living the way the Bible calls us to live. You must focus on your own life, and your own actions, not the lives and actions of others.
So are you saying it’s a sin or not? Or you’re just leaning on the topic of the hating and discriminsting part? I mean, I agree with you, we shoulding discriminate, but people may think you’re saying it’s ok to be gay or may not understand your view on it, (me for example). We should show love, mercy, and all those other things, and yes, God loves even gay people, but not the sin. As Christians, when we show this love, mercy, etc that comes from Christ, we must also lead them to the truth, right? I hope you understand my question and what I’m saying. Please get back to me on this. :) God bless you
Yup.. hate the sin, not the sinner and we all sin!
Whew…powerful stuff. Thank you for speaking truth into this topic. We Christians often misrepresent God’s love and grace.
Yes! Nowadays, the “Love” we Christians should show and feel is fading away… fast! Completely agree with you, Jarrid!
God bless u!
We are called to love but we as flawed humans can only truly love when we are walking in genuine relationship with Christ and his people. Love then is the RESULT of being in Christ. If we are in Christ then we are also called to rebuke and correct. Reproof is a loving action for all issues, not just this one. I love and accept all people but as believers we are called to discern what is Godly and what i’snt (again, for all situations). I pray for healing for us all no matter what our worldview on this may be. God bless!
You don’t even know how many friends I’ve lost because they don’t understand that I don’t hate anyone who disagrees with what I believe. It makes me really sad to think about how these “extremist Christians” have painted such a terrible picture for non believers. I couldn’t have worded this better myself, and I applaud you for being able to word it perfectly so hopefully anyone reading can understand it! Excellent job.
“I know a handful of people who are gay, go to church, and in fact show the presence of Jesus’ love more than most self-proclaimed “straight” Christians do.”
——————————————
How can a person who doesn’t obey God resemble God in ANY way, shape or form?
We don’t compare ourselves to other people but to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:12
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
If you believe your statement 100%, then you yourself do not resemble Christ as well. We’re all sinners bro.
My friend- We cannot hold someone to a standard to which they do not hold themselves. And the first step to winning our brothers and sisters LGBT community to Christ is to by loving them where they are as Christ loves us, regardless of how we feel. I encourage you to read an awesome book called “Love is an Orientation,” by Andrew Marin. It gives a lot of insight into the perspective of how the LGBT community views the Church, and how we can reach out to them, and build bridges of understanding, rather than dividing battle lines of discord.
Agreed. We must show LOVE to everyone, regardless. But this doesn’t mean we water down biblical text. :)
i agree with your point aso we are to hate the sin not the sinner but we are also not to practice the lifestyle of sin . 1 John 3:6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. so if we are to witness to them they would first have to come face to face with their sinful lifestyle and be changed
Great post, Jared. We use to work in the inner city of Chicago in a large gay community. Some of them came to my church. We have one dear friend who has showed us so much love and support, even when our “Christian” friends did not. I agree with your post. We all need Jesus.!
Jarrid, you truly put this in written form very well…..All you wrote is nothing but the bottom line truth in my Christian view. You inserted sentences in the right places within paragraphs. The song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” is a very powerful piece….And it mirrors all the things you have said about Christians needing to back off when it comes to showing hate and disrespect. Well done, Jarrid!!!!!
Chree Alverson
Thank you very mich Chree! This topic is very touchy, but I wanted to come at it with love…
Beautifully written Jarrid. Some of the most influential people in my life are gay. I’m not, I believe it is a sin, but most of them do too. One of them is one of the most inspiring Christians you can talk to today. He has a great story and has had the most impact on my life. Thanks for treating this topic with truth but also with the love and grace and acceptance that Jesus would’ve. Well done.
—-
Ian Harber
Jesus. Love. Creativity.
http://www.IanHarber.com
Thanks Ian, means a lot brother!
But Jarrid,, sin is sin. And the haters are sinners too, as are the gays and you and me etc etc. So lets forgive and have mercy on those too, as we forgive ourselves. Let’s not be sickened by any sinners, as Jesus was not, but instead understood, having been tempted by the same sins we are.
Doesn’t mean we can’t be loving.
Finally.. Someone has put my thoughts into words. God bless your future endeavors.
It’s a really interesting topic! … WOW! I have seen so many articles about loving the gay community and that is SO what we need to be doing. We need to love everyone. Yes. I really struggle with this issue. I too have friends who are gay and it’s just a hard situation. Clearly, I love them and I show love to them… But where is the line between loving someone and accepting their choices?
We see in 2 Timothy: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
I take this as we NEED to speak truth. Yes, a loving truth, but still truth. It’s hard – Yes. It doesn’t make sense sometimes – Yes. But it needs to be done. We can’t ignore some parts of God’s word and completely “buy into” others. (Not saying that this is what you’re doing.) ESPECIALLY if our brothers and sisters are in Christ, we are called to hold them accountable, just as we are called to love them.
It’s interesting that the “gay community” has formed. We don’t see communities for other sins – liars, drunks, adulterers, …
I really do struggle with this issue. The enemy is SO at war right now trying to win souls. But we need to stand firm in our faith and the directions that God gives us. It’s hard to imagine this is a choice, but I do believe it is.
I am SO willing to hear other people’s ideas and comments!
Love!
AMEN! One of the best lines I’ve read is this: Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.
A sin is a sin no matter what it is. I would never treat someone differently because of the lifestyle they choose. I have friends and family who are gay, and I love them regardless of this. Hate does not turn anyone’s heart and those that use it need to remember what God is all about.
God hates sin but loves the sinner… so much He send his only begotten son to die for us.
On judgment day, will God send the sinner to hell or their sin?
We’re all sinners. Those who have not repented will not seek housing in the Kingdom of Heaven.
To all of you here, Christians
Do not get anything twisted. God is love. Unconditional love. He loves us all. We as Christians should reach out to murderers, people in prison, rapists, gays, prostitutes, suicidal people, people whose souls have been destroyed by worldly love… To those we should be like Christ. But what is Christ? He is love, peace, acceptance (His arms are opened for ALL Humans, for a human a the image of God on Earth. The thing is that sin got us away from God but Christ was the bridge, this narrow bridge that brings us back to God.) grace and mercy.
Someone who says they are Christians but do not show any of these thing IS NOT a Christians (read Galates 5:22, 1 John 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 13) and I am sorry if some are offended but it is better that I say that now, instead of having Christ saying that, when sitting on the Great White Throne for it will be too late by then. So all of us, let us show, unconditional love, peace, acceptance, grace and mercy, shall we? Some of our critical blessings and breakthroughs are hindered just because of that (For it is a lack of obedience). And for those who are still skeptical, if you cannot show mercy and acceptance and love to the world, why should God show this to you?? Who are you to demand this? You are humans just like me, unworthy of getting that but since God is love, peace, grace, mercy forgiveness and acceptance (about justice, that is only for Him to say who is to be punished, not for us, we just show the Bible to the people, but the justice is the Lord’s) you just received God’s gift of love. Since you got it from Him, how about you show people God’s unconditional love (again that is love, peace, acceptance, mercy and grace, shown by Jesus Christ on Christ. He laid his life for people who hated Him. As a Christian, would you lay your life for someone who murdered someone you love? Or for a gay? If you can’t, talk to God NOW)
In the end, the only thing that’ll save the world is God’s love revelation through us Christians (Christians means followers of Christ). Let us do our job, in full obedience, reverence and love to our dear and lovely Redeemer, shall we? Let us God bless us as we do so.
Peace
Jesus speaking right here. :)
Wow…well said bro…
I never really new a gay person personally…but now I have a co-worker that is gay…and she is one of the coolest person i know…
I agree…that it is wrong…but that is not my place to judge…i take the plank out of my eye…i know there are sins i can not control…and doesn’t make me better or worse then her…just the same actually…sinners in the hands of the loving God….GOD will deal with my sin…and he will deal with hers…not me…
All the while speaking the Gospel of Jesus.
I don’t know why people would be confused by reading this. You were clear in what you believe. Maybe it’s that people don’t understand that you can disagree with something and still be loving. Great post.
I am not gay obviously, i am married with four kids :) but i do know some people who are, and they are very sweet, but i do believe is a sin, God made a man and a woman for a reason …. but that is not my job to judge them for who they are, we are all sinners and they all weigh the same in the eyes of our Lord, but as a Christians and believers in God we can show them the love of God by loving them and showing them the light of God in us. I am so far from perfect but i enjoy being a girl :) …God bless you Jarrid
Thank you man. This post hits pretty close to some things that have happened in my life and helped to answer to questions regarding people that I consider good friends. Keep doing what you’re doing and moving through the love of Christ.
http://www.bryantotten.com
Thanks Bryan. I will definitely check out your blog.
What I want to know is where in the Bible does it talk about Jesus being so loving and tolerant of sinners? When Jesus encountered a sinner, He would either heal them and then they followed Him (repentance), or He rebuked them. I don’t see tolerance at all. Call me an extreme Christian… I won’t be going out of my way to hold signs and bash people, but I also will stick to the Word of God which tells me that I should not be tolerant of mine, or anyone else’s sin.. and that I should be praying for change in me and others.
Psalm 1:
1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Thanks so much for the early post that started with the “fabrics of two threads” quote. This discussion reminds me so much of the discussion that went on years ago about divorce. Honestly, none of us lives up that standard of Christ. And none of us are in a position to present anything as God’s truth for another’s life EXCEPT to present Christ who is truth. And for all of us over-eaters and gossipers out there – do a word search about what the Bible has to say about how horrible those are. Don’t know anyone who has ripped out their own tongue lately.