How should we respond as Christians, as those who believe the “gay” lifestyle is wrong and that it is an abomination to God? There are several ways we can respond.
1. Remember that we are all sinners.
“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
2. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and we all deserve to die for our sins.
“Those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?” (Luke 13:4)
Do we think that because a tragedy befell someone, they were worse sinners than we are? Except we repent, we will all likewise perish. (See verse 5) We are all sinners, and we will all face the same punishment for sin unless we repent.
Revelation 21:8 reminds us, “The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” This verse reminds us that lying and idolatry and fearfulness and unbelief are just as great a sin as murder and homosexuality or lesbianism, and they deserve the same punishment.
3. Remember the love that Jesus showed,
“God commendeth his love toward us,
[When?]
in that, while we were yet sinners,
[What did Christ do for us?]
Christ died for us.
If we speak out against sin, it is important to remember our own sins and to view them just as harshly. They may not be open or be committed on a national scale, but they are still sins, and they are still wicked and evil in God’s sight.
If we speak harshly against others' sins in a condemning way and refuse to offer them comfort in tragedy or show them the response of love, are we willing to show our love to them the way Christ did for us? Are we willing to lay down our lives for them if that would result in their salvation? Just something to think about.
4. Sin deserves judgment, but God is full of mercy.
“Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13b)
On the other hand, if we refuse to show mercy to other sinners as God showed mercy to us, “He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.” (James 2:13a)
These are actually frightening thoughts.
And what about the man who committed the murders? What about his accomplices, if he had any?
Jesus instructed us, “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.” (Luke 6:27) Oh, how difficult to do! And oh, how I fail in that respect!
5. Salvation is offered to all
“God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4)
6. There is hope for change
“9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
(Corinthians 6:9-11)
We have the best comfort anyone can offer, and that is hope through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God, help me to have compassion on sinners and love them as You do!
Turn Again to the Lord