|
|
|
Article by Cameron Spink
Another celebrity has come out this week in regards to their sexual orientation. This time it is Anna Paquin, the child prodigy, who won an Oscar at the age of eleven. She made public that she was bisexual to help the campaign “Give A Damn”.
The chief purpose of this campaign, according to their own website, is for “everyone who cares about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality”. Equality is becoming a dangerous fad that even some Christians believe and are screaming for. And to some extent this could be justified. After all God is love isn't He? And He loves everyone equally? While this is indeed correct this logic is then pushed to the point “So if God loves every man, woman and child shouldn't he tolerate their sins”?
The answer is a resounding no. God hates sin. It is everything that God is not. Furthermore, God does not punish the sin, He punishes the sinner. This means everyone, how's that for equality. A lot of people struggle with this concept. There are many accounts on the “Give a Damn” personal stories page about individuals who cannot understand how they can deny their own nature and who they are and so they have left the Christian faith in order to accepted their homosexual life.
The Bible states “let him without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7) and sometimes people believe that ends the discussion in regards to homosexuality. However, this is intended to be a constructive article upon the dangers of placing our hope in the idea that we must eventually succumb to our inner desires. For I am a sinner, I continuously sin and flaunt God's decrees. And every time I ignore God's laws His wrath burns against me. It is only by Jesus intervention that I am saved from His justice.
But this is not the end of the story. Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Roman Church. Here is an extract “What shall we say then?Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:1-3). As Christians we are called to stop sinning and take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
An appropriate response to God's mercy is our obedience to His word. So even though we may fail a the Christian journey is about developing a relationship with God and changing those areas of life that do not conform to His purpose.
This makes the argument that any act is in a person's nature a little redundant. As followers of our Lord and Savior we are called to surrender to God. As Romans 6:22 tells us “now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God the fruit you get leads to sanctification”. While it is true that our salvation is not contingent upon our actions we have become slaves to righteousness.
This means we need to “put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth....” (Colossians 3:5-8). This is the appropriate response to God's grace.
So while I know I continue sinning I also know God has commanded me to give up my sinful desires. Whatever these sins are, be they greed or anger or lust or sexual immorality. “Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked” (Galatians 6:7). And He does not differentiate between sins.
Do not get caught up in this “new phenomenon” that is accepting people as they are. That is not really loving, nor is it biblical. Sure it is important to show everyone Christian love and compassion but if you want to have a real impact tell the truth. Always remember it is God who saves and not you. Your love and care may make a difference but in the end it is only by accepting that we are all sinners and need what God offers that we are saved by His righteousness. Only God is love and only God is the only one who can justify!
|
|
|
