So, now we’re “insensitive” and “harsh” and “judgmental” if we agree with God’s judgments and repeat what He says about sin?
Well, not all sins, just some sins.
Ok, it’s actually just one sin (child molesting can still be denounced without apology). But one sin is clearly off limits and immune from all denunciation no matter who you are or where you are.
Homosexuality.
You can’t even say that marriage should be restricted to males covenanting together with females. Cause, if you do, you’re “a hater” — and don’t try to deny it, it’s obvious to the rest of us — no matter what you say to the contrary. Clearly, you hate people who are not like you — and the sooner you admit it, the sooner you can enroll in a “sensitivity class” and learn how to “tolerate” and love others, something which you obviously don’t know how to do at present.
And unbelievers and atheists are not the only ones saying this. Today, among those clucking their tongues and “tsk-tsking” under their breaths, are fellow evangelicals who are supposed to believe that the Bible is God’s Word.
So that if I quote what God says about homosexuality and say “Amen” I’m labelled harsh and unloving by a brother who says he believes the Bible to be the one rule of faith and life like I do! He might even pull out the “P” word (“Pharisee”) as he denounces my self-righteous, ungracious, unloving, ugly, hateful, boorish, bad-smelling self.
Ok, so what are we to make of all this?
There was a time when most people believed that “God is love.” But those days are gone. Seriously. They’re gone. How can I say that? Follow me for a moment:
If God is love, then His Word is good (and not evil) and loving (not hateful). And to agree with Him and live in accordance with His word is not an expression of hatred but the opposite. And further, to disagree with God’s Word is not loving, but hateful. It’s not showing compassion or mercy, but indifference and callousness.
But we don’t believe this anymore.
And that accounts for much of the weirdness of the present hour: If I agree with those who reject God’s judgments, I’m called “loving” — when the truth is, I’m demonstrating nothing but calloused indifference and hatred to those around me. God says “homosexuality” is an abomination and will surely be judged. When I disagree with that, I’m saying to all those who are homosexuals, “Hey, you know what? go to hell and see if I care — cause I don’t!” But at least they will think I love them — and I guess I’m supposed to be comforted by that in some way.
On the other hand, if I truly care about homosexuals, then I have to tell them the truth about what they are doing (i.e., it is wrong, sinful, and abominable in God’s sight — but there is forgiveness and restoration and freedom from condemnation in Jesus). But if I do this, I’ll be called “hateful” — when in fact, I’m demonstrating nothing but the sincerest compassion and love for them. I really don’t want them to be condemned. But they will think I hate them. And call me bad names.
This is what happens when you live in a world where men love hatred and hate love. That’s the world we live in today. Men hate to be loved and love to be hated.
And here’s why: Men hate God. And because they hate God, they hate true love. God is love and thus if you hate Him, real love often appears unattractive and offensive. So consequently, men erroneously judge many manifestations of love as expressions of hatred. And, conversely, they view many expressions of hatred as manifestations of love. The result is, men love to be hated and hate to be loved.
And this hatred of love goes even further: Those who think God’s judgments are harsh and insensitive are in fact claiming to be more sensitive and loving than God Himself. Obviously, if Yahweh were properly sensitive, He would never have said such harsh and unloving things. So their denunciation of those who honor God’s judgments is ultimately, a hateful denunciation of God as well.
Jesus said to His disciples, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18). That’s it. Their hatred of us is ultimately a hatred of Him — it is a hatred of love.
It’s always taken great courage to love. And it still does today. Will you love those who have fallen to the temptation to homosexuality? If so, then speak the truth to them, stand with Jesus, extend the hope of the gospel, and don’t be shocked when some respond to your love with hatred (in the name of love).
When that happens, continue to be like God. Keep loving, keep speaking the truth, keep showing compassion. Even when those you are loving view and treat you as an enemy.
Reblogged this on Unapologetics | aint nothing sacred.
Isn’t it interesting that the homosexual rights people who demand tolerance are amongst the most intolerant people in the nation?