| Still trying to process the whole afternoon that the Equality Riders of Soul Force spent on campus. Openly homosexual people proclaiming Jesus Christ as savior. While our campus stood strong on it's theology, it was refreshing to see the encouragment of dialogue on such a controversial topic. I was brought to tears as I stood next to some of our guests, worshiping. Could they really be in love with the Jesus that I love? The church may be called to walk "the straight and narrow," but since when did the church close it's doors to conversation, to questions, to differences in opinoun? Surprisingly enough, they didn't ask us to change our faith tradition, but they asked us to alli with them in loving others. "Love the sinner, hate the sin in them" is leading to a mislead thinking, resulting in a sad and violent crusade grounded by the church. Disagree with this you may, but whether 1% or 100% of it is true, I want to be the first to be sorry for it and offer an apology for portraying Christ in such a mannor. Scripture may appear clear about sin, but condemnation is not our job as Christians. LOVE is our job. For as hard as it might be, might the church community- the body of Christ- the people that call themselves Christ-followers, choose to love unconditionally and let the spirit work from there. I'm tired of the jokes on a Christian campus, the fear that parents have instilled in their children, the hate-crimes, the shun, why not love completely? There's risk in this, yes. But I doubt that Christ will say when he comes "how many sexual orientations did you change in my name?" This love is easier said than done. Homosexuals are people, not a concept. God can love them unconditionally and look beyond their choosing to disobey him in act and deed. I wish as humans could fixate our minds and hearts to do the same. We are all sinners. We are all thirsty, weak, judged, needy, dying a slow death. Let's put our stones down.
Matthew 25:31-46
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." |
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