Credit where credit's due

World Vision has rescinded its decision to accept homosexual marriage. That they did so in a contrite manner speaks volumes. That they did so while maintaining a compassionate stance toward those practicing homosexuality speaks volumes as well.

Recognizing that Christ's love excludes no one while it cannot accept the sin of anyone is a biblical view that informs their decision.

Love the Sinner

There are those who believe that homosexuality is not a sin. They may listen politely to arguments that the Bible insists that it is indeed sin, but then respond with “Oh, those references are to cultural norms of the times the books of the bible were written in. Those verses don’t apply anymore."

There are those who see homosexuality as a sin, and rail against those who practice it, and condemn them publicly. Their revulsion to homosexual behavior overwhelms them to the point that they elevate the sin so much that it seems worse to them than so many other sins.

I would suggest a third option.

Homosexual activity is sinful in the eyes of God. We cannot pretend that parts of the Bible do not apply anymore, or claim that anything we disagree with falls into the category of ceremonial law when it obviously doesn’t. But neither is it more sinful than adultery, fornication, or any other sin.  Sin separates us from God. In its bondage we are all equal.

I would not tell the homosexual community their activities are acceptable, but I would not tell them they are any less worthy of Christ’s love either.

And while its not our place to condemn the sinner, its not our place to accept the sin either.

Walking Humbly

How are we to respond to social evils and immorality? This is a huge question. Unfortunately, too many of us aren't even aware of it. We see society accepting things that are clearly contrary to the Word of God and we scream at the top of our lungs, No! Acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual marriage, abortion, euthanasia, pornography, child abuse, human trafficking…The list is endless.

The trouble we have is that while we see sin for what it is, we spend too much time focusing on the sinner,and in the wrong way.

Yes, these things are wrong and they should not be sanctioned. But attacking the sinner is like throwing the baby  out with the bathwater. 

As emissaries of the One True King, ought we not behave that way? 

Micah 6:8 says 

He has shown you, o man, what is good
and what the Lord requires of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Its a question. What does the Lord require of you? The world loves the darkness. We are to be the light. But in truth and love.

We don't have to compromise our beliefs, but we don't have to compromise our love for the lost either.