I can't believe I am going here on my blog but I am. I have to share a different perspective... one that has not been shared much. I have stood on my soapbox several times this week about this issue. I have finally decided to articulate all of my feelings and convictions on paper and post them online. And you know what I am speaking of. Unless you have been living under a rock the last week then you have heard about the President of Chick Fil A speaking out against homosexuality and revealing that the company has funded an anti-gay organization. When I first heard of this I was appalled. (And before I start my tangent I realize they are a Christian company. And that God designed us for intimacy between a man and woman. But let me now start on my tangent of why I was so appalled.) I for one am a Christian. I asked Christ in my heart as a 4th grader. I’ve had a strong understanding of God’s will for my life since I was a young girl. I was taught as a child to love one another and to never look down on anyone for not sharing the same beliefs as me. I can’t tell you how many times as a child my mother referenced the woman at the well from John chapter 4. She would tell me you are more likely to bring others to Christ outside of the four walls of the church than inside. I sang, “This Little Light of Mine” and understood what it meant. I was to let the love of Christ shine through me so that others might see. Therefore, after reading my first article about the Chick Fil A "scandal", I imagined myself as a homosexual reading this same article and how would I feel. I asked myself the following questions. Would I feel the love of Christ from this organization? Would I want what they had? Would I see the joy of Christ in these people? Would I feel without hope? Would I feel loved?
I then brought myself back to the John chapter 4. I read the scriptures to see if I had missed something. Did Jesus tell this lady of her sins? Did He tell her she was bound to hell? Did He give her a sense of no hope? Did He tell her He was against her? No, no, no and no! He did none of those things. She was aware of her own sins. He showed her His love and told her of His mercy. That's all it is about folks.
Do I believe homosexuality is the lifestyle God wants for His children? No, I do not. But do I believe I am going to show a homosexual the love of Christ by speaking out against their lifestyle? NO, I do not. It is like I don’t believe one single anti-abortion bumper sticker has ever stopped someone from having abortion. What makes a difference is showing people hope and love. There is enough of the other stuff out there. If you allow a homosexual to see the joy you have in your life from your own personal relationship with Jesus, you may actually have the chance of them excepting Him into their lives. But telling them they are wrong and that they are condemned to hell will do nothing but keep them there. Somehow as Christians we forget that the GRACE that saved us from our sins is the same GRACE that can save the homosexuals, the murders, the thieves and the rest of mankind.
And for all you who say to me that it is not fair everyone else gets to voice their views without persecution, I say stop complaining. As a Christian, you get to have a personal relationship with your God and eternal life one day. What other religion or lifestyle promises that? So why not show others the love and the promises of Christianity instead of condemning and alienating people!
I read a post on another blog that shared my same views. I was amazed that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. She articulated herself better than I ever could. Please check it out at http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/07/27/in-the-basement#.UBLy0YGjR88.facebook. But let me share my favorite part:
I’m sick of the Jesus forwards and judgment. Sick of majoring on gay marriage. Enough, everyone. With every hate Tweet and finger jab and Bible bludgeon, you are telling my gay friends they are indeed unwelcome, unloved, unvalued, and uninvited. If your agenda is to battle homosexuality, how’s that going? How many gay folks read your Prop 8 yard sign, knocked on your door, and said, “Thank you for voicing your opinion to the neighbors in this manner. Would you kindly invite me in and teach me how to be straight? And do you have a Bible study I can join?”
Ok now, I’m stepping off the soapbox. Who’s next in line?
Do I believe homosexuality is the lifestyle God wants for His children? No, I do not. But do I believe I am going to show a homosexual the love of Christ by speaking out against their lifestyle? NO, I do not. It is like I don’t believe one single anti-abortion bumper sticker has ever stopped someone from having abortion. What makes a difference is showing people hope and love. There is enough of the other stuff out there. If you allow a homosexual to see the joy you have in your life from your own personal relationship with Jesus, you may actually have the chance of them excepting Him into their lives. But telling them they are wrong and that they are condemned to hell will do nothing but keep them there. Somehow as Christians we forget that the GRACE that saved us from our sins is the same GRACE that can save the homosexuals, the murders, the thieves and the rest of mankind.
And for all you who say to me that it is not fair everyone else gets to voice their views without persecution, I say stop complaining. As a Christian, you get to have a personal relationship with your God and eternal life one day. What other religion or lifestyle promises that? So why not show others the love and the promises of Christianity instead of condemning and alienating people!
I read a post on another blog that shared my same views. I was amazed that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. She articulated herself better than I ever could. Please check it out at http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/07/27/in-the-basement#.UBLy0YGjR88.facebook. But let me share my favorite part:
I’m sick of the Jesus forwards and judgment. Sick of majoring on gay marriage. Enough, everyone. With every hate Tweet and finger jab and Bible bludgeon, you are telling my gay friends they are indeed unwelcome, unloved, unvalued, and uninvited. If your agenda is to battle homosexuality, how’s that going? How many gay folks read your Prop 8 yard sign, knocked on your door, and said, “Thank you for voicing your opinion to the neighbors in this manner. Would you kindly invite me in and teach me how to be straight? And do you have a Bible study I can join?”
Ok now, I’m stepping off the soapbox. Who’s next in line?
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