Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Wells, Stones, Jesus, and LGBT

So I suspect that the majority of you in the last few days have has your facebook newsfeeds, twitter walls, and instagram walls flooded with Transgender posts. And I am not ashamed to say I may be joining that list of spamming posts right now.
Here's the thing I am a Christian, I believe in God as the one true God, therefore I believe in His son, who was God in flesh walking on this earth. I also believe in the power of His Spirit, which moves and works through the church and His people, which it has since the moment of existence (Genesis 1:2b). And because of that I believe in the truth of His scripture and word, The Bible.
By this point you might be thinking "Great buddy here is now going to go into a rant about how the Bible says that LGBT people are sinners and deserve to burn in hell..." well hear me out when I say no... and yes... because the fact is, we all are sinners and deserve to burn in hell... every last one of us, including my internship-pastor butt as well!
But don't stop hearing me out, for if you have ears to hear and eyes to see listen and see this!
Many argue that although SOME Christians condemn the world for its sin Jesus came preaching a message of love. I would agree with caution on that statement. Many use examples like Mary Magdalene (who was believed to be a prostitute), the Woman at the well (John 4:1-43), or the case of the adulterous woman (John 8:8-11). Now I am not arguing the truth to these scriptures, that by these we can see that Jesus did in fact bring a ministry of love. However many just quote a summery of the script. And the Intern-Pastor and Theology student I am, I suggest in any case where a summery of scripture is given... LOOK UP THE ORIGINAL TEXT IN THE BIBLE.
Because look in verses 16-18 of John 4 Jesus does however call the woman out on her actions, and in verse 11 of John 8 Jesus tells the woman to "Go and sin no more". So with this knowledge now I would say, Yes Jesus preaches a message of love... but love comes with a price, or rather a sacrifice, time and time again we see this theme, this theme of "Denying yourself and following me (Jesus)" (Matt. 16:24).
Know we must also understand that although the LGBT community does not particularly act in what a Christian might see suitable, they still are humans as well. With that we must tread lightly as well, for like I said before although we two (as in Christians, and anyone and everyone else) are sinners and therefore as sinners deserve to go to hell, we must understand that through Christ's blood and sacrifice are redeemed, and therefore forgiven by our sins (Heb.  9:22, Rom. 5:8) it comes at a price!
Jesus says to the woman "Get up and sin no more" and He says in Matthew 16:24 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." with this we must understand that these two statements, both said by Jesus are one in the same. This harks back to what I said in my first Sermon Thought post "GO" here is the link if you are interested in seeing a parallel  to these verse in the OT.  http://studentinternpastor.blogspot.ca/2015/05/sermon-thought.html . 
So we must understand that if we call ourselves Christian we must stand up for what is right, however we must also realize and be humbled by the fact that we too are redeemed by the same blood of Christ. 
Do I condone the actions that have filled the news lately with the LGBT community, well no, however do I therefore condone the FEW Christians with very loud mouths who condemn these actions... no. Rather I stand by Jesus and am humbled by the fact that, I am a sinner, therefore "I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens me" - Philipp. 4:13.... meaning I am nothing without Christ. So in conclusion I therefore must adhere to the same standard that Jesus gave to the adulterous woman and the woman at the well... as well as you.... that we should "Get up and sin no more" and therefore we should Come after Him, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, and with that we are then defined by Him. Paul puts it like this in his letter to the Philippians "To live is Christ, to die is gain" (P.1:21). 
So here is my challenge rather then getting mad, writing very long Facebook posts, or congratulating this. Maybe if you call yourself a Christian (Christ one) you should take the challenge Jesus gives to us, and to everyone else "To get up, follow Him, deny ourselves, pick up our cross, follow Him and sin no more, for our life is His, and if we are condemned for this action, if this choice ultimately leads us to our death, then we are welcomed in Heaven." 
Sin no more.... share the love of Jesus, but realize is comes at a cost. 
   

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