hypocrisy
Somewhere it seems we have lost sight of what our calling as Christians is....
It seems to me this site is obsessed with homosexuality.
I have read somewhere that the ones most loudly decrying their neighbors crime are sometimes dealing with that same problem but, they don't want to admit it to themselves and they don't want anyone else to think they are dealing with it, so if they say it loud enough and angry enough no one will suspect that their heart is not where it should be...
just a thought....but I have found that statement to be very often true.
Jesus said: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone"
And also..
"Judge not, that you not be judged! For with the judgment you judge,
you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's
eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?"
(The words of Christ per Matthew 7:1-3)
I know that you have probably heard that before....but, I don't think Jesus was just talking about sexual purity. I think we as Christians need to reach out with kindness to our fellow man and not hatred and anger.
I think so many times we use scriptures to fit our own needs and agenda's while we often over look scriptures that we ourselves are not adhering to. In the days of slavery in this country the slave owners used scripture to justify owning slaves such as....
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT) and others.........
Shockingly I have heard "Christians" even justify the executing of homosexuals. People who have bashed and beat or killed homosexuals usually think they are justified in doing so by God. I have personally heard other Christians infer that gays should be bashed and beaten. Many others just remain quite instead of speaking out that it is wrong!
There are many many sinners in this world...we all are...For we ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. To God all sin is sin. WE have decided that one sin is greater than the other. It is our duty to be the salt of the earth... to lead by example to spread the word.. It is up to God to touch the hearts of those of whom the seed is planted.
We have become obsessed with homosexuality as a sin almost to the exclusion of all others and we have raised it to the level of almost the unpardonable sin.
Yes, I do say consider the plank in your own eye, because we tend to look over that so easily. What about adultery, what about gluttony (look at the static’s on overeating Americans). What about greed? What about Hatred?. Consider what the Bible says about adultery.
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10 NLT)
AND JUST HOW SEXUALLY PURE ARE WE??? I mean search your heart guys..... Jesus said:
Jesus said : "If you look upon a woman with lust, you have already committed adultery in your heart."
Yet today,, I don't THINK there are many of us that would suggest that anyone be put to death because of this terrible sin. Yet, we had a judge in Alabama say that homosexuals should be put to death...Did we as CHRISTIANS object to this? NO, many have applauded this! Why because if we said that this was wrong someone may think we are "for homosexuality, or worse think we are one"... Is this as Jesus would do? I think not.
Do I even need to mention that divorce is a sin? AND, on top of that that IF we DO divorce the bible says you shouldn't remarry.... but, not many people feel comfortable even talking about that... how many Christians in your own churches are not only divorced but remarried?
Also, concerning the article "Homosexuality is a sin"
I don't know who posted this article but, it is laced with misquotes from the Bible and inaccuracy. If we want to convince people that we know the right way we must at least get the scripture right.
Changing the scripture to make or defend our view is no better than the slave owners who used scripture to justify slavery!
One of the areas I am referring to is when it is mentioned a homosexual is brought before Jesus. A homosexual was NOT brought before Jesus.. it was not even a man but a woman and she was caught in the act of ADULTRY! This does not help in any efforts to convince any one that ours is the right way and I believe that in itself is a sin!
We should be reaching out to those that we see doing wrong. Just as Jesus went among the sinners and ate and drank with them. He is our example.
Also, there are many different dominations out there that have different beliefs. They all interpret the scriptures a little differently.
Catholics pray to the saints and Mary. Does this mean they are praying to other Gods? Are Catholics going to hell? Methodist believe one way, Baptist another...... and so on. Who is to say who is worshiping the correct way? Is everyone going to hell that does not believe exactly as you do?
This is all to say that I think we should reach out with love and kindness, speak are views... but be careful of hate taking over your heart.
Maybe we as Christians need to step back and examine our own lives and live as we think God wants US to live and stop judging others, but pray for them instead....
PEACE!
Jason