Re: Jesusland
maxsg wrote:I never defend an article, because I don't believe in that, if you disagree, that's fine. But I have to say, I'm inspired by the conversation between On My Way and Platypus. I wish conversation like this could take place more often.
Max
I agree with you that open communication can improve relationships between the gay community and Christians. However, when articles like the one you posted paint all Christians with a broad brush of hate toward a certain group of people it is a barrier to open communication.
Jesus taught:
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
NAS
He also taught:
Matthew 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
NAS
Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote:
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves. NAS
Christians who oppose gay unions do so based on a set of moral values that transcend human law to do otherwise would by hypocritical. However, we are not authorized to
judge those outside our own community who disagree with our morality.
As Christians we can and should love the gay community as brothers, but on the other hand the gay community insists we love or approve what they do and that is a barrier that will never be breached.