In a recent Examiner article entitled "Christianity and God's Gay Children," author Angela Boatright-Spencer, an Episcopal Priest, writes that "since the time of both Leviticus and Paul, we have learned a great deal about sexual orientation, chiefly that it is primarily not a choice -- it is one's nature."Read article here: Christianity and God's gay Children. I have to say that Mrs. Spencer does a great deal of assuming, rather than acknowledging what is to be clearly taught in scripture. Before I continue with my thoughts, I want to preface by saying the following: this blog is in no way written to bash homosexuals, nor is it necessarily written as a rebuttal or critique to Mrs. Spencer's article. My aim in this blog is simply to assert what the scriptures teach, and to speak truth in place of what may be well-intended assumptions. Again, the goal is not to have any sort of altercations with the gay community, but only to present truth in the hopes that those who are gay by nature - and this is Mrs. Spencer's own words - may see their need for a new nature, and thereby trust in Jesus as the means to that end. All sinners, whether gay or straight, are in need of Jesus. This article seeks to reiterate why that is so.
Consider again the author's words..."we have learned a great deal about sexual orientation, chiefly that it is primarily not of choice, but of one's nature." A great truth needs to be seen and understood here. However, before we see this truth, we must deal with false assumptions that lead to wrong conclusions. The writer assumes that since one is gay primarily by nature and not of choice, they are fine as they are, so long as they live a moral Christian life viz-a-viz the "love law;" love God, love people, do on to others as you'd have others do on to you, and so on. Who in their right mind would assume that since one is born predisposed to anger, he or she ought to have "the right" to murder? No one in their right mind will draw that conclusion from such an assumption, whether the assumption is right or not. If then it is wrong to murder despite one's predisposition to it, why assume another sin - albeit homosexuality, is right to practice if one is born gay? To assume one sin over the other shows a partiality and a preference for particular offenses. To use the words of Romans 1 and verse 18, it shows that..."men by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
Earlier I mentioned that we need to acknowledge a great truth. What is this great truth? The great and important truth is seen in Jesus' own words..."unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). We must not assume that since God is our Creator, we are his children, and are therefore in a love relationship with him. It is written..."to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). In all honestly, one is not a child of God by mere fact of being his creation, but by divine right or appointment. God grants the right of being called his children to those who receive Jesus and believe in him. Now that being said, what does it mean to receive and believe in Jesus? Simply put, receiving and believing in Jesus entails much more than mere acknowledgment of certain facts. Believing in Jesus involves trusting in his worth alone for your justification of sins. When a person understands their utter worthlessness before God, and see themselves as an offender and opposer of God in the way they break his laws and fail to rightly love him, they cling solely to Jesus alone. No man but he has lived a life of complete righteousness.
He alone has never sinned - not even in thought or deed. And more than living a sinless life, he was offered as an atoning sacrifice for sin, in order to appease God's holy wrath. Still yet, he was resurrected on the 3rd day to fulfill scripture, validate his claims as God, and to offer justification to all those who trust in him. His perfect life was given on behalf sinners in order that those who trust in him might become the righteousness of God. In other words, those who trust in Him could have his perfect life credited to their account, while their sins be imputed in his body whereby it is punished for God's justice sake. This, incidentally, is why all sinners - whether straight or gay, need to be "born again." Homosexuality, like all sin, occurs as a result of our nature. It is given via our first birth, hence the need for being "born again." As mentioned before, being born a certain way by nature does not give us the right to break our Creator's laws. Therefore God says in his mercy to all who would believe, "repent and believe the gospel that your sins may be forgiven."
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1 comments:
Hotness! It was really well said. You made a case without arguing. "Again, the goal is not to have any sort of altercations with the gay community, but only to present truth in the hopes that those who are gay by nature - and this is Mrs. Spencer's own words - may see their need for a new nature, and thereby trust in Jesus as the means to that end. All sinners, whether gay or straight, are in need of Jesus."
Anybody reading this with a gay agenda will be forced to look at human nature and man's depraved state. And you gave the gospel which made me fall deeper in love. :)
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