.jpg)
If you’ve arrived at my blog today looking for something sweet – like a rainbow with a Care Bear atop it – be forewarned that you have landed in the epicenter of a Wendy rant. Hold on tight.Unless you get your news from the Cartoon Network, you are most likely aware that the California Supreme Court recently overturned a ban on gay marriage. Gay and lesbian couples began going to courthouses at 5 p.m. Monday to exchange vows.
I saw this video yesterday of a Christian hanging around outside the Yolo County courthouse, complete with a “LOVE JESUS” T-shirt on, protesting the civil ceremonies. It’s only 1:25 long, so have a look at it and then come back here.
We can discuss same sex marriage another day, because today the real issue for me is why Christians do not seem to grasp the concept that when we claim to love Jesus, this love insists that we love others – and by others I mean others – even people who think and live differently.
Jesus Himself gave us SO many chances to get this – He modeled it and told stories about it and sermonized about it. All those parables about lost things being pursued of out love and transformed in response to GRACE were not just opportunities for Him to express His creativity. No, He was clearly showing us the way to live and relate to people.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3:17). Saved = Restored. Restored to what God originally intended – what He dreamed – for His people. As uncomfortable as people are with the phrase, “Saved,” I seriously doubt anyone would say there is nothing to be saved from. The things that humankind is capable of! But God envisioned peace and wholeness, kindness and mercy, patience and unity, so He is saving the world through Jesus. If only we’d cooperate – especially those of us who bear His name on our chests and His presence in our hearts.
5 comments:
interesting entry especially after opening up my email and seeing three emails with the subject line ( i have been deleting without reading them for month's now ) implying why it would mean the end of the world if Obamma becomes president.
militia207
ps... you know a nice winnie the pooh and tigger dancing together would be nice to see every now and then ; - )
Thank you for reminding us what it really means to be Christian. I think some feel that Christianity is more like a sorority or fraternity. If you survive the initiation and know the secret handshake, you are IN and can make others feel OUT. Regardless of what others want for themselves, I always find myself wondering, "what does it matter anyway?" Rant away baby.
In order to have transformation, you must have revelation. The source of true revelation is God's Word which reveals the hard fact that we are all sinners.
It is right and good to show love to everyone, but our love is meaningless if it does not reveal (or "revelate") any truth to each other, or to the lost.
We have to love enough to get the core of the Gospel right--which is God's holy standard, our inability to meet that standard, and our need for redemption. Because we've all come from the same place it should be easy to speak this language, but it is often difficult.
When we revelate, our goal must not be to make a homosexual into a heterosexual or a thief into a tither, but to introduce them to a relationship with our Savior. Then it is His job to convict of particular sins, using the Bible, the Church, and community to do this.
Individuals--not churches--should then be free to influence society according to their conscience. We all have this right--may the most compelling truth claims win the day as we protect the defenseless, shepherd the weak, and remove or prohibit the corrupt from taking power.
I love the line where someone asks the guy if he is being persecuted by these people getting married. And he can't answer.
Also, there was a comment at the end that there were no men getting married.
All very interesting.
Thanks for the rant Wendy. Put the bullhorns down!
I'd like Christians to point out what exactly Jesus SAID about homosexuality before they quote him on it.
Post a Comment