Alright ya’ll, it’s business time.  I promised yesterday to do a series on somethings that I believe that definitely set me apart for the stereotypical Christian.  Please prayerfully consider my thoughts and see what God leads you to do.

Again, here’s my list:

1. Skipping church doesn’t mean you’re going to hell.
2. Gay people should legally be allowed to get married.
3. Drinking beer or wine is not a sin.
4. Masturbation is not a sin.
5. “Secular” music is not from the devil.
6. Not everyone in church is a Christian.
7. I don’t think the world is going to end in my lifetime.

This is NOT a permission slip to go out and do all these things- read all week to get what I’m getting at!

I’m going to start with number 2, since it’s obviously the heaviest topic, and the one that I’ve already received the most criticism about.  I’m sure I’ll get some pretty angry responses, that’s okay- I’m past the point of taking in personally!

I’ve already taken so much flack for this one.  I totally understand why.  I think by this point in time, each and every one of use knows someone who considers themselves gay.  It’s a raging debate in a lot of churches. Whole denominations are making stands on this issue that are blowing apart their congregations.

I think this is a very important issue to discuss, but not a very easy one to put to rest.

Before I jump into this though, we need to set the record straight:
1. Stop assuming gay people can’t be in love. We cannot deny the fact that gay people  do love each other- deeply and intimately.
2. Stop assuming gay people are animals.  Legalizing homosexuality doesn’t mean that ‘next week they’ll all be screwing animals.’ That’s gross, and highly offensive to me and everyone else I know, gay or straight. Stop thinking so unconsciously.
3. You can be ‘gay’ and love Jesus. It’s not the attraction that’s the sin.  It’s the action.  There are people in your church who believe they’re gay, but are choosing to live holy lives in massive faith. Do not put these people down. Support them as much as you can. They are heroes, they are fellow soldiers, and they are co-workers in building God’s kingdom.

Alright, here it is…

I think LEGALLY, gay people should be allowed to be married.

There, I said it.  If my country put it to a vote, and the majority chose this, then so be it.  We can’t assume that church and state are the same.  We cannot deny their rights.

First thing people bring up:

Well then they’ll force pastors to marry gay people. Heck no. That’s a violation of my rights, and I’d never do it.

But they could take away your pastoral credentials or tax benefits if you refused to marry gays! Oh really?  You need credentials to do ministry?  Do you serve God for the tax credit?!

Here’s an idea: government could sign a ‘Gay Marriage Act’. This way, ministers could take the course and get licensed to marry gay people.  Those opposed simply wouldn’t take the course, therefore would be unable to marriage gay people.  That wasn’t so hard was it?

But Jay, legalizing homosexuality will break down society!

And society isn’t already breaking down?!  You need to realize that this world is coming to an end.  We’re on a sinking ship, and our job is the rescue as many as possible.  Stop blaming gay people for ruining the world, and start to change the world instead.

Christians, listen up: If someone doesn’t know Jesus, it is NOT up to the church to dictate morality.  My mom always said, “you can’t clean a fish until you catch him!”  (and it’s God’s job to clean my heart and life anyway.)  People will continue to sin, and heavy-handed judgement is the last thing we need to do as Christ-followers. So let’s start by cutting that out.

Secondly, and much more importantly- (Christians, we truly need to wrap our heads around this)  just because something’s legal doesn’t mean it’s right!!!

Seriously, conservative Christians have been battling gay marriage in the courts for soooo long… but does it really matter to the gospel?!  Who said legality is the be-all-end-all?

In Canada, you can legally have anal sex with a consenting 14-year-old. Doesn’t mean it’s right. In Canada, you can get off on a rape charge…if you were drunk. Doesn’t mean it’s right. In Canada, you can kidnap and force a girl into prostitution, and get away with a small monetary fine. Doesn’t mean it’s right.

Just because a country gives the green light doesn’t mean God says it’s okay.  Being married under the marriage act doesn’t mean you’ve got God’s blessing… gay or straight.  That’s a whole nutha level.

Realize that the world and the body of Christ are heading in two completely different directions.  It’s not up to us to course-correct legislation.  It’s up to us to change minds, present the gospel, and support the life-changing power of Jesus in the lives of those we’re loving and serving. (DANG…that was good.)

Okay, let’s go WAY beyond legalization…

Here’s my greatest concern about this issue: there’s a generation of Christians being raised that, because of their love for their gay friends, are accepting homosexual behavoiur as okay.  What’s happening is that they’re ignoring/throwing out/tip-toe-ing around what God says is sin in order to continue to care for those they SO deeply love.

You don’t have to ignore God’s commands in order to love gay people. Or straight people for that matter.  I’ve got a bunch of supposed ‘Christian’ friends who I’d love to punch in the teeth. But my commend from God is simple: love them.  But not their sin.

Let me be very clear.  God loves every single person he ever created.
But He does not condone their every single action, choice, habit, or lifestyle.

This includes me- God HATES my sin. He created me for more- for a life lived in Him.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 is SO clear:
Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Christians- do not deny sin as sin. See all mankind for who they are- broken, sinful, hurting people in need of a Lord and Saviour.  And then be like Jesus to them.

So what should we the church being doing about the whole gay issue?

I think there’s a LIST of things that Christians could be doing when it comes to the ‘gay issue.’  None of them involve gay bashing, putting others down, or shunning people with a different sexual orientation.

1. Stop the hypocrisy.

We’re SO quick to pick ‘GAY’ out of that passage.  But we forget what God is talking about here:  ALL sin- sexual sin, worship idols (like MONEY), commit adultery (before, during, or after marriage, people!), male prostitutes, thieves (including corporations and those who take advantage of others), or greedy people (who won’t even tithe maybe?), or drunkards (uh oh college kids), or are abusive (or just downright mean), or cheat people (this includes not helping the poor.)

If you’re a sinner, you’re just as sinful as a gay person. Don’t hide behind your goodness or religion or discipline.  We’ve all sinned. We’ve all fallen short.  We need to fess up.  And stop pretending we’re perfect.

2. Stop dictating morals.

God didn’t say “be good.”  And he certainly didn’t say “force others to be good.”  He said, “Love the Lord YOUR God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.“  Do that, and your goodness will PERMEATE the lives of others.

3. Realize that the gay lifestyle isn’t a very open and holistic way to live.

My wife took a class in university with a gay section. First day in the section…everyone sits down…the teacher knows Michelle is a Christian.  So he singles her out: “Michelle, what do you think of homosexuality?” Trying to make her look bad…but forgot she had the Holy Spirit.  And He came through big time.  I believe God spoke through Michelle…and it floored both her and silenced her professor.

“I think it’s sad that we live in a world where we base our identity solely on who we have sex with.”

So true Michelle. The biggest ‘gay issue’ is that it commodifies a person- that we are who we have sex with. “Hi, I’m Jay and I have sex with a woman named Michelle.” It takes the humanity out of the description and the equation.  No job, family, hopes, dreams, ambitions, hobbies, goals, vision, adventure, fun.  Just who we sleep with.  It’s so narrow and close-minded and shallow.  That’s the real issue here.

4. Address the hurt.

If the church focused on helping people receive healing- from past relationships, abuse, lack of good parenting, failures, hurt, broken dreams, others who’s condemned them….if the church focused on a restoration of humanity- we’d be much further along in being the hands and feet of Jesus to the gay community.

5. Lead towards Jesus with love.

1 Corinthians 6:11 gives us such hope:
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Tell your story.  We were all once in sin of some kind.  Tell your ‘Exodus story.’ About where you came from, the long hard journey, and the Promised Land.

Gay bashing and hating? A sure-fire way to ostracize an entire community of people.
Offering hope and the possibility of redemption? Now that’s a game-changer.

Jay

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