Post by Mike Miller on Jul 8, 2015 11:32:33 GMT -5
A church member sent me a private message with the following question, and I got her permission to post it here:
"I have a question on how to respond when asked a certain question about homosexuality. I have been asked a few times "if no sin is greater than another and we all sin then how is homosexuality any different from the sins we commit daily" and I've been told that we are being judgemental on homosexual couples. It really bugs me when someone says we are judging. Stating what our bible says is not judging. I would love your input.
Here's how I answered:
Hi! For one thing, it's silly for people to say to you that one sin is not worse than another. For example, murder is much worse than gluttony. Child molestation is much worse than disobeying parents. Moreover, regardless of the sin, we as Christians should never want to normalize or celebrate sin. Let's say someone says to you that all sins are equal (which they aren't) and that gluttony (I'm just picking a sin few people think about) is on the same level as homosexuality. Would we celebrate people who eat themselves into an early grave? Would we say to the 400 pound person with diabetes, clogged arteries, and failing organs, "I just want you to be happy. If eating six pizzas a day makes you happy, then I'm happy." Or how about this. If all sins are equal, let's celebrate child molesters and adulterers and let's be happy for them just being who they are. That line of reasoning is silly.
As for judging, of course I'm judging. I don't mind saying that adultery, murder, pedophilia, theft, domestic abuse, and a host of other things are wrong. I willingly pass judgment on murderers, thieves, disobedient children, and homosexuals. That doesn't mean I'm hateful or arrogant. It just means that I know right from wrong. I have gay friends that I love. I don't hate them. I love them and want better for them. How loving is it for me to celebrate behavior that is destructive and separates people from God? How loving is it for me to encourage people to find their identity in their sexual desires instead of in Christ? Because I love, I will judge rightly, and I will advocate for better for my gay friends. As a Christian, I have no other compassionate option.
"I have a question on how to respond when asked a certain question about homosexuality. I have been asked a few times "if no sin is greater than another and we all sin then how is homosexuality any different from the sins we commit daily" and I've been told that we are being judgemental on homosexual couples. It really bugs me when someone says we are judging. Stating what our bible says is not judging. I would love your input.
Here's how I answered:
Hi! For one thing, it's silly for people to say to you that one sin is not worse than another. For example, murder is much worse than gluttony. Child molestation is much worse than disobeying parents. Moreover, regardless of the sin, we as Christians should never want to normalize or celebrate sin. Let's say someone says to you that all sins are equal (which they aren't) and that gluttony (I'm just picking a sin few people think about) is on the same level as homosexuality. Would we celebrate people who eat themselves into an early grave? Would we say to the 400 pound person with diabetes, clogged arteries, and failing organs, "I just want you to be happy. If eating six pizzas a day makes you happy, then I'm happy." Or how about this. If all sins are equal, let's celebrate child molesters and adulterers and let's be happy for them just being who they are. That line of reasoning is silly.
As for judging, of course I'm judging. I don't mind saying that adultery, murder, pedophilia, theft, domestic abuse, and a host of other things are wrong. I willingly pass judgment on murderers, thieves, disobedient children, and homosexuals. That doesn't mean I'm hateful or arrogant. It just means that I know right from wrong. I have gay friends that I love. I don't hate them. I love them and want better for them. How loving is it for me to celebrate behavior that is destructive and separates people from God? How loving is it for me to encourage people to find their identity in their sexual desires instead of in Christ? Because I love, I will judge rightly, and I will advocate for better for my gay friends. As a Christian, I have no other compassionate option.