I just want to point out one thing. Are people hearing you when you say this? Or are they hearing, "God hates you?" Could we be trying very hard to make a valid point, only to push people away without intent?
In our Sunday School class, we discussed the implications of sin and how we are to look on sin. We also discussed how God looks at the sinner (all of us).
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."1 Cor 6:9-12 (NKJV)
This was the verse we looked at on Sunday. How many times is homosexuals mentioned? Now, is that the only sin recognized by Paul? How many of those sins have you been guilty of?
God does not have a special punishment for homosexuals nor a special judgment just for those who are not homosexual. God does punish sin, and those who do not accept His free gift of forgiveness will end up missing out on heaven. God also has a special eternal reward for those who are forgiven.
When we spend all our time focusing on and demonizing just one sin, we miss God's special provisions for all sinners. We miss the fact that all are guilty and fall short of God's glory. We miss the fact the those who fall short of God's glory all deserve to die. But most importantly, we miss the fact that God hates sin and hates it so much that He sent his Son, Jesus, to die! God did something about sin already.
What are we trying to add to His provision?
All things are permissible for me, but not all will lead me into God's kingdom. By accepting God's gift, His Son who died in my place, I have been given a place in the kingdom. This doesn't make me better than anyone else.
When I demonize just one sin and say it is the leading cause of God's punishment on my nation, I miss the point that there is not any sin that is acceptable to God. I diminish the cross, and I fail to see God's true purpose for all:
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
God is not willing that any should perish. God is very patient with all of us. 2000 years of patience has passed since the death of Jesus. But are we in the church in danger of turning back the clock because of our desire for moral uprightness instead of having a desire to show compassion?
Yes, God is a God of justice. But Jesus sits on the throne, not us. Our job is show the same compassion that Jesus showed to the "untouchable" of His time: the dead, the diseased, the adulterer, the thieves, and us.
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