Humilty yields obedience

If we would begin to live in humility, I wonder how much differently we would treat other people. There are so many different forms that pride takes; in fact, it is the basis of every sin. If we had a truly reverent fear of God, would we disobey Him? No, we would not. But we begin to think that something else could possibly be better. Because, whether we admit and/or realise it or not, we think we know better than God does. He says, "Do not do that. It will hurt you," yet we decide to anyway, thinking that the moment of pleasure could not possibly be harmful. How blind are we really to our pride? I think more than we know. "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6) If only we would clothe ourselves in humility more often! Not only would our walk with God be so much more blessed, but maybe we would begin to truly esteem others better than ourselves. How often do we treat someone differently once we know about a certain sin that they have done or are continuing to do? To cite an example, look at how we scorn those who practise homosexuality! There is no different gospel that they need. They are not, in essence, any different from anyone else. What were you before you came to Christ? You were a sinner. There is not a different gospel for the "really bad sinners." Christ died once for all sin. You need nothing less, and nothing more than His innocent blood to save you. And it is the same with gay-identified people. But why can Christians be so hateful in their treatment of LGBT people? Just because you may not have struggled with the same things they have does not make you any better. They need love. We all need love. It was love that motivated Christ to sacrifice His life to save us from eternal Hell. Soak that in. Love is our salvation. We were going to Hell, but He loved us, wretched sinners that we were, and called us His own. Now, what right have we to look down upon those who have sinned in some way we have not? They have no more guilt. "For whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10) We never know who struggles with what. Because there are some things we never will say to each other. Christians are not immune to homosexual feelings. We do not choose what our flesh says. We do not choose our temptations. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:12, 13) We just choose what we do with them. And loving them, and dwelling on them is still idolising them, for when they are at the front of our thoughts, how can God possibly exist there, among the darkness? A gay person is no less deserving of love. The Truth is we are all sinners and Christ died for our sins. When one truly realises that, their 'I would never do that's quickly die; for at the foot of the cross, pride cannot possibly exist. Did Christ have to die a different death for certain sins? No! It was one death that triumphed all sin once and for all. Now I hope that thinking about this will make us realise the hatred needs to stop. Yes, that means the demeaning names, the crude jokes, etc. It is not funny. When it comes to God, you are either a sinner or a sinner cleansed by the blood of Christ. Christians need not be afraid to step outside of the socially-accepted boundaries in order to love. I do not condone homosexuality. But neither do I see people only for their sins. I mean, gosh, if you all knew what I have done…I would not have any friends! I do not support sin. I support people. Remember, Jesus astounded many when he talked to the woman at the well in John 4—the woman was surprised and so were His disciples. Yeah, some people might treat you differently when you choose to love someone who is gay. But whose approval are you looking for? And maybe those you befriend who are gay will be surprised. Some do not even realise that a Christian can, in fact, be loving. The hatred stops here. I will not tolerate any sort of hatred toward my gay friends.

The focus of this post is not homosexuality--it is an example. My main point here is that it is pride that is the source of our sin.

22 August 2007