As Christians continue involving
themselves in the public policy arena and in political debate concerning gay
issues they may discover they are contributing to widening the “great divide”
between the church, and it’s GOD-given mission, and a large group of people
whom God loves.
Let me first clear the air about
what I believe about the Bible before you turn me off. I believe the Bible is ultimate truth and
authority. I believe everything GOD says
as He addresses His purposes concerning human sexuality. I also believe it is critically important for
both sides on the gay debate to enter into authentic relationships and to
dialogue with one another in nonthreatening ways.
As I processed the senseless acts
of terror in Boston recently I tried to understand what terrorists hoped to
gain or accomplish by their horrific cowardly acts of indiscriminate violence
on innocent people. In the end it seems
terrorism does not gain the sought after results. It seems when Americans are attacked in these
ways we are brought closer together; we become more unified and patriotic; we
seem to rise up with even greater resolve; we are made stronger not weaker.
This observation made me think
about the tactics and methods some churches and Christians use in trying to
sway unbelievers and gay people to embrace biblical standards (I’m not
suggesting churches or Christians are terrorists). Some of these tactics and methods are
impersonal evangelism, politics, and debate, etc. Very often these tactics are carried out with an attitude of judgmentalism,
condemnation and religious self-righteousness.
These methods and attitudes will not be productive in reaching our culture.
Why would we expect unbelievers,
who do not possess HOLY SPIRIT, to embrace GOD’s purposes and truths when the
things of GOD can only be spiritually understood (1 Corinthians 2:14). Unbelievers or “a natural man/woman” are
simply acting out of their nature . . . who they are apart from Christ. The “natural man” believes the things of GOD
are foolish. The “natural man” responds
to the methods and attitudes of many Christians with anger and they recoil away
from Christ and the church. Solomon understood
this spiritual truth when he wrote: “A
gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). They will seek out others who will love them
and accept them and support them.
It seems the Church and Christian
community would learn from Jesus’ experiences and examples. It is clear throughout the gospels (there are
numerous examples) that Jesus attracted sinners, tax collectors, immoral people
and outcasts of His day though He never embraced their sinful behavior. The people Jesus had problems with were the
self-righteous religious zealots who were condemning and making judgments
against the very same people Jesus engaged.
Unfortunately, many in the church today have missed this and have become
guilty of making the same mistakes of the Pharisees. As a result, what I call “the great divide,”
between the lost unbelieving culture and GOD’s redemptive message has greatly
widened and deepened.
It is important that the
followers of Jesus embrace His method of reaching a belligerent culture . . .
authentic unconditional self-sacrificing love (agape) coupled with the message
of the Gospel of Christ.
It is important to understand
what the Gospel of Christ is and what it is not. It is not simply getting people to recite a
“sinner’s prayer” so that when they die they will go to heaven. The Gospel of Christ . . . GOD’s redemptive
work . . . affects every part of our
lives here and now. Though it includes
our eternal destiny it impacts our lives as we live in this difficult world. How can anyone survive or keep their sanity
in this world of pain and suffering without embracing the authentic Gospel of
Jesus and without walking in faith that trusts in the goodness and faithfulness
of a loving and present GOD?
Paul said: “For I am not ashamed
of the gospel, for [IT] is the power of GOD for salvation to everyone who
believes . . . “ (Romans 1:16). The
power of GOD to impact lives and to redeem a lost soul both now and for
eternity is the Gospel of Christ . . . not politics, arguments, debate,
protests, judgmentalism or a condemning attitude. All of these methods and attitudes cheapen
the gospel and its power.
When asked by Jesus, “Who do
[you] say that I am?” Peter cried out, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
living GOD!” Jesus replied, “I also say
to you that you are Peter (Petros—rock-man), and upon this rock (Petra—a feminine
word for “rock” not a name; Jesus was using a play on words) I will build My
church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:13-19). This is the gospel message of Christ.
The most effective way to
confront our culture with this amazing truth of GOD is to be pro-active and
intentional in cultivating authentic relationships with people in our community
where we live; not simply having an acquaintance type relationship but an
authentic transparent intimate relationship with our neighbors (Matthew
5:43-44; Luke 10:29-37; Galatians 5:14).
As we experience authentic relationships with lost people next door we
will then have many opportunities to share with them what we have heard Jesus
teach us and what we have seen Jesus do in our lives. (Matthew 11:2-6).
As we cultivate these authentic
relationships with lost neighbors and as we have opportunity to share the
authentic gospel of Christ, HOLY SPIRIT will have opportunity to work the work
that only He can perform . . . and the very gates of hell will not be able to
resist. This is the Good News . . . this
is the power of the Gospel of Christ Jesus . . . this is the Church being the
Church.
