I have had people ask "How do you justify being a Christian and having a gay friend?"
Well...this is the way that I see it. In order to answer this question, I will use the following as a barometer, 1) That being gay is a sin, 2)We shouldn't be friends with those that sin. Neither of these is for me to judge but the question asked seemed to imply that belief.
I am not here to debate whether being gay is right or wrong. I am only stating my belief...
1) I am a sinner! I sin daily. I wake up every morning and pray that I do not sin THAT day. I go to bed every night and ask God to forgive me for the multitude of sins that I committed THAT day. Why should he be my friend? I can't go one day without sinning!
2) Jesus' buddies were sinners...some of the worst kinds! He hung out with the tax collectors and prostitutes. Here's the thing...according to the Bible, a sin is a sin! So how do we justify that our sins are any less condemning than any one else's sin?
3) I truly believe that Jesus wants us to just love one another! I believe there are more verses in the Bible teaching us how to love one another with all our hearts and souls than verses that teach us how to judge. One of my favorite verses about loving one another is Ephesians 4:2:
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love"
For me, this verse shows compassion. "With all humility and gentleness" I believe that we cannot show humility and gentleness while, at the same time, judging one another! Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone followed this one verse? Imagine how much love would be in the world at any given moment.
4) Love really is the answer. This friend of mine...he truly knows how to love others. He cares for his 85 yr. old father and 80 yr. old aunt, and the family lives together. He works a full-time job but still manages to get them to doctor appointments, take them to the seniors center so they can have interaction with others, cares for the house and all the chores that go along with that, and makes sure that there is food on the table for them. He LOVES them...and shows his love through his actions. He amazes me the way that he loves on everyone that he comes into contact with. He knows no stranger and is not afraid or embarrassed to show his love. He knows how to put a smile on a stranger's face. He knows how to let you know that you have value in his life and remembers to tell you that he loves you often. In so many ways, HE has taught ME how to love others!
So, the answer to the question...how do I justify being his friend and being a Christian? I don't need to justify it. I just need to love him and others. I need not spend energy trying to judge and condemn others for their sins. It is not for me to judge. Any sins that he may have are between him and God...just the same as my sins are between me and God.
All any of us can do is love one another...and love one another well! Our lives and actions should be a testament to our love to God and our thankfulness that our sins are forgiven by Him...because He sent His son to die for each one of us...and NONE OF US DESERVE IT!
Carry on, people! And love like there is no tomorrow!!!
I LOVE this post in every way possible. I think for most people it is easier to judge than to love because loving others puts us in a vulernable position. One thing I do know with all certainty is your friend is a wonderful person. He made me laugh and have more fun the other day than I've allowed myself to do in a long time. God loves us ALL in spite of ourselves...which is a really good thing in my case. :) Thank you, dear one, for sharing your love with me as well.
ReplyDelete"All we need is love..." Okay, that's the Beatles but it's still true. And if there is one thing that I learned from the bible study that I did (what was it called?)was that God put Jesus on earth to teach us how to love one another. Well said, my friend.
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