aspen
“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few
I know this is always a highly debated topic, usually it heats up to angry debate, which is a shame I think, since this is a Christian forum. There are people saying judge, others don't judge, some people saying denounce them, others saying leave them alone. But what does the Bible say?
[9] I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— [10] not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. [11] But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. [12] For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? [13] God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
(1 Corinthians 5:9-13 ESV)
I think this is quite clear! Homosexual people already know that Christians regard their lifestyles as sinful, so how does constantly fighting with them show them God's love, which might encourage them to listen more? To them we become nothing more than annoying hypocrites, which will drive them to despise us and God. We need to be there, lovingly for them, should they wish to know God more, which could lead them out of their sin.
But gay people in the Church?? This is wrong, it is more than wrong, it is saying we know better than God what is right and wrong. If there is a practicing homosexual within the Church then they need to repent and stop their behavior, or get out. That sounds unkind, but it is what the Bible says. We are to only hold people of the world to worldly standards, but judge people of the Church by Christian standards. It is the same for any immoral behavior yes? If a pastor or member was cheating on their spouse, they should be told to stop and repent, or leave.
Of course as Christians we need to strive to be loving to everyone, but no where in the bible does Christian = pushover. If we do not stand up for God and Godly standards, especially within the church, it will become more and more corrupt. We see in so many of the 'christian cults' that it only took 1 man thinking he knew better than God, that his views were more accurate than Gods, to lead so many people astray.
God's ways are so much better than our own, and Paul clearly says 'judge immorality within the church but not outside the church'. There is so much sin within the world that is labeled OK by the world, and Christians need to be beacons to them; of truth and love and repentance. We cannot do that if we declare war on them...it starts in our homes and in our churches and with Gods grace and the Holy Spirit then we can step out in friendship to those who are so lost.
Amen.