Barfbag material.... "and such were some of you"

[devilgrrl]

More words of wisdom from an "ex-gay"

have you seen the Evangeltees t-shirt, "and such were some of you"?

The shirt was meant to be a positive statement in regards to ex-gay ministry, reparative therapy, and the healing power of Jesus Christ --- NOT to be a condemning statement towards gays. Yet, this was the opinion of Google Adwords as they cited this particular shirt as one of the reasons why my ad campaign was suspended.

I liken my argument to the Gospel itself - how can you preach on the promises of heaven without warning of the dangers of hell? hell gives heaven so much more meaning!

So as far as the so-called "hate message" conveyed by those offering support and a hope to those trapped in the gay lifestyle.... the truth is that you can't fully show a person how glorious Jesus Christ is unless you first convince them how deep in doodoo they are!

People who don't know they are in trouble or realize exactly how much trouble they are in very rarely cry for help. Does this mean we just sit back and let them totally destroy themselves? Do we just go along our merry way, turn a blind eye and say, "well, they'll learn." or "they'll get what they got coming to them." Or do we refuse to be the hands, feet, and mouth, and just say, "well, the Lord will take care of the issue."

Or do we take a chance, risk stepping on a few toes or ruffling some feathers, in hopes that maybe one - just one - will listen to the great hope offered to them.

I tend to lean towards being a Bible thumpin' knuckle head myself. My presentation may seem a bit hard-hitting to some, but a lot of it has to do with my personality. Before I was a Bible thumpin' knuckle-head, I was a radical left-wing feminazi! "Non-confrontational moderate" was never a part of my make-up. Not that there's anything wrong with people who are.... but I think the Lord knew what He was doing when He created people in many varieties!!!

But the Lord hones us. Bible thumpers need to learn the finer points of how and how much! And non-confronters need to be encouraged to step up to the plate when necessary.

So, all that to say - "and such were some of you" - is a good thing. Especially to those WITHIN the body of Christ who need to be educated that there is hope for those among the elect who struggle with the issue of homosexuality.

When He calls us, we come to Him as we are. He doesn't say, "Come see me AFTER you get your act together." How unfortunate that the church forces it's will and it's timing on those who are truely called by Him. What ever happened to grace and mercy? God affords us sooooo much grace, yet we extend so little to those we feel uncomfortable to be around.

To be perfectly honest with you, I felt the Lord tugging on my heart (before I was saved) - I didn't know what it was - but I felt the need to want to look into going to church. But because of my sin nature, the first church I looked into was a United Church of Christ. I had heard that they "welcomed" gays. I had no clue what they taught - I was an un-churched person - I didn't even have the slightest clue at the time that Jesus was God! All I knew was I wanted to go someplace where I felt welcomed and accepted.

If a stranger, an obviously homosexual person or couple for that matter were to walk into your church on a typical Sunday morning, would they feel welcome? Would they be greeted and invited to return? Or would they get the glance, and hear the murmuring?

I'm not saying that the truth of God's word regarding homosexuality shouldn't be preached from the pulpit. NO WAY am I even implying that. But can we as the body have a God's eye view of the sin and still embrace the sinner? There are so many churches out of balance in regards to the gay issue. Some fear preaching against it and others take delight in chasing homosexuals out the front door, onto the street, and back into the arms of Satan - who leads them up the street to a "gay affirming" church.

Now granted - even a welcoming, loving, caring church which preaches the whole truth - will leave a sour taste in the mouth of a homosexual offender who is NOT led by the Spirit of God to hear and accept the truth. Unfortunately, as with any stubbornly unrepentant sinner, sad as it may be - you must let them go into the world and hope the Lord calls them back. BUT for those who are called - are they being chased away, because of you're judgmental attitude towards them in your heart (which, by the way - you are advertising like a billboard on your sleeve.) Whether you speak it or not, hurt people have a keen sense of rejection.

[devilgrrl]

1. kick for stupidity's sake...

:kick: stupidity