Thoughts from a Random Mind

 

                  It’s an unfortunate reality that if one church or one believer or denomination does something that goes against the flow of society, ALL Christians are painted with the same brush. If that person or group acts like this or that then ALL Christians must be that way or feel that way. That is NOT TRUE. Christians are human, just like non-believers. Cut us and we bleed.  We make mistakes with the best of ‘em.  

                  So when I see Christianity stereo-typed in a subtle way on a Lifetime movie, I bristle. The movie showed the family in church, establishing the fact that they are Christians, I suppose. So the issue in the movie, in a nutshell, is that their teenage daughter (16-ish) has romantic feelings for girls. Her parents suspect she’s with a boy, grill her on what the heck is going on with her, because she’s been AWOL. Staying over at her significant others place over night on occasion. The daughter, to keep her parents from assuming she’s sleeping with a boy, blurts out that she likes girls. The parents are shocked to say the least. Her mother shouts, “NO YOU DON’T!” The daughter says yes she does, and both parents are visibly distraught over this news. In a rage, her mother screams for her to “GET OUT!!” So her parents kicked her out of their house over this. 

                  I was very sad to see the parents reaction. Now I’m a believer in Christ. Have been for over 40 years. I understand that homosexuality is a hot button, highly controversial topic and I can’t say that it would please me to find out that type of news from one of my daughters, but to reject your daughter rather than love them through this situation is just plain wrong. It’s not biblical at all. 

                  Do I believe homosexuality is a sin? Yes, I do. The lifestyle. God LOVES all of His creation and as His children, we are to love them as well. Love and respect all peoples; and I do. The LGBTQ are just like any other societal group. I’ve known many in my life through work and have treated them like I would anyone else. I don’t believe God made people to be gay. I believe that the enemy has placed unnatural desires within the hearts and minds of a multitude of people throughout the world.

                  I don’t happen to believe that there are big and little sins. The condition of one’s heart tells the Lord where they stand on issues. To practice a gay lifestyle is no worse than murder, robbery, selling or taking drugs .... But to shun your own child over this particular issue, is not what a Christian should do. And ALL CHRISTIANS ARE NOT ALIKE. Having homosexual inclinations but never acting on them is different and THAT is between that person and God. I do not pretend to know what the right answer is here, but I do have my thoughts based on how I believe scripture should be interpreted. 

                  It’s a complicated issue, without a doubt, but telling someone they are going to hell or even implying that is so wrong. People go to hell for their rejection of Christ. Period.  But I don’t believe a person can claim to be a follower of Christ and live a life of sin. 

                  Having said all this, I’d like to end with this. God is the only One who knows the content and motive of a person’s heart. We do not. I do not. So I refuse to judge those who disagree with my take of following Christ, and I also refuse to judge those who live in sin. It is between them and God. Christ died for them and wishes for them to renounce their sin and come into the light of His forgiveness and love. That is an individual’s choice. 

                  The media will never stop trying to make Christianity something that it is not. And a lot of people will never darken the door of a church because of the lies told about religion. Many others are simply not interested in accepting Jesus into their life. Fine. That also is an individual’s choice. Just understand that if Christianity is true and accurate, then those who simply don’t want to will end up apart from God forever. Am I right, am I wrong? Only God knows, but I am trying to be fair in my assessment of things and elevate, not denigrate

                  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

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