Could you help me with this dilemma?
Seems as if in order not to offend folks we can no longer offer an alternative opinion or counter their argument with facts.
In a recent 52 Week Plan article I told of how I was awakened to the horrors of slavery, of abortion, and, now, of sex trafficking. Most of you readers would agree pretty strongly that those things are not only wrong but horrifying in their dark consequences. Right? Each of those practices had a starting place and slipped down the slope into the dark practices they have become.
Please note that I didn’t say that I hated those who had slaves, have had an abortion, or violated children. Hating the sin and still loving the sinner is the way Jesus looks at us. Romans 5:8 makes that clear. Apparently one can love a person while vehemently disagreeing with his/her practices or policies.
None of the sins we have committed or commit are OK. I believe that each one hurts the heart of God, hurts us individually sooner or later, and will probably do damage to others in one form or another. My sin and our sin caused Jesus to die a horrible death to pay the debt our sin created. So God hates the sins we commit because they cheapen life, cause pain, and interfere with the blessings of loving relationships God wants with us and for us to have with one another.
One of the ways I know some of the “movements” in our culture are wrong is by following the naturally occurring consequences of those and similar behaviors from past – distant and not-so-distant. Look at the lonely, bitter ends so many have experienced by rejecting God’s way to follow one that “seemed” more tolerant or kinder…at the time.
I know that God’s standard for love and marriage has not been clearly applied in many homes and societies in the past, but that doesn’t make it wrong. It means we did not know how or chose not to apply His love properly – loving Him with all our heart, and loving others as we love ourselves. When His love rules a life, the outcomes are so much more life-giving and worth whatever pain it took to get there.
I have determined to do my best to follow God’s Word and love my wife as Christ loves me and give myself for her by making sure her needs are a higher priority than mine. I will love my children and grandchildren by God’s grace in ways that will let them clearly know how valuable they are to me and to God. I plan to be kind, forgiving, and speak truth in love to them. I plan to rejoice with them when they rejoice and mourn with them when they mourn. I want to be a man who gives a soft answer so that I don’t stir up anger. I want to be a man who speaks the truth but speaks it in love. I want to” be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within me yet with gentleness and respect”. When I fall short of those commands and personal goals, I plan to ask for forgiveness and seek to change my behavior.
There is no excuse for the shameful direction too many in our culture have taken and are seeking to take our children, but I will pray and serve those who are tirelessly working to strengthen homes and lead people to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and others.
I know the difference Jesus makes in a life and a family. I have seen and am seeing the differences lived out in our family and in many families we know. I praise God for His mercy toward me and us. I owe Jesus everything, knowing that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights”.
I am sad that our society is trying to make normal what God never intended us to practice. So many are lost, confused, and alone in their pain and suffering – self-inflicted or inflicted by others. What will we do about it? Let’s start by practicing what we preach…starting at home then influencing others to come to this loving Savior Jesus for forgiveness, mercy, power, and hope.