Recently, I communicated in a sermon, based upon the book of Second Timothy, chapter 3, verses 1-17, Christians will be persecuted by culture, but persecution must result in continual devotion to God's Word and integration of our culture. Furthermore, any persecution should not result in frustration nor a sense of victimization on the part of Christians. But, it appears that responding to victimization is proving to be quite effective.
Recently, an unprecidented Gallup poll indicated over 50% of the population agrees that gay and lesbian relationships are morally acceptable. Chuck Colson offers a compelling article on this survey at the following link, http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/14578. The homosexual community has had an agenda for contemporary culture to condone homosexual behavior. This agenda has been successful, in part, as they have portrayed themselves as victimized, often by Christians, who are "homo-phobic."
Ironically, Christians who still maintain that homosexuality is morally wrong are currently in the minority. I wonder if Christians will take a page out of the homosexual community play book and portray a victimized stance by homosexuals who happen to be "Christian-phobic." This would be an ironic turn of events, if not so tragic.
My suggestion for Christians may sound insincere and hypocritical to homosexuals, but I offer a different response for Christians. We should not see ourselves as against homosexuals. While homosexuality is still believed to be wrong by many Christians, homosexuality is no more or less wrong than any of the myriad of sins we Christians continue to commit. Thus as Christians we must never condone immorality, whether we commit it or someone else commits it. And, the only phobia, or fear that we need to maintain is not of homosexuals, but of God and God's instruction to creation. This is a reverent fear that enables us to walk humbly before God, be staunchly committed to God's Word, while clearly identifying what is immoral and living compassionately with one another.
Do these recent polls affect you in any way? If so, how? If not, why?
As a Christian community, let us consider how we feel about this increasingly favorable opinion towards homosexuality and the increasingly unfavorable opinion towards Christianity. How will we respond? Politically? Humbly? Indifferently?
Beams Away!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I do have concerns for the upcoming 2010 fall TV programs which I recently saw talked about. There will be several homosexuals portrayed in shows during prime time - even Lesbians kissing and men proposing marriage. What are we to think about all this? Do we want our children watching? And where is all this heading since it seems to be more and more common? I am concerned!
ReplyDelete