Wednesday, March 24, 2004
|
Wednesday, March 24, 2004 |
| Gays and the church: What would Jesus do? By JOHN HATCHER The church and the homosexual community: we have a difficult time with one another. We are often uncomfortable even talking with one another. We often believe distortions of each other’s convictions and lifestyles. I can believe that gay men and women have a difficult time understanding the conservative church view. To such an extent that they interpret the church’s position as an outright condemnation — you’re going to hell — of their lifestyle. Often times because of that perception gay men and women don’t give the church the time of day. They just believe we have it in for them and there’s no changing that. On the other hand, the conservative church — with which I usually identify myself — seems to propound a fixed and focused dogma on what we perceive as a unique sin and that being homosexual sex. Perhaps it is because the gay community has taken to the streets and thrown their sexuality into our living rooms via the evening news that the church has equally called out its resources to fight this one sin and all that to which we say it will lead. Let me share some thoughts for my brothers and sisters in the church community and then some thoughts to those who are gay. The church has campaigned for years on the theme, WWJD (What would Jesus do?). There’s no way skirting the question as the church interfaces with the homosexuals: what would Jesus do? The Gospel Writers clearly indicate that Jesus consistently got into trouble with the religious big shots because he actually engaged in table fellowship with known sinners and with known tax collectors (who were always sinful because they were always crooked). Some of the known sinners became public followers of Jesus: Zacchaeus and Matthew. I am pretty confident that many people who attended Jesus parties did not deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. Yet, the church must get it within its seeing range that Jesus had fellowship with people whom the culture had thrown away. Jesus had no difficulty relating to people on the other side of culture’s righteousness line. Jesus exuded and expressed love to everyone, mainly because the scope of his mission included everyone. Jesus died for gay people as well as white people as well as rich people as well as crooked people. What would happen if the church began treating gay men and women as Jesus in all probability treated them while he was on planet earth: with love, compassion, and yes, acceptance. I believe the church must return to its redemptive roots and get off its high horse of judgment. Our goal should be to get people to Jesus and let the power of the Holy Spirit deal with each man, woman, and child in his own sovereignty. As one insightful lady in Bible study said, “We try to clean the fish before we get them in the boat.” Now a word to the gay community: try to find a compassionate, Bible believing church and start attending — even with your partner. If the church is doing things like Jesus would want, there will be no condemnation for you in Christ Jesus. At least, that’s what the Bible says! Let us get to know you as real people with real hurts and needs, not just another face in a protest march. Let us get to know you not by your sexual orientation but by your personality, your ups and downs, and by your heritage — that means you have a Mama and Daddy just like the rest of us. You will have to take a risk in trusting that some church out there will accept you where you are in your life and be committed to seeing God’s will totally fulfilled in your life. I believe there are churches like that and they are not just the “metropolitan” churches that minister exclusively to gays and lesbians. Now, for the critical eye that reads this column, let me add a few thoughts. As a conservative student of the Bible I believe homosexuality is rendered as sinful, but not alone. Malicious gossip that has destroyed reputations is equally as sinful. Adultery, often found among church leadership, is equally as sinful. Working to destroy the ministry of a pastor is equally as sinful. But to one and all Jesus makes this pitch: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message Bible). That should be the church’s goal: get people to Jesus and let them walk with him. He will do the rest. John Hatcher is pastor of Outreach International Center, 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215. 770-719-0303. |
