What Kind of Jesus Are We Sharing?

Scripture: "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven". (Matthew 5:16)

This will probably be one of the most controversial blogs I've ever written because despite all of us calling ourselves Christian, I am learning that Christians across the nation disagree with what is right, what is wrong, what is sin, and what is not. Some Christians believe in abortion and gay rights, while others are emphatically against these issues.

As you read this, I'm not trying to get anyone to change their point of view, and I'm not telling you whether you are right or wrong. The spirit in which I write my blogs is to share with you my own personal observations, my struggles and life experiences, always to encourage and build up the body. I like to give cause for contemplation, as well as sharing with you my own uncertainty about issues. So it is never my intention to create division or dissension.

A few things have recently inspired me to write this blog. One is a book I'm reading where a teenaged boy is badgered, bullied and called names so much throughout his life, that when they begin to question his sexuality he begins to wonder to himself: "Do they see something I don't? Maybe I am and don't know it ..."

I also bring up this topic because I live in California and it's a huge deal here as our court system is fighting between giving homosexuals the right to marry or not. As a Christian, I'm against the idea of giving them the right to marry. Don't get me wrong: I don't feel any animosity towards homosexuals, nor do I feel they deserve any unjust treatment. However, I don't agree with their lifestyle - any more than a drug addict, an alcoholic or a kleptomaniac. My belief is not an act or attitude of hostility, but it's what I believe God has written in the bible that has shaped my opinion.

Conversely, it also breaks my heart to see people professing Christianity carrying picket signs in the street with "God hates (derogatory name)". Signs stating homosexuals are going to hell, all the while shouting within an angry mob all because they are "right" and homosexuals are "wrong." They are quick to throw up the scripture in Leviticus that states homosexuality is "an abomination in the eyes of God".

My heart grieves, as I'm sure God's does as well - at this representation of Who God is. What kind of God do these people serve, I wonder? What is their view of our Almighty Savior, Rescuer, Healer, Counselor? What kind of witness is this? What kind of loving example of Jesus Christ are they spreading? I Peter 3:15-16 states clearly, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

I also find it hurtful that there are many, many "abominations" listed in the bible, but people like to throw this one out as some kind of "proof" of God's "hatred" for certain kinds of sinners and sin. As one example, Proverbs 6:16-19 says "There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers." Yet you don't see angry mobs holding picket signs and screaming about THESE daily abominations, do you?

All non believers need to be shown the light; gently, lovingly, the way Jesus came and walked with the sinners. Where in the bible did Christ ever spread His Father's word with disdain towards those he was addressing? We must never forget that sin is a condition of the heart that every human being without Christ has within them. Sin is not a curse or a scourge that needs to be driven out of people. God has given us all hope for a future with Him through repentance, and as ambassadors of Christ, we have no right to browbeat those who don't know Him yet. After all, Jesus ate with the sinners, broke bread with them, showed them His Father's love by example. He never attacked them.

If I were to attempt to coax a stray dog into my home, would I come towards it yelling, stamping my feet, banging pots and pans and shouting angrily, "Dog!! You are so lost and hopeless!! Get over here dog, right now!!!! Get into my house or you will DIE out here!!"

What message would I be giving the dog about what kind of OWNER I would be? How is that drawing him in, gaining his trust, showing him love and tenderness? We live in a hurting world. Non believers often come from hurt places and certainly they aren't going to come to the Lord through anger and disdain, shouts and pickets with horrible messages emblazoned on them. What kind of God is being represented to them, and why would they want to serve Him?

I know so many who have been hurt by religion, and their view of God has been so distorted and twisted, causing them to turn away from any idea of a good God. We live in a hurting and wounded world. We live in a world of "stray dogs" who have been betrayed by those who were supposed to take care of them and protect them. How are we going to pull non believers out of the world and into the kingdom? Do we take them by force? Were YOU taken by force? Are we going to picket their homes, chase them down the street, shouting angrily at them? We aren't given license to terrorize non believers, regardless of WHAT their "sin issue" is. What kind of Christians would any of us be if we were terrorized into serving God?

It's my own personal experience that most of the gay people I know - and I have acquaintances and family members who are - have been deeply wounded, sexually, emotionally and/or physically abused, or harshly labeled in childhood so consistently, they start to believe they are whatever names kids call them. They are so empty and wounded inside and need love so badly they will look for any semblance of love, affection and attention in any shape or form it comes, and often, in their own desperation, they find it in ways that are sinful to us - but sadly, comforting to them.

Gay. What a strange dichotomy, for though "gay" used to me mean "happy, cheerful or joyous", most of the gay individuals I know or have met have been the most miserable and unhappy people I know, hiding behind alcoholism and drug addiction. It breaks my heart, because their addiction and state of mind comes from a place of unresolved, deep wounding.

I know Christians who believe homosexuality is a born trait. To be honest, my own opinion is still out on that. Some people are born with missing limbs, club feet, heroin addiction, mental illnesses and down syndrome. Is sexual identity not a mental and physiological condition someone can be born with? The jury is still out and I am merely posing the question. I have no answer. I bet every reader has his or her own unique opinion.

What I do know is this - we are to love those around us and show God's love and mercy to those who are walking in darkness. We need to be the best ambassadors of our loving Christ we can be!

Prayer request: For believers among us to have more compassion towards those we have a difficult time in understanding why they live, think and behave as they do.

Prayer: Father, we live in a tough world. We ask you to open our eyes to those who need to be shown your love and mercy more by our tender actions than by any kind of shaming, judging or convincing words. Show us how to be your ambassadors, teach us to win souls by using gentleness and respect towards others. Draw each of us close to you as we interact with those in so much need in the world. Amen