If you keep up with such things, this past week the mayor of
Houston subpoenaed the sermon texts, notes, or speeches of five area pastors
that preached on LGBT issues. Citing possible violation of an ordinance that
was passed back in May of this year, she was concerned that the pastors were
using their pulpits to influence people to sign petitions in order to get the
ordinance overturned. Although this incident does not allude to what is being
called hate speech it certainly raises questions as to what will be next in the
attempt to control what pastors can preach to their people in regards to social
issues. How much influence can be regulated when it comes to pastors leading
their churches?
It makes no difference how many times we as Christians say
that we love sinners regardless of what sins they may commit we are still
labeled as haters if we do not agree with their beliefs. They will not accept
the fact that these beliefs we hold are not our opinions but are based on what
we believe to be the Word of God. I find it hypocritical that it is okay with
society that we are against murder, rape, and incest but we should be tolerant
of abortion and homosexuality. If we preach against murder the government is
all for it. If we preach against tax evasion as stealing the government is all
for it. If we preach against sexual immorality, in any form, we are haters. If Jesus
were on earth today preaching His message in person He would be cited as using
hate speech. He said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a
person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NIV). We understand that He was
teaching that our love for Him must be first and foremost in comparison to our
love for self or others. I have even heard some preachers say that Jesus never
said anything about LGBT issues. The worst thing that happened in our
translation of the Scriptures is when the words of Jesus in the Gospels were
printed in red. It gives the impression that those words are the only ones
Jesus spoke. I guess Saint John was wrong when he wrote, “For if you believed
Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47). Or how about, “He who is of God
hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of
God.” (John 8:47). Then of course we have, “And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). [Underlines are mine]. This
might be a newsflash for some of you; if it is in the Bible, Jesus says it. He
is in total agreement with everything written in that Book; He, the Father, and
the Holy Spirit are all One, and the Holy Spirit inspired men and women to put
those words on the parchments.
As a pastor I feel my responsibility to my congregation is
to teach them what God says to all of us in this modern day society. Yes, He is
a loving, merciful, caring, patient, and forgiving God. He is also a just God;
that means He has standards that He requires of His followers and if we violate
those standards (and we all have and do) the only forgiveness we have is found
through faith in His Son; Jesus. At the foot of the Cross the ground is level. None
are on “higher ground” or “lower ground” in His eyes regardless of what sins we
need forgiveness for. I had rather someone be upset with me because I tell them
they are headed for hell without Jesus than have Jesus be upset with me for not
telling them should they end up there.
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