Focus

I’ve been doing a lot of studying lately about the issue of being gay and Christianity.  At times I’ve been very enthusiastic about my studying, almost like I’ve been on a treasure hunt and finding gems in the Bible that reveal new revelations about this homosexuality issue.  Through all this studying, praying, and seeking, my mind often drifts to the question… “Is it a sin?”  I’ve wondered if my graduate school professor was right, and many others I’ve heard or read, that the homosexual issue is the modern day version of the civil rights and woman suffrage movements.  It has so many similarities.  Gays certainly are discriminated against.  They definitely have been hurt by bigotry and hatred.  They certainly need and deserve the good news message of Jesus.  We all do.

Yesterday one of those life impactful events that you will never forget occurred.  This morning I could see it is all a part of God’s plan and that it is not unrelated to this issue I’ve been writing about.  God has a plan for mine and my daughters lives that is bigger and better than any of us could ever imagine.  His way is clearly superior.  He is healing us, refining us, changing our hearts, and sanctifying us.

So, this major event and God’s revelation to me this morning, is shifting my focus back to where I believe He wants me to be.  Not focused on “is it a sin”, but on love.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  (Colossians 3:12-15)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt of love one another for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Romans 13:8-9)

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8)

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless on the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)