Some Thoughts

Last week, I came across letters to the newspaper editors regarding same-sex relationships:

“Contrary to the three letter-writers who expressed their opposition to same-sex love, the Bible does support all love, period. Although we gay people are a minority in the human population, we are still part of God’s good and diverse creation. And all love finds its source in God, our creator. Jesus Himself did not discriminate when he issued the invitation to ‘love one another.’ Since all love knows no boundaries, the heterosexual majority does not have any monopoly on loving.”

“I’m a Christian, and I believe in same-sex marriage. I also believe Christ challenges us to have a personal relationship with God that far exceeds the written word. As Christians, our collective faith needs to evolve as our understanding of God’s love evolves. It’s a cold and lonely faith that lives only between the covers of a book.”

“If people stayed true to Scripture, stoning would still be an acceptable punishment for common misdemeanours. Those who try to introduce scriptural ideas into modern society are trying to set back the progress of mankind. They ignore the facts and logic that now guide the pursuit of freedom, justice, and human happiness as a right equally available to all.”

Of these three letters, the most disturbing to me is the second one. “[P]ersonal relationship with God that far exceeds the written word” has to be the most ignorant comment made by a “Christian.” It's true that having a personal relationship with Jesus is very important, but did John not write, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)? How can God be separated from the Bible? Perhaps the last line this writer wrote can be interpreted that faith without action is useless, but the Bible is our guide and by it can we understand truth in this turbulent and obviously confused world. Although, I agree that “our understanding of God’s love evolves” as we mature in our faith, our actual faith should not evolve, but rather should stand firm in the never-changing constant on whom we can call Lord, God Almighty.

Sadly, many people agree with the third writer that “scriptural ideas…are trying to set back the progress of mankind.” I’ve heard that argument several times, but I guess when worldly people walk backwards, they think everyone else who are heading in the right direction would be going the wrong way.

At first I was outraged while reading these letters; these people are twisting the words right out of God’s mouth! But, then I must remember to fight the Spiritual warfare with prayer, true godly love, and knowing the Word. I believe that as ambassadors of Christ, if we are to make any difference in this world for His kingdom, we must speak louder than the self-serving individuals of the secular world. Currently, I am reading The Final Battle of the Chronicles of Narnia and Lewis wrote that in 1956. For those who haven’t read it yet, the story makes parallels to false gods that confuse people so much that when presented with the true God, they won’t even recognize Him. Some are even so disillusioned as to quit trying to find Him and instead, turn inward to find comfort and peace. Any wonder why suicide is the #1 killer in BC? Unfortunately, this confusion is still rampant and I believe will continue to be until the day our Lord, Jesus Christ, returns. So, I urge Christians to continue encouraging one another in our faith and not let our foundation be shaken. I pray that the Spirit will give us all courage to stand in the face of opposition, whether it be from our neighbour, colleague, or even grandma.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Eph. 6:13-18).