Have you seen old commericals from the 40s and 50s with their warnings like don’t catch the gay or beware of the homos? To me, this kind of talk ranks right up there with racism, making it out to be like gay people are a far-step lower than the rest of humanity. If anything good has come from the advancement in our culture over recent decades, it would be that “all people are equal” is actually a politically-correct statement now.
If our culture believes that all people are equal, how much more should the Christians believe this, in light of the biblical fact that every human is made in the image of God? My fear is that many Christians forget, or blatantly reject, this truth when it comes to homosexuals, adulterers, murderers, etc.. I think many people really believe, even if subconsciously, that they are not quite as depraved as those who exhibit really sinful behavior. And honestly, I’ve been one of those people. For instance, I’ve often thought “they’re too far gone” or “there’s no hope for them” when I see gay people around me. I mean, I was delivered from the bondage of this particular sin and yet, at times I don’t even believe God can do it for anyone else. Pretty bad, huh?…. I know. I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit’s conviction in times like these.
Apart from a solid understanding of and constant meditation on the gospel, we tend to gage our goodness by comparing our level of morality and behavior to that of other broken people around us. Rather than lining ourselves up against the standard of righteousness revealed by our holy and perfect God, and seeing how incredibly short we fall of it, we esteem ourselves by looking at a others and thinking, “Well I’m not as bad as they are!”
If we truly understand and believe the gospel, this way of thinking has to be evicted from our minds.
“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.” – Romans 3:11-12
When the Word of God says none, it means none.
“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”- Jesus (Mark 2:17).
If you truly believe the words of Jesus, you must see yourself just as sick as a homosexual, porn star, adulterer or anyone else who commits what we would call “really bad sins”… How much more will people see the love of Christ in us when they see our awareness of our own brokenness?
Just a thought.
@matt, I can’t speak for others but only myself-I am a sinner this is abuntantly true, but I can not say I am ‘sick as the homosexual, porn star or adulterer’. For all it may be worth I could be worse. However, I think there is a huge difference between the repentant sinner and the fool.
@Davide
Thank you Davide; for letting us all know that you can not equate yourself with the rest of us.
Mazel tov!
@mike, cute
Depravity is something that many cannot seem to accept. But I think it is necessary to live radically for Jesus.
Matt what you say is so very true. Quite early on in my walk with God He – in His great wisdom – showed me a glimpse of my true nature without His restraining influence. For days before He was warning me that it was going to happen but me, in my pride, thought He must be talking about other people! Did I not know what was in my heart? But when I saw what lurked in the darkest corners of my heart I was utterly horrified and for a while doubted that there could possibly be hope for me. It was a very humbling experience and God used it to teach me a little something about ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. It also broke through that wall that blinded me when I looked at all those sinful, wicked, hopeless cases – people precisely like me.
Because of that experience I advise all Christians to ask God to give them a glimpse of their own heart. It’s not fun – but the fruit that springs from it is of eternal value!
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Nice substantive reply- not.
Cal Thomas explains it in his column .