How do, we as Christians, deal with those we disagree with?
Especially those we disagree with on fundamental doctrinal or moral issues.
Particularly those our culture finds totally acceptable. One of these issues is the question of homosexuality.
Now Scripture makes it clear that homosexual behavior is wrong (Romans 1:24-27;
1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10). Underlying this is the idea that God
originally designed sexuality to be expressed in a permanent, committed
relationship between a man and a woman for the purpose of raising the next
generation (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-7). Now there
is room for some minor variation in this design, but God takes it very
seriously. This fits with God’s principle of unity in diversity (1 Corinthians
12:12-27; Romans 12:3-13; 1 Peter 4:10,11). This also fits with marriage being
a picture of the relationship of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33;
Revelation 19:7,8; 2 Corinthians 11:1-3). But how do we respond to those who
totally disagree with us on this?
We must reject the strident self-righteousness that looks
down on those we disagree with. We must remember we are sinners (Romans 3:23;
Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9), saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans
4:4,5; Philippians 3:9). Also, we are called to love all people, even our
enemies (Matthew 22:35 -40; 5:43-48; Galatians 6:9,10). And we are called to
correct people with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:24-26; Colossians 4:5,6; 1 Peter
3:15). But we also cannot just allow ourselves to be conformed to the world and
simply follow its standards (Romans 12:1,2; 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4). We are
called, as Christians, to recognize we belong to God and need to live a life
that reflects this (1 Corinthians 6:20; Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:10). And
part of that involves opposing the wrong type of behavior (Ephesians 5:7-14;
Jude 22,23; Romans 13:11-14).
How this works out in practice can be difficult. Especially
when you are dealing with people who are willing to settle for nothing less than
full acceptance of their behavior. We need to carefully walk the line between
loving them as individuals and approving of their sin. It does not help that
there is the claim made that their behavior is genetically determined, and that
this justifies it. There are serious problems with this as a basic concept. If
my behavior is absolutely genetically determined, then not only is all moral
responsibility undermined, but all thought and knowledge. I can never claim
that what I believe is really based on truth, because I am determined by my
genetics. But if this is merely an influence and a tendency, there is no basis
for saying it is right and I should not resist it. We are all sinners, and
undoubtedly we each have tendencies toward some sins more than others. But this
does not mean justifying that sin, either in ourselves or others. Therefore, we need to resist this idea with a
loving attitude, but a firm stance.
No comments:
Post a Comment