Originally Posted by Crazy Liz 
I realize you probably would have a hard time selling this idea to your constituency in the current religio-political climate. I'm not asking you to change your mind. Just file away in the back of your head that there are Christians quietly wrestling with the more complex issues. Remember us once in a while.
Actually, I believe the place to start is sharing the love, goodness, mercy, and forgiveness of God - the Gospel. And in the congregations I've been a part of over the last several years, we are very accepting and open to people with a wide range of problems including homosexuality. And the foundation of our relationships is the grace, forgiveness, and acceptance of God. We preach the good news of Christ that he came to save the lost - not condemn us, to heal the sick - not to judge us, to embrace and sanctify the sinner - not to reject us. And we focus on giving to all the love and respect due everyone because of God's love for them. Upon this foundation of grace, we help people grow in the Lord and be delivered from destructive patterns of life.
And you are correct in that the condition of the heart is of utmost importance. If a person's heart is right with God, receiving God's love and loving Her in return, then all else will incrementally and increasingly fall into place. We accept people because of their inherant value! So we deal with the heart issues first, and then get around to the cancer issues as we can. It is important though to recognize that the cancer is evil. Those who have cancer, but love cancer will not hang around others who recognize cancer as evil.
Being involved in a prayer couselling ministry, we wrestle with these very complex issues with people every day, praying for God to bring deliverance and healing into our lives - more of heaven on earth!
P.S. Of course, I do recognize that churches, especially fundamental evangelical churches, are often known for condemning people, focusing on denouncing sin as opposed to saving sinners. This is very sad. And relatively few local churches have enough grace to effectively minister to those bound in homosexuality. - very sad.
Linear Mode
