Question From Facebook:
Question about homosexuality and proclaiming Truth
Jim, I am concerned about your post about the same sex marriage.
I don't believe in same sex marriage either nor believe in homosexuals way of life. I have a nephew and a stepson who both say they are gay and one says he is married. It hurts me and I don't like it at all. My stepson will not come around his dad or in our home. I didn't want that life style open in front of my daughter in our home.
Anyway, I am a little worried that we as Christians sometime don't look like the salt and light of the earth. I don't want people to get the idea that my church doesn't except everyone just not the sin they may be living in. I love my nephew but I don't except the way he lives. I have a huge Christian family with many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
I can't understand how one nephew chose this way to live. I guess I just don't want the church to be called hypocrites. How do we tell them we love and except them but not their way of life.
Answer From The Christian Hillbilly: Ma'am,
I understand exactly what you are saying. How do we as Christians walk that fine line of standing for the Truth of God's Word yet still have lines of communication open for those who embrace a life style that is completely opposed to that Truth? How do we tell those loved ones or people we barely know that certain things like homosexuality or any sexual sin are absolutely wrong without becoming the Westboro Baptist Church? (see www.GodHatesFags.com)
It really is not easy, but it can be done if we follow what God Himself tells us to do. In John chapter 13 verse 34 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." I call it paying "relational rent", because nobody cares about what you have to say until they know you really care about them.
I can honestly say I have seen this approach work time and time again. On Facebook, Youtube, Stickam, Yahoo Chat, and many other platforms I have stayed consistent about preaching what the Bible says about homosexuality and sexual sins. (See www.ChristianHillbilly.Com my personal website with links to my Youtube page.) But because i never use the Bible to attack only to show how God designed us and why that makes sense, I have been blessed with a number of friendships of people that are homosexual, Atheist, Muslim, Wiccan and Satan worshipers. All of which disagree with my stance on these issues, but will at least listen to me and have discussion about what the Bible says and i get to point out how much God loves each of them.
Recently I had a gentleman that i met on Youtube about six months or so ago that was very angry about my videos and stance on homosexuality. But now has become a friend here on Facebook and he even said to me that even though he still disagrees with me he wanted to get to know me because he could see that i truly cared enough to not sugar coat the Truth. But to "Tell the Truth In Love."
Thank you for your note and your concern. It shows your heart is in the right place.
I will be praying for you and your family. Please feel free to contact me anytime. Also, I can be seen in live chat usually in the evenings and I invite you to stop on by and see for yourself how it works.
May God Bless You!
Jim
aka: The Christian Hillbilly
