I recently read a report on cell phone radiation that basically claimed that we are worried about the wrong things. It stated that we should be less concerned about radiation from cell phones and more worried about texting while driving. Essentially the article was suggesting that what is really dangerous about cell phones is something that many people do every single day, but we would rather focus on a more abstract notion, like cell phone radiation, than to focus on our own actions which have the potential to cause ourselves and others harm every day.
We are generally the same way when it comes to our sin issues. We love talking about sins that others struggle with. We tend to place more emphasis on what we are not dealing with. Homosexuality, for instance. Christians seem to love to act as if the world is falling apart because of homosexuality. Yet, the sins in our own houses are killing us and our families: gossip, pornography, hatred, lust, jealousy, selfishness. These aren’t the things we enjoy harping on, though. We would rather discuss how the world is going to Hell in a handbasket because of gay couples on TV, yet we’ll change the channel and watch some foul, sex-filled, f-word laced God-dishonoring thing and feel okay about it. It’s an interesting phenomenon of humanity.
Sin is sin. Cell phone radiation may be a real problem. But, texting while we drive around town is a much more immediate threat to us and our families. The same is true of our sin. Yes, homosexuality is sin. And, it is incredibly glorified in our culture. But, plenty of other sins are alive and well in our own lives. Maybe that’s why Jesus told us to take care of the log in our own eye before we deal with the speck in another’s. We’ve all got problems.
I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t speak up for what the Bible says is right. We must. We are called to do so. I’m not even saying we shouldn’t be upset that homosexuality is being pushed as the norm everywhere we look. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be angry that we had to answer questions about cross-dressing after our children watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be heart-broken that our kids from very young ages will be encouraged to question their sexual orientation by this fallen and faulty society we live in.
But, I do wish that we would pray about speaking up with more humility. With more acknowledgement that we are wrong, too. That God in His holiness declares that homosexuality and lying and coveting and stealing and cheating on your wife and being stingy and many other things are sin. Homosexuals don’t have the market cornered on sin. The truth is that we are doing as much or more to teach our children to sin in our pet ways. We show them how to gossip. We show them how to say that things are wrong and then turn around and do them anyway. We are not even close to perfect.
We are called to do two things in this life: love God and love people. In just doing those two things, most of the sin in our lives would be eradicated forever. But, we can’t hate homosexuals and accomplish these callings that God placed in our hearts when He saved us. So, let’s stop worrying so much about others’ sin that we don’t recognize the ways that we are failing. Let’s quit worrying about the radiation and start focusing on the texting behind the wheel. Let’s start believing that just living our lives in a God-honoring way is enough, without all of the vitriol.
And then let’s start living our lives in a God-honoring way.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
Er-
I like the general line of this, but no-one pushes homosexuality as “the” norm. It is never going to be the norm. About 3-5% of people are gay, and the difficulty of measurement is because of queries around reporting as well as definition. Us liberals say that, if it fits, that is OK. It is never going to fit 20% of the population.
However, what is your first message to gay children? According to what you write, it would be that their sexuality is sinful. The teenagers discovering their sexuality are told that they cannot love another human physically, though Christian society celebrates physical love (The two shall become one flesh) and that they must pretend not to be camp. It loads great burdens on vulnerable people.
Hi, Clare! Thanks for your comment! It’s not I who sends the message that homosexuality is sin, but the Bible. I consider it the authority for my life. Not everyone does–I completely get that. So, in that way I think we are coming from two different camps on this one.
And, if you look at the representation of gay and lesbian characters in movies and on television, it certainly seems like more than 3-5% of the character population is gay. But, maybe that’s just my perception. Thanks again for your comment!
According to GLAAD, it is 3.3% this year, 4.4% last year. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lgbt-tv-characters-down-2012-647281
Why do you think homosexuality is the touchstone issue for some people on whether we respect the Bible or not? Six verses. Come on. The Anglican communion, which has included Evangelical and “Catholic” members from the start, is now splitting over that issue, with Evangelicals and Catholics on both sides.
Homosexuality is really not that important as a Christian doctrine, or even as a Biblical theme- except for those who make it so. We can agree to disagree over pacifism, but not homosexuality. I believe Christianity and the Bible are pacifist, and there is “God with us” on military insignia.
I respect the Bible. I have a relationship with it and with God.
Clare, there’s quite a difference between “respecting” the Bible and living with it as your absolute authority. I think that’s where you and I part ways in the sense of what our belief systems are. No matter the number of verses in there, I believe it if God says it. And, since I consider the Bible God-breathed (inspired by the Holy Spirit), I consider every word of it to be His word. This is the foundation of my understanding of homosexuality. It’s okay that it’s not yours. I hope you can be tolerant of my position as I endeavor to be tolerant of yours.
I think that one reason that Christians are more outspoken about homosexuality is the fact that there aren’t other acts that are called sin in the Bible that are flaunted and celebrated in the media as NOT sinful. Perhaps that’s why Christians feel a special sensitivity. I understand there are many who have chosen to ignore or “re-interpret” what the Bible says about this issue. But, again, if you and I have differing views of what the Bible IS, then we won’t come to an agreement on this because we are starting with completely different worldviews.
I appreciate your comments.
“Whoever divorces a woman and remarries commits adultery against her”, yet that is celebrated not only by the media but the churches.
I value what you say about lying, etc, also being sins, and how “homosexuals do not have the market cornered on sin”. Thank you for that.
Yes, I see your point on divorce. That is one issue that the church has been very lax on. And, that is partly what I’m saying about how Christians would rather harp on homosexuality than on divorce, because many Christians have been divorced, yet few struggle with homosexuality. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments.
Melissa, I think you addressed this issue of “choosing” sins to focus on very well here. Unfortunately, the Christian church has turned away from its role and responsibility to uphold God’s Word; thus, we have so much confusion. I appreciate your insigh.
Thanks so much for this comment!