The Bible, an excuse for Gay Prejudice?

[misszoolander]

Many of us would agree that the bible is invaluable when it comes to growing and learning spiritually.
However I am beginning to realize that perhaps the peoples interpretation of the bible has become an idol?

If you take the word of God, without Gods love and influence you can come out with just about anything, so is it safe to say that prayer, Gods Holy Spirit and the word must all be equally used to interpret the scriptures?

My problem is when people use scripture to belittle others, I've noticed lately the hoard of gay prejudice since Rob Bell's nerw book came out. It pains me when people use the bible as justification to bring others down, exclude others, belittle others and pretty much tell others they are not worthy of the love of God unless they change. I remember as a young teen, a fellow church goer of mine got rejected on becoming a youth leader, because there were suspicions he was gay, after that he left the church, heartbroken. The Church's actions probably can be justified in the bible, but does that make it right?

What can we do as Christians, to bring comfort to our gay friends, and a message of hope when they are surrounded by so much prejudice? How can we do this without disrespecting Gods word?

[Lazarus Short]

If you read the Law of God with an eye toward it being an owner's manual or an operator's manual, we can see the Laws, Statutes, and Judgments as rules pertaining to God's design - how to use and maintain His creation properly.  Even in the present age, we know that certain things are sins, and they are sins, not because of some arbitrary ruling by God, but because He knows how to do things to obtain the best world, society, ecosystem, farm operation, civilization, etc.  In this regard, God's rules on sex and marriage are geared toward His design:  male + female producing children, who in turn, carry on the process of reproduction.  Any deviation from this formula spoils the plan and design, and displeases God.  Milder deviations get milder corrective punishments.  Greater deviations receive sterner punishments, up to and including, death.  That is exactly why homosexual relations are forbidden - they spoil the plan and design of God.  It's a sin, and I can't see it any other way.  As Christians, we must deal with it like any other sin, helping free the sinner from sin, but loving the sinner as a child of God.

[rosered]

  Oh Lord this is a toughy ,

  I just read Romans 8  where Jesus  came in a   flesh body to be a sacrifice for sin ,    our mortal bodies are dead because of sin already  ,   so we are to live in the Spirit of God /God is love   
we are  to be born again , our first birth   being flesh and blood is   of a sinful nature  , that includes  all sin ,  murder  , fornication , adultry  , homosexual  , theft  , liars , hatred  etc ..  its all covered   as earthly sensual and devilish in nature  , not of God at all

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 


Jam 5:20   Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

I have a cousin   who is homosexual , I love him , his soul and Spirit  are  beautiful  , but that is not all of who he is ,  we cannot define anyone by just  one thing  can we ? 
he does not ''put his gay lifestyle ''  in my face  and make me accept him  for being gay   
I look  at it as his cross to bear  , see the cross  is where  sins are hung on to die  , this death is the last enemy  where all our flesh is, as dead
this is why Jesus said , take up your cross and follow me , we are now spiritual creatures in Christ
  following after the Spirit in newness of life  , our focus has changed 
I believe we are  so  much more than  that  old dead man   now
  and those whom are  dying in their sins will also have   freedom when the flesh  of a mortal body  is seperated  from the  Spirit and soul   that God has  kept  them in 
God is doing a glorious thing continually , I believe that with all my heart , See my cousin  believes in God too  :HeartThrob:

[jabcat]

homosexual relations are forbidden..It's a sin, and I can't see it any other way.  As Christians, we must deal with it like any other sin, helping free the sinner from sin, but loving the sinner

amen...restoration..."speaking the truth in love"..God help us do so

[reFORMer]

Comfort alcoholics because they are the victims of anti-alcoholic sentiment and drunk bashers?  Offer them a message of hope when get into a car drunk, because there's so much prejudice against them?

People like to play the victim card.  Copious tears are not a sign of truth, only the emotional state of the weeper.  Many are deeply indoctrinated into approving and even applauding homosexuality.  They live surrounded with a culture that praises and glorifies their lifestyle, defending against all its detractors.  It takes the spirit of God to deal with people in their sins who have been taken captive by the devil.

We can witness to the love and grace of God.  We can speak of the new birth, which is being regenerated spiritually by the Holy Spirit coming to dwell within us; but, for many, an explanation of our love is considered hate speech.  To speak of the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us from slaves to sin (including sexual sins) and to tell of God's love for all men, even homosexuals, that it is a love that transfigures us into radiant holy beings like God, is to preach intolerance and promote homophobic lies.  It is the specific and on record agenda of certain gay organizations to remove the Church's witness from the public sphere and to prevent Christian standards from prevailing in the home, where children may be removed for anything short of full approval and promotion of gay behavior.

It was in a recent dream that God showed me the face of a gay person.  An angel tapped on the picture, pointing out to me I wasn't as loving as I could be, that I am to love such people.  ("Faith works by love.")  The word spoken to me was, "Believe that God can completely transform anybody!"

[ded2daworld]

All great replies :thumbsup:

Missz said. "It pains me when people use the bible as justification to bring others down, exclude others, belittle others and pretty much tell others they are not worthy of the love of God unless they change."

IMO, even ifwe DO change, we are still not worthy of the love of God :sigh: :Chinscratch:

[redhotmagma]

All great replies :thumbsup:

Missz said. "It pains me when people use the bible as justification to bring others down, exclude others, belittle others and pretty much tell others they are not worthy of the love of God unless they change."

IMO, even ifwe DO change, we are still not worthy of the love of God :sigh: :Chinscratch:

Really???  I don't think so.  We are worthy of the love of God.  Worth.  You have worth, I have worth, they have worth to God.  Therefore we are worthy. 

God created you, out of Himself, (sorry creation ex-nihlo doesn't hold water).  This idea that we are these driveling worms that have no worth, but thankfully the mighty god can take time out of his busy day and give us some scraps of love is repulsive to me.  He created us, He subjected us to futility all for a purpose, to recreate Himself in billions of unique beings.  Division for the sake of multiplication.

You are worthy Ded.

[ded2daworld]

If, after placing his Holy spirit in me, I never strayed or doubted or even occaisonally willfully chose to sin, I would say then that maybe I
was worthy. Grace is undeserved kindness and grace and mercy is what I recieve from him.

[marie glen]

 :banana: What great answers! I can't help but think of how political forces paint christians as haters, no matter what the issue :smile: but I don't think you can find anyone who loves all folks, gay folk included, more than a true christian.. and of course, however, any belligerent or 'big mouth' of a group is the one who gets noticed and remembered! :sigh:
But we know the real story isn't hate, just that all are sinners/imperfect.. a cloudy reflection of God's glory.. way cloudy. That's the lesson, God=100%, we w/o God=0, surely? it's just the way it is.. God loves us ALL so deeply.. even before we were saved - "while we were yet sinners.." as it says.
great answers here  :thumbsup:

[lomarah]

Think of it this way ded: are your children unworthy of your love? Mine are more than worthy and deserving of my love!! We are worthy because we are His. If my child doubts my love it doesn't make them unworthy of it. If my child gets angry with me or sins against me somehow it still doesn't mean they are unworthy of my love. They are ALWAYS worthy of my love - they are my children!

[sheila]

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet,not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will

of your Father.And even the very hairs of your head are numbered,so don't be afraid...

  you are worth more than many sparrows.

   Our worth is based on God's feelings about it..not man's[life is cheap down here] 

 

[ded2daworld]

My children/grandchildren are sinners just like me so that's not a good analogy.
If you all think that you deserve that Christ died for you and in your place. That's you.
I only seem worthy when I look at others, not when I look at Christ.
"What is man that thou art mindful of him."
"Dust you are, to dust you'll return"
Yes we are precious and loved by God, but since we have done absolutely nothing to warrant
or deserve this love, I can't see it.

The bible says the Lamb alone is worthy. The only worth I have is the lamb in me.

[lomarah]

And do you think the Lord died a horrible bloody painful death for those who have no worth? Do your children have no worth to you?

[redhotmagma]

We didn't subject ourselves to futility or asked to be born.  It was all Him.  We deserve His love and are worthy of it because He created us.  You are not a sinner on your own account.  God decided that was the plan, and subjected all creation to futility.  So that His mercy could be shown. 

You are worthy (maybe not to receive Praise and Honor and glory and Power, which is the rest of that script) you have worth.

[ded2daworld]

I can't seperate "worthy" from "deserving".
We had no worth until Christ died for us.
Grace is undeserved kindness
It sounds like you feel we deserve kindness, or in a contradiction "deserve grace"
or "deserve undeserved kindness"
Yes we are sinners by birth, but we are also sinners by choice.
We did not choose to be born (right) neither did we choose to be born again - Jesus chose us.
How is it that we deserve the free gift of God?
Are we somehow worthy because God did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
I repeat, my only worth is Christ in me.

[lomarah]

He is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We have always had worth. No, not because of works. Because we are His.

[ded2daworld]

Just as each pot made by the potter has worth. Nothing the pot has done to deserve the worth.

[lomarah]

Exactly!! The pot has much worth to the potter. He made it with loving care, carefully constructing it to suit His needs. Now think of how much more worth you and I have to our Father!!

[ded2daworld]

Well... I know we're worth much more than a couple of sparrows... :Chinscratch:

[shawn]

I think it's important to keep in mind a few things.  We are ALL sinners in need of grace.  I am no better than the homosexual.  I am commanded to love, not to be someones judge.  Therefore that is what I do.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this is not a theocracy.  It's a democracy, where people should be afforded the right to choose their own path not directed by the Bible or our belief system.  It's about equal rights for all races, creeds, and lifestyles.  It is not our job to dictate legislation of morality specifically one that does not harm others.

[ded2daworld]

I still think there's a big difference between having worth and being worthy :Peace2:

[redhotmagma]

Worthy:

adj. wor·thi·er, wor·thi·est
1. Having worth, merit, or value; useful or valuable.
2. Honorable; admirable: a worthy fellow.
3. Having sufficient worth; deserving: worthy to be revered; worthy of acclaim.
n. pl. wor·thies
An eminent or distinguished person.

[shawn]

We all have worth.  It's about how our worth is defined.  Our worth is not defined by deeds, works, morality etc.  It's defined by the love of our God.

[ded2daworld]

"; deserving: worthy to be revered; worthy of acclaim."

That's me OK
Bow down to me if I'm so worthy

A poor definition to use the same word in the definition as what it's defining

Worthy - duh - having worth...gimmee a break :laughing7:
I'm posting no further on the subject

[misszoolander]

Great answers folks  :thumbsup:

Tricky subject I know, but one we must not ignore. I don't know the full facts, I don't know whether people are born gay, or whether they actually choose it or whether it is a mix of both. What I do know is that their lifestyle is out of my hands, I place it into the Lords. I know in my heart that I am called to love them, nothing less then that.

I wish there was an easy way to reach out to these people, because I feel spiritually they are the least of us.
Have we ever seen a transgender, or openly gay person walk into the church gladly and boldly? I haven't, and it worries me. They have a spirit just like us, looking, wanting, searching...
Prehaps, when they are weary and they feel they need answers they go looking for them, I wish I could always be there to point in the right direction  :Peace2: