Jesus told a parable, we usually call the story of the Good Samaritan, in which he encouraged us to see all people as our neighbours regardless of their social standing or religious alignment.
Recently during the night - whether asleep and dreaming or half-awake and day-dreaming I don't really know - I was interviewed about my attitude towards someone different to me.
Q. As a Christian, how do you handle your relations with a homosexual?
What would you say on meeting a homosexual man?
A. I would greet him as any other new acquaintance.
If his homosexuality became evident in our conversation, I would say something like:
God loves you and accepts you just as you are - as do I.
I don't think your lifestyle is what God originally intended for his creation, but that's also true of all of us for one reason or another.
Q. Does your church accept him?
A. I don't think it's a generalised church question.
Churches are of two types:
Exclusive - who accept only people like themselves, which is not attractive to "outsiders".
Inclusive - who accept everyone, which may give the impression that bad behaviours are acceptable to observers who don't differentiate between the acceptance of people and acceptance of their behaviour.
So it depends on which sort of local church you belong to.
Q. Would you befriend him?
A. Of course.
We are fellow-travellers on the same journey to God.
We are both people for whom Jesus died.
We are both people for whom God no longer counts sins.
Q. How can you be sure of that?
A. The Bible tells me that Jesus provided redemption for us all.
Check 1 John 2 : 2, Romans 3 : 23, 24 and 2 Corinthians 5 : 19.
Q. Would friendship risk condoning his lifestyle?
A. Maybe to some observers, but not to me.
I have befriended many people whose lifestyle or behaviours I don't condone, and I am so grateful that others have done the same for me.
Q. Which text in the Bible best describes your position?
A. Jesus said I am to love my neighbour as myself. (Mark 12 : 31)
Blessings, Barry
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Published BLOG at https://barrysgracespace.blogspot.com
Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au
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