Prejudice

   I admit to being prejudice toward people who choose to be stupid. There are so many people who fly their own personal flag of discrimination or entitlement, making this "Land of the Free" a diluted mess. A man or woman has the right to speak his/her mind, but if that speech ruffles rich or powerful feathers then it is convoluted into a wreckage of immense proportion. Who cares what the message is, it will be taken out of context, misquoted, and "spun" into words of hate.

   I know that as people read this, due to the subject matter, I am going to be placed in a certain category. Compartmentalization is the easiest way to dismiss opinions or ideas that don't hang with those who have power. However, it must be said. God wants us to stand for Him and sometimes silence is sitting. John 3.16 says God loves the world so much that He gave His only Son to be our sacrifice so that whoever follows Him will live in Heaven forever. God hates NO man. God HATES the sin they commit. The Bible, the book I believe is God's Word to us, never says even once that God Hates His creation, or mankind. It says repeatedly how much how He abhors the behaviors contrary to His principles.

   So, when Tim Tebow, Greg Laurie, or Chris Broussard, or anyone else speak the truth - that homosexuality is not within God's plan - they aren't speaking hatred. I have dear close friends who profess to be gay. I love them as much now as I did before I knew, or they did. Hiding under a rock does not solve the problem. Hating anyone who stands up with gay people is as wrong as hating those who stand against gay people.

   Delving into the situation would split hairs and raise a debate that society can't even handle, without the whole spiritual chapter. There is no degree of sin. In Galatians Paul tells us that there is a big difference between living in God's Spirit and living in the worldly life. "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" Galatians 5.19-21 NIV. This partial list is far more extensive than just homosexuality. The old adage "People who live in glass houses ..." gives me pause. I am a sinner saved by the same Grace that is offered to everyone. I am not better or worse.

   The end of the fifth chapter of Galatians gives God's counterpoint to worldly sin - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Galatians 5.22-23 NIV. Being gay is not the unforgivable sin. Being intolerant of Christians isn't either. God made me, a flawed human. He made us all - with our blemishes, our failings, and our opinions. To those who are gay, don't hate because we don't embrace your lifestyle. To those who are Christian, don't hate the people, love them like Christ loved.