by Sandy » Sun Apr 28, 2013 9:21 am
I've read many of the exerpts, and comments, regarding this book, and intend to get it and read it through.
I could write a book on the subject of how the church treats gays and lesbians, and more specifically, how conservative Christians ought to treat them from a Biblical perspective. It is one more moral issue that also carries a highly volatile political tag with it, and as a result, it has caused people on both sides of the issue to ball up and defend turf and that prevents churches from ministering, and gays and lesbians from responding.
But the bottom line is that there must be a starting point. And the starting point is the same place with this issue that it is with all other human sinfulness. It begins at repentance, which leads to sanctification and justification. And like all other human sinfulness, it requires the same understanding, patience, prayer, counsel, and every other ministry tool to deal with it. The real difference in the church is over the question of whether or not homosexual behavior is sinful. The ultimate result of Christian ministry, which is a major Biblical theme, is redemption and restoration, with the goal being perfection in Jesus. People are never able to set aside their sin in the flesh, it is always a struggle, but the goal is to move away from it, not to endorse it or excuse it. Jay Chu has the same opportunity to receive, in Jesus, what every other believer can receive, sanctification, justification, but it must begin with recognition of sin, and desire for repentance.