Something which has caused me a lot of head-scratching through the years is the utter disgust many Christians seem to have for some in our society. Hatred is such a strong word, I hesitate to use it, but in my experience, it often appears to be exactly that -- sort of like "love the sinner, hate the sin" (ahem), emphasis on hate. Those I've seen most often be the sad recipients of this kind of anti-Christian, anti-Christlike behavior are homosexuals. I never understood why those having questions concerning their sexuality, those struggling within a lifestyle of homosexuality, or even those blatantly pushing homosexuality as a normal sexual practice were vilified to a degree no other "sinner" was within the Christian community and in churches at large. This vilification of one particular sin over another was so obviously unbiblical to me, as was the vilification of particular sinners over others... I mean, isn't the fact that we're all sinners on equal ground one of the most basic and foundational tenets of the Christian faith?...
Then, one day, it hit me. Fear. Those who respond with the kind of extreme disgust, anger, and near hatred I have seen far too many times in my life are motivated by fear. Fear on many different levels... Fear their young people will be influenced negatively and even, irreversibly... Fear their children might be molested... Fear that those involved in the lifestyle may not know or recognize that homosexuality is a sin... Fear that too many questions or acknowledgment of questions will lead to experimentation... Fear, perhaps even, that it might rub off on them... Fear.
Anytime I hear or think of the word fear, I immediately think of the verse in I John 4 which says, "...perfect love drives out fear..." If not fear, then love... The entire passage, from verse 7 to verse 21 lays out so beautifully the perfect love of God, how his love plays out in our lives, and consequently, how that love should be our motivation in dealing with our fellow human beings. So, instead of fear, love. Granted, I've seen people motivated by fear to make good changes, but it's never long-lasting. Love is the only foolproof method for bringing heart-change. And, only God can give us the kind of love it takes to drive out fear...
Instead of brow-beating our fellow strugglers with how bad their behavior is and how punished they are going to be for their choices, why can't we respond the way Jesus always did when dealing with sinners? He always responded with love... Love and kindness can get you where anger and judgment never will... Let love be your motivation.
c2009 Lorenda Houston
