In black and white
Let’s face it… deep down we know or at least we‘ve heard that God doesn’t condone this life we’ve come to accept, whether we grew up in the church or not we’ve at least heard that it’s wrong in His eyes. No matter if you’ve heard it or not, the fact is that it’s written in black and white and here’s where I get a little peeved, yep it is written that being gay, homosexual, or indulging in same sex relations isn’t what God wants for us, and there’s were so many people stop, but it doesn’t end there!!!! It gets better! A lot better!! What hasn’t been emphasized enough is that there is an addendum to the original book. An addendum that changes everything for everyone! One that gives all of us a choice. This is were that FREE WILL comes in. Sadly what seems to happen more often than not is we run into those who would rather heap hell fire and brimstone on us with everyone walking away grumbling, pointing fingers and distancing themselves from each other and God. OUCH!!
This is where I want you to really understand that I’m talking about God, not people, And for some reason, it seems that a lot of the conversations end right before the fact that you have that choice, He’s name is Jesus! I know it’s hard to take when what you feel seems so normal and a part of you. It did me. I’ll say it again… I didn’t choose this life, it chose me, or it was handed to me/to us as a part of our character, and in such an accepting world as today, it’s so much easier to justify our life and to accept what’s been handed to us as a part of us than to question it. This is where so many walk away from or avoid this kind of discussion. You don’t have to… fingers aren’t being pointed here, you aren’t going to hear judgmental comments and condemnation. I never have so why should you. There are truths that you need to hear.
Don’t underestimate the power that satan has, remember, the “bad guy”. I can’t say where it all started or when, and ironically that’s what seems to be one of the biggest questions in all of our lives. It seems normal, I was born this way….so it’s ok. It’s not in God’s nature to make people do things that are against His will. Why would He make you sin so He can forgive it? Think about it. That’s the biggest lie that satan has to offer, give the blame to…God. We’ve been handed this life and we can do 1 of 2 things with it. Accept it and move on with our lives until we kick the bucket which by that time it’s too late to change anything let alone your mind, or we can ask God for help, hand it over to Him and watch how He can recreate you into a completely new person in Christ…. I’m telling you that it’s amazing to see what He’s doing in my life. I want you to understand that God’s love is all encompassing. His love is so much bigger that what we comprehend as love. It’s not that physical attraction or emotion that we’ve come to know. His love is everything, it has the power to protect, comfort, strengthen, dismiss and change a person completely! Oh, and unlike the first choice of acceptance, this choice doesn’t stop when we kick the bucket. IT’S FOREVER, once we ask Him into our hearts, we’re family permanently! Just stop and think about how long forever is… it doesn’t stop ever!!!! WOW!
The reference to that addendum I just mentioned, the New Testament sets into motion a completely new view on judgement. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still there, but we now have a CHOICE. To be judged standing alone or to be judged as a child of the most high God, and with an advocate standing beside us, Jesus!
I mentioned a while back that this all could be crazy scary and it needs to be repeated…. here’s the thing, it’s not believing that Jesus died for you and erased all your sins thats scary, that couldn't be more wonderful but the next step can be the scary part, at least it was for me. I shared how I broke away from gay life when I moved from my job in the southwest to the snowy north. The physical move was easy, new job, new church, new life. Here’s were it can get a bit scary if you don't trust God and let Him guide your life… sharing with “friends”, how are they going to react? Am I going to loose them as friends? Is it necessary to tell them? Starting a new life in Christ is challenging in the flesh to say the least, but step back and see it through Jesus’ eyes. It’s an act of worship and love. You’re showing Him just how much you believe and trust Him. Here’s the thing, yah, you will have some friends that will cut you off immediately, calling you names and talking behind your back, some who will just brush it off as a “phase”, and some that will ask questions… here’s how I’ve handle all that, those who choose to cut you off will hurt and put questions in your head about if you’ve made the right decision. Ask God for wisdom… if they’re angry, there may be a reason. The best thing you can do is to show them all God’s love and never turn your back on them… your relationship with them will change but that doesn’t mean you should.… He’s never turned His back on us. Do the same. I’ve learned that there will come rejection and disagreement with the decision to love God back the way He loves you, but for every rejection and disagreement you’ll begin to notice that Gods brings new relationships and friends that will support you, encourage you and those you can call true friends making the “crazy scary” thang not so crazy scary!
The CHOICE is yours and only yours.
If you’ve stayed with me this far, you’re probably thinking one of two things. One, the guy is “crazy scary” and needs to be locked up! Or two, what if it’s all true… and God does love me and all it takes is to BELIEVE.