Homosexuality And The Bible

Very interesting article! He did a wonderful job pointing out the inconsistencies of today's Christian beliefs. Here is a link to the article:

http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/winkhombib.htm

Peace.

What Would Your Shirt Say?

I saw a t-shirt the other day, and loved the message it displayed. On the front in small letters is "Love Thy Neighbor". A lot of today's Christians would look at the front and think, "Ah yes, Matthew 22:39. How nice." Then, on the back of the t-shirt, it tells you who your neighbors are.

Love Thy Neighbor

Thy Homeless Neighbor
Thy Muslim Neighbor
Thy Black Neighbor
Thy Gay Neighbor
Thy White Neighbor
Thy Jewish Neighbor
Thy Transgendered Neighbor
Thy Christian Neighbor
Thy Atheist Neighbor
Thy Racist Neighbor
Thy Addicted Neighbor

www.love-thy-neighbor.org

Now what exactly does "love" your neighbor mean? I know a lot of Christians who have nothing to do with people who are not like them, people who they believe are in sin, and they claim that their way of loving them is praying for them to change. They keep their distance for fear of "guilt by association".

I know others who believe their way to show love is to preach to them, convincing them to change their ways, leading them to believe that they will "go to hell" if they don't. Even if the exact words "go to hell", "burn in hell", or "separated from God" are never used, this is the message they are trying to convey.

What a lot of Christians seem to forget is that not one sin is greater than another. For example, your hatred for those whose lifestyles and beliefs you judge, is, in God's eyes, the same thing as murder. Whatever it is that your neighbors are doing that you believe to be sinful, before you judge them, remember these words from Jesus:

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." - John 8:7

Another thing that Christians seem to forget, is that, unlike sin, there are certain commandments that are greater than others:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."- Matthew 22:36-40

ALL the law and the Prophets hang on to these 2 commandments. Just 2 commandments!

So what it boils down to is this: Love God, Love People.

Sounds so simple, but it is the two most difficult commandments. This is why we tend to focus on the easier commandments like not committing murder (although we tend to justify that in certain circumstances, and sometimes put God's name on it to justify it further), not stealing, etc, and we find loopholes in all the commandments that make us uncomfortable by twisting the words around to make it an easier to swallow.

Like Alanis Morrisette's "Jagged Little Pill", it's not always easy to swallow. But if we could get past that, the world would be a much better place. That is what God wants for us because He loves us.

So in reference to the title of this post, I pose the question:

"What would your shirt say?"

If you know that your ability to love your neighbor is challenged when dealing with certain people, think about what you would put on your "Love Thy Neighbor" shirt. Make a list, include names if you must, and hang it on the walls of the places you spend the most time, such as: The dashboard of your vehicle, next to your computer, the fridge, the office, etc.

Remember, love God, love His people, trust His commandments.

Peace.