Stumbling Through Life

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Please, God – Don’t strike me with lightning! I’m just trying to figure this world out. Sometimes I think and say things that are stupid. But sometimes, too, You tell me things that are so meaningful that I simply have to write them down. This blog is nothing more than a diary of some of these thoughts.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Have you Thrown Any Stones Lately?


You may have heard that Jennifer Knapp, a Christian singer, just “came out” as a lesbian.
Is homosexuality a sin? I think you’ve heard enough on the subject, and maybe you’ve already decided. I’ve heard many opinions, and I’m not going to give mine here, for one reason; it doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what God thinks, but last time I checked, I’m not God.
Are homosexuals going to hell? Even unrepentant ones? Not necessarily. All homosexuals are sinners; so are all heterosexuals! Personally, I think greed is a big sin, and I know Christians who are UNREPENTANT money-grubbers. I think killing the earth is a BIG sin, and I know Christians who are UNREPENTANTLY anti-green. I don’t think they’re necessarily going to hell, either. And I think HATE is a BIG sin...

God wants us to love and forgive. Forgiveness and love are mentioned in the Bible far more times than homosexuality. So hating gays is a bigger sin than being gay!

And here’s the kicker; failing to forgive is a HUGE sin! If you’re going to sin, I’d recommend doing something different.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

Put down your stone. Forgive.

Do people need to be repentant for us to forgive them? Read John 8 for yourself. The woman “caught in adultery” wasn’t repentant at the start of the story:
John 8:2-22
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
"No one, sir," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

But back to Jennifer. I know one thing for sure. I’m not qualified to judge her. She has (IMO) a great singing voice and great lyrics. I am just as much a sinner as she is; Period. I hope she doesn’t leave the Christian faith because of this. I hope and pray that she repents of her sins, whatever they are. I hope she keeps writing beautiful songs, too.

Undo Me
Papa, I think I messed up again
Was it something I did?
Was it something I said?
I don't mean to do you wrong
It's just the way of human nature!

Sister, I know I let you down
I can tell by the fact
You never come around
You don't have to say a thing
I can tell by your eyes
Exactly what you mean
That it's time
To get down on my knees and pray
"Lord, undo me!"
Put away my flesh and bone
'Til You own this spirit through me Lord,
Undo me.

Mama, I know I made you cry
But I never meant to hurt you
I never meant to lie
While the world shook its head in shame
I let you take the blame
Brother, I know you labored
So hard to please
But I cut you down
And I left you on your knees
Well I know it must be
Time to get down on my knees and pray
"Lord, undo me!"
Put away my flesh and bone
'Til You own this spirit through me Lord
I am wanting, needing, guilty and greedy
Unrighteous, unholy; undo me. Undo me!

Abba Father You must wonder why
More times than Peter I have denied.
Three nails and a cross to prove
I owe my life eternally to you!
And it's time
To get down on my knees and pray
"Lord, undo me!"
Put away my flesh and bone
'Til You own this spirit through me Lord,
Undo me

I can relate to this.

Peace, Love, Forgive

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