Sorting out the Thoughts

"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
Matt. 15.16-19

You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God.'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.' 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.'
Lev. 18.3-4, 22, 24

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Rom. 14.1-4

this is a difficult post to begin. on one of the blogs which i frequently visit, there has been an heated discussion about intolerance or acceptance of homosexuality. and my little mind has been rolling around what i believe about it, not what i've read or seen or experienced. admittedly, i'm not close friends with anyone who lives a homosexual lifestyle. i have some acquaintances, but none who i would consider a close, intimate friend. with that being said, i find myself drawn to homosexuals. perhaps it's because i want to know what originally drew them into that lifestyle. perhaps because God has given me a compassionate heart for them. perhaps it's because i want to see God's amazing transformation in their lives. or maybe it's a tactic of satan to try to get me involved. in any case, i'm drawn like a bug to a zapper.

i'll never forget hearing tony campolo speak about loving others, especially anyone living as a homosexual. with tears in his eyes and a broken heart, he spoke of his relationship with a good friend who is a homosexual. that's the kind of humility and love we are to have for all of God's people, no matter what type of lifestyle they are pursuing.

in my pursuit to find what i believe, i've become increasingly annoyed by people who use the verse, "judge not, or you also will be judged," (matt. 7.1) as a cop-out. that's using scripture as a knife to kill, instead of a tool to transform lives into obedient disciples of Christ. which leads me to what i believe. i believe that each of us was born with a sinful nature. and this sinful nature manifests itself in each of us different. for some, we struggle with arrogance, some have a wicked tongue, some have murderous thoughts, some have a need for sex, some have lust for humankind. some people struggle from abuse at a young age which leads to different sins. each of us carry this sinful nature like a heavy coat. and i believe with all my heart that anyone can be set free from any sin which leads us away from being obedience to the scripture. i think that if we fail to do what the Bible asks of us, we sin. James of the bible says, 'Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.' (4.17) being aware of what sin is seems to make the difference.

so you could say i'm being intolerant. but i know i'm a sinner. and i have to repent of my sin every day. but i'm trying with all my heart to allow the Spirit of God to cleanse me from the wickedness from which i was born. i try to give up my heavy coat on a daily basis. i know my sin is great, but i also know that the grace of my Father is enough for all the wrong i've done or will do. that's what it means to be free. and for this freedom i am forever grateful.

God,
i lay down my beliefs before You. i want to be righteous and holy - being right in word and deed before and at the same time being set apart of your purpose. break me of the sin which entangles me. if i'm wrong, show me where i've sinned. He have a way of turning things upside down. what i nature would do, is often the opposite of how You expect me to react. teach me to be more like You. help to be love those who cross my path. let me to friends with sinners, so they can see You in me. let my heart radiate with Your love so that others can bask in your warmth. let me love - even if it is tough love - those whom You would set before me. Father, i am not enough without You. You've changed this sinner's heart to sing Your praises. You've given me new passion, new reason to uphold what is right. and You provide the strength to flee from temptation. thanks for the reassurance that Your grace is enough, even for the worse of the sinners. thanks for transforming lives with Your Holy Spirit. thanks for still moving in the midst of the darkness. give me compassion for those who need to be loved. help me to love without judgment.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*adam *cat *robin