How do I respond to sin?

     What am I supposed to think of this he Supreme Court ruling enabling gay couples to solemnize their unions? How should I react to this as a Christian? And why is this issue different from other institutionally sponsored activities that I find contrary to my faith? Judging from the responses and discussions that filled up my Facebook page many people feel very strongly, one way or the other, about this issue. My status as a believer informs and shapes all my societal transactions. So how do I assimilate this new facet of my life?

     Despite my embrace, perhaps acceptance would be a better word, of God’s great gift of salvation, I remain a sinner. Oh I clean up fairly well. Ask anyone who knew me in the dark years of ’79 - ’81 and they probably will remember a very different young man. Over the passing years God scuffed off a lot of rough edges, making me more presentable. Now, most people would say I’m a decent citizen. But they do not see inside me, the dark corners where the battle for my heart and soul still rages. On the rare occasion that I get to sing, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” the following stanza brings tears to my eyes every time.

“O to grace how great a debtor

daily I'm constrained to be!

Let thy goodness, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here's my heart, O take and seal it,

seal it for thy courts above.”

     I know, theologically speaking, God does not see me this way. I know that His grip on me is relentless and His hand is not slack. I know that many think of the final sentence as a “bad confession.” But, as someone who’s failed miserably, I know the terrible weakness of my flesh. I must totally lean upon and depend on His strong right arm and gracious outpouring of love to see me through. So when I start thinking about those who participate in the GLBT lifestyle, I always remember that we are fellow sinners in need of God’s tender mercy.

     My sins, current failings, pass the societal litmus test for “good guy.” For the most part, the battles they generate remain on the inside. Of course, my waistline is on the outside; but thanks to advice from my doctor and support from my lovely wife, there is less of the waste-line (you figure out the pun) on the outside for others to see. I remember growing up when divorce was the big bugga-boo. In the name of doctrinal and spiritual purity we ostracized anyone who endured that particular trial, disregarding the pain and suffering we generated. So many men, women, and children endured needless hurt at the hands of believers. Finally a few brave souls reached out, bringing God’s love to the wounded and hurting. Today, we exhibit a bit more graciousness to those whose lives have been touched by that exacting human failing. You see, sin is sneaky and pernicious. Satan likes nothing so much as to get me comfortable in my pew. From the comfort of my well-padded seat in the air-conditioned auditorium it is easy to throw stones. It is much hard to heave a rock while on my knees in abject brokenness. Physical and spiritual physics make it much harder. Yes, the GLBT lifestyle is a sin that displeases God. But so is my support of governmental policies that put the poor at risk. Or my continued support of businesses that make extraordinary profits through abusive work-place practices. Or perhaps, my second or third lingering glance at the shapely young woman in summer shorts. Or even closer to my heart and soul, my inability to forgive someone who recently defamed me through gossip; we make nice noises at each other on those rare moments when we meet. But deep in my heart, I’m hurt and angry, stoking the fires of resentment. As a sinner I stand next to the flamer, the murderer, the drug or pornography addict. I must remember that the stairway to heaven is not built out of the rotten wood of my good deeds. Any response to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court must include my understanding that I too stand in desperate need of God’s grace.

     When establishing our nation, the founding fathers sought to create a society which provided people the freedom to choose. We departed from the, then common, European societal model which sought to more closely circumscribe personal affairs, such as religious belief. The founding fathers took a great leap forward when they allowed citizens to make their own decisions regarding faith. We enjoy the freedom of practicing and publicly professing our faith. Those who choose otherwise enjoy the freedom to not practice faith. That’s the challenge of freedom of religion, we can practice or not. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua issues the challenge, “…choose this day…” In fact, God originated freedom of choice. He allowed Adam and Eve the option, choose well or choose poorly. We show a steadfast proclivity for choosing poorly. As citizens of a pluralistic nation we must learn to navigate contrary opinions with grace and patience; both traits God employs lavishly when dealing with us. If we intend to maintain an effective witness in our country, we must learn how to disagree without being offensive. Given the history of the religious wars of the Europe, bloody conflicts which swept across the continent for decades, I believe a pluralistic society with all its attendant challenges is much better. Should you desire a more recent example, consider the horrors inflicted upon the Middle East in the name of religion. If God can be comfortable with giving people choice perhaps we need to assume a similar viewpoint. We need to be sure about our role in the larger sweep of the human drama.

     We frequently assume the role of convicter / judge, actively seeking out platforms to tell people that they are sinners. I regularly read postings and blogs in which the author rants to an unseen audience about their depravity. Watch almost any newscast and sooner or later you’ll see someone waving a placard decrying or supporting the issue at hand. I frequently cringe when I see someone spouting hatred toward another group all the while claiming to serve the “Prince of Peace.” We forget the passage in John 16 where Jesus succinctly lays out some of the roles of the Holy Spirit; one of which is to convict the world concerning sin. Evidently one of the key roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict or reveal sin to the world. I do not claim to fully understand this; however, I do notice that Jesus did not lay that particular burden on me. God takes care of that particular bit of business.

     I get to share the good news; God loves us and took care of our sin problem. Perhaps if I spent more time loving my fellow man, meeting their needs, and binding up their wounds they would be more receptive to the gospel. Of course it is easier to work up some self-righteousness and rant about the world going to hell in a handbasket, as if that has changed since the fall. Instead of pointing out the obvious, we struggle with sin; we should spend more time and energy loving those God places in our path. After all, God loved us first and continues to do so, despite our abject failure. Perhaps that’s the real Christian response to this, or any, cultural problem.

     We live in a broken and fallen world. We should never expect our culture, which is made up of many who reject God out of hand and a great many Christians who endeavor to keep God at arm’s length, to live in a fashion which glorifies God. Those of us who live in the U.S. ought to spend more time and energy thanking God that we live in a country which allows and in some ways encourages (can anyone say tax-breaks for charitable contributions) religious activities. Yes, it makes me sad when I see people living in ways that make it harder for them to see God. But, I feel no surprise. Instead I need to look for ways to reach out to the community in which I live and move, showing God’s love to them in the ways I interact with and treat them. Loving the unlovable, that’s truly hard work. But Jesus paved the way, showing me how to love even the unlovable. After all, He loved Judas all the way into the garden, and beyond.