Alarming numbers of young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer are becoming homeless, kicked out of families and churches, choosing substance abuse, and even making the tragic decision to end their own lives.
When certain Pharisees — the ones who were focused on behaving the “right” way instead of loving — were nose-to-nose with Jesus, they missed him! They didn’t understand at all.
You may be doing the same thing.
This is Rob, Susan’s husband writing today and it is my sincere hope that you open your box, open your heart and listen.
Please.
Here is scripture from the book of Romans, chapter 12, verses 9 & 10:
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor
So, verse 9 begins with “Let love be without hypocrisy.” The original language there is not should, or even must, it is much much stronger. It is language that was only used in scripture when talking about GOD’S love. So this verse insists, demands, commands you to love AS GOD LOVES.
Wow. Please let that sink in.
Let YOUR love be like God’s love – perfect, without hypocrisy, without condition, without limit.
Loving each other is the core message and subject of this passage – and the same theme continues in verse 10 where it says “be devoted to one another in brotherly love and give preference to one another in honor” – or outdo one another by honoring each other.
I wonder if you or I even come close to any of this so far?
So, sandwiched in between these dramatically strong commands to unconditionally love and overwhelmingly honor each other is “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Do you think that maybe, just maybe this part might have to do with the rest of the passage?
Might it be connected to loving and not loving — instead of “behavior” issues – like the Pharisees and so many in the non-affirming church focus on?
Could the evil God wants us to hate be NOT loving people in the unconditional, amazing, radically inclusive way God loves us?
Is THAT the good we should be clinging to?
Without question… absolutely!
And this could change everything!
FreedHearts is a nonprofit organization helping free the hearts of parents to fully love, accept and affirm their LGBTQI children; free the hearts of LGBTQI to heal shame from family, religious and community wounds; and free the hearts of those in the faith community to be lavishly inclusive. We have private support groups for parents, comprehensive video courses, and other extensive resources. Just CLICK HERE: https://www.freedhearts.org/
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