In my previous post I wrote about how we, as Christians, need to have compassion rather than standing in judgement of the LGBT community. My heart has been broken for the way the Church in general has wounded those who do not know the Lord.
However, the "Great Gay Debate" of last week concerning the owner of Chik-Fil-A's statements about not agreeing with gay marriage brought about a debate so nasty and full of hate that God began to convict me about my attitude towards those Christians I so wholeheartedly disagree with. I read Christians judging and spewing hate towards each other that was so shocking and heart-wrenching that God was able to open my eyes and make me realize how horrible my own attitude towards those Christians is. I asked in my last post if those Christians were heartbroken over these people they judge so harshly, if they genuinely loved those people, or if they were just "standing up for what is right" in their eyes? However, I did not ask MYSELF those questions
I have read many posts from like-minded Christians who are speaking up about a change in attitude, much like I did in the last post. However, as I read comments, and the replies to those comments I became aware that the attitudes and the spirits behind both sides of nastiness are one and the same. I realized that we were standing in judgement, unforgiving, self-righteous judgement, of those who are standing in the same type of judgement towards the LGBT community. Perhaps, I should re-iterate that I was standing in that type of judgement.
God has convicted me of this attitude. While I stand by the fact that attitudes need to be transformed into love, which can only happen through the Lord, it is not just the attitudes of those I blogged about in the previous post, but it is the attitude I have expressed. It is not enough to be heartbroken. Heartbreak can lead to many emotions: resentment, hate, etc. However, heartbreak where the one who is heartbroken seeks the Lord for healing, will lead to love for those involved.
Positive, godly change cannot happen without love for each other, and those around us on all sides. When someone disagrees, it is not love that answers in belittling, condescending ways.
So again I ask, where does your heart lay? What is at the root of your attitude to those who believe differently (within the Church, and without)? And I challenge you, as I am doing: to seek the Lord, and let Him transform your heart.
However, the "Great Gay Debate" of last week concerning the owner of Chik-Fil-A's statements about not agreeing with gay marriage brought about a debate so nasty and full of hate that God began to convict me about my attitude towards those Christians I so wholeheartedly disagree with. I read Christians judging and spewing hate towards each other that was so shocking and heart-wrenching that God was able to open my eyes and make me realize how horrible my own attitude towards those Christians is. I asked in my last post if those Christians were heartbroken over these people they judge so harshly, if they genuinely loved those people, or if they were just "standing up for what is right" in their eyes? However, I did not ask MYSELF those questions
I have read many posts from like-minded Christians who are speaking up about a change in attitude, much like I did in the last post. However, as I read comments, and the replies to those comments I became aware that the attitudes and the spirits behind both sides of nastiness are one and the same. I realized that we were standing in judgement, unforgiving, self-righteous judgement, of those who are standing in the same type of judgement towards the LGBT community. Perhaps, I should re-iterate that I was standing in that type of judgement.
God has convicted me of this attitude. While I stand by the fact that attitudes need to be transformed into love, which can only happen through the Lord, it is not just the attitudes of those I blogged about in the previous post, but it is the attitude I have expressed. It is not enough to be heartbroken. Heartbreak can lead to many emotions: resentment, hate, etc. However, heartbreak where the one who is heartbroken seeks the Lord for healing, will lead to love for those involved.
Positive, godly change cannot happen without love for each other, and those around us on all sides. When someone disagrees, it is not love that answers in belittling, condescending ways.
So again I ask, where does your heart lay? What is at the root of your attitude to those who believe differently (within the Church, and without)? And I challenge you, as I am doing: to seek the Lord, and let Him transform your heart.
