Matthew 19:19
Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.
John 3:17
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Most people in same-sex relationships don’t leave the church because they were told this is wrong. They leave because they were dehumanized, ridiculed, and excluded. Truth should never be used or even perceived as a weapon to devalue or dehumanize anyone.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we never find him standing against people. He was always sitting with people because he was always interested in who they were first. He showed compassion, empathy, and understanding. Jesus spoke the truth into people’s lives without devaluing them.
Love is commanded; agreement is optional.
Jesus wasn’t afraid to love people where they were while reaching out to them in love and calling them to something more. Like Jesus, we’re going to sit with people in love in order to earn the trust required to share any sort of truth. Ask God today for the help of the Holy Spirit to do this well!