I was talking with someone recently who opened the door to the biggest struggle in her faith, it's probably one of the same as yours. There's no shame in it, but she is afraid to address her stance on hot topic issues because of the backlash she would receive. The problem was, I didn't even have to ask her why.
I didn't need to ask about her surety in the Biblical text of this topic. I didn't have to question if her faith was shakeable. I didn't even wonder what her chosen position was. You see, I know this person. I know that she has a strong background in scripture, I know that she has a steadfast faith, I know where she stands.
So, I didn't need to ask why she was afraid. I didn't need to ask because I already knew.
Earlier this year, I wrote a post about my family's decision to step away from Disney because of their openness regarding LGBTQ issues. Unsurprisingly, I was bashed. I was persecuted. I was sent threats. My personal information was posted on the world's largest social network for all to see.
Over and over again the emails poured in. Direct messages, letters, comments. They thought that their repulsive rhetoric and vile words may change my Bible-backed convictions. So they continued. Some for months, some I'm still dealing with to this very day.
Yet out of those thousands, were thousands more. More who hid within the confines of their safe spaces and thanked me for being a light. Many apologizing for the horrendous attacks, admitting to being afraid of speaking out for fear of the repercussions. Many who, just like my friend, are intimidated into silence.
I think I'm in a position to say that I understand. I know it's hard. I know it isn't fun to be persecuted. I know it isn't fair to be cast aside. I know that the response is overwhelming. I know that the enemy seems stronger. I know that the costs are great.
Even though there were thousands, I read almost every bit of "hate mail". I wish I could say that they didn't bother me, but they did. Each one that called me an ugly name, or that wished ill-will upon my children, or questioned my faith, hurt. Each new, hurt the same as the first.
We have a duty in Christ to be strong (Ephesians 6:10), to fight (2 Timothy 4:7), to be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17), to be courageous (Joshua 1:9), to suffer (1 Peter 3:17), to be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12), to be hated (John 15:18). We all have a duty to stand for righteousness and spread the Gospel (Mark 16:15).
I know the opposed are loud and seem great in number. I know they will not come to reason or fight a fair fight. I know that they are boastful and proud in/of their sin. Nevertheless, Christ is with us (Deuteronomy 20:1) and He is greater (Deuteronomy 10:17).
Dake's Annotated Reference Bible-KJV
Womens We Have Overcome Victory in ChristThe New Strong's Concordance of the Bible
Never has there been a time when such a pacifying and false doctrine has been taught amongst us. Never has there been a time when the enemy has become so forthright.
What is love, if it isn't caring for your neighbors soul? What is love, if it isn't pointing them to the truth? What is love, if it isn't showing them Christ? What is love, if it isn't bearing witness? What is love, if it isn't showing them abundant life? What is love, when they're dying and going to hell?
"The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, but the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12 Hell is still real and everyday people fall into it's bellies. Is that blood on your hands? It's time for the church to show them a better way, for the church to refuse the lies and rebuke the fear of the enemy.
It's time for the church to be the giant marquee that points towards a Biblical Christ. You are your brother's keeper. You are a representative of the Lord. You are a billboard of truth. You may be the only true light a person ever sees. Souls lie in the balance between Heaven and hell.
Your words matter. Your actions matter. Your convictions matter.
It's more than just an LGBTQ issue; it's an abortion issue, it's a hate issue, it's a perversion issue, it's a lawless issue, it's an immoral issue, it's a idolatrous, covetous, broken-love issue, it's a slothful, lazy, stiff-necked issue, it's a pacifying doctrine and greedy gospel, pat you on the back because you're okay in your sin issue.
Sin is sin, no matter the sin. We can't speak out against one without addressing the others. We can't be more fervent about one, without being equally passionate about the others. No sin is greater than another, and you are called, chosen, to stand against sin and live a life of holiness.
I challenge you to read Jude 1. We are told of the last days, that the people will be mockers and vile beings. We are told that they will lust after sin. But we are told to love them into Christ, or to deliver them by fear- doing whatever it takes to pull them from the confines of their sin and out of hell.
1 Corinthians 13 tells us what love is, but Proverbs 27 tells us what love does. "Open rebuke is better than secret love" (5), "faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of the enemy are deceitful" (6), "ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel" (9).
Love is not accepting, nor tolerant. Love is gentle rebuke, honest reproof, and a true leading into restoration.
"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;" 1 Peter 3:14
