What If You’re Wrong?

I have been struggling with my own sexuality and whether or not being homosexual or “BI” or whatever is really OK in the Bible. I have read your arguments and they are all good, however at the same time the Bible seems clear on its stance regardless of translation. I admire your determination in your beliefs and I am making no judgments of you or your site as I have found it to be helpful to my “problem”. …”If you answer me no other question the one I would like to ask is, What if you are wrong. Paul said that he who teaches anything other than the doctrine he gave us, is to be eternally condemned. Please be careful. I look forward to hearing from you.

In Christ’s Love,
Jason

Dear Jason,

“What if I am wrong?” Wrong about what? Being Gay? Being a minister? Playing hockey? Having a beer? Taking or not taking communion? Being Catholic, Methodist or Baptist. Having an abortion? Cutting my Hair? Speaking in tongues? Getting a tattoo? Wearing makeup? Being Baptized as a baby? Being Baptized by full immersion, sprinkling or pouring? Dying from a drug overdose? Going to a public school rather than a Christian School? Marrying a black person? Calling a person a savage because they don’t believe the way I do? Giving money to a homeless person who can really work but won’t?

In all these things God’s grace will be sufficient for me.

God Bless,
Pastor Paul

OK I am sorry, Jason, you deserve a little more of a response. Honest though the above response is pretty much it. It is, in fact, that simple. You see in this world we live in there is a lot of room for sincere mistakes — i.e. Buddhists, Jews, Muslims and all the practical actions that go with those beliefs. What if those who say “homosexuals are wrong” are wrong? See I think this is what grace is all about, because people with a free will and mind are going to make mistakes. I do not believe that God will condemn mistakes that are made in all sincerity and love for God. I think those who stand in real danger are those who deliberately set out to separate people from God.

You ask about going against doctrine, what doctrine was/is taught?

“God has made clear to you, O People, what is good; and what is desired from you by the Lord; only doing what is just, and loving mercy, and walking humbly before your God.” Micah 6:8

“For God had such love for the world that God gave God’s only Son, so that whosoever has believes in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“And a certain teacher of the law got up and put him to the test, saying, Master, what have I to do so that I may have eternal life? And he said to him, What does the law say, in your reading of it? And he, answering, said, Have love for the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and for your neighbor as for yourself. And he said, You have given the right answer: do this and you will have life.” Luke 10:25-28

“What may we say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? God who did not keep back the only Son, but gave him up for us all, will God not with him freely give us all things? Who will say anything against the saints of God? It is God who makes us clear from evil; Who will give a decision against us? It is Christ Jesus who not only was put to death, but came again from the dead, who is now at the right hand of God, taking our part. Who will come between us and the love of Christ? Will trouble, or pain, or cruel acts, or the need of food or of clothing, or danger, or the sword? As it is said in the holy Writings, Because of you we are put to death every day; we are like sheep ready for destruction. But we are able to overcome all these things and more through his love. For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers, Or things on high, or things under the earth, or anything which is made, will be able to come between us and the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

“But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will he be seated in his glory: And before him all the nations will come together; and they will be parted one from another, as the sheep are parted from the goats by the keeper. And he will put the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then will the King say to those on his right, Come, you who have the blessing of my Father, into the kingdom made ready for you before the world was: For I was in need of food, and you gave it to me: I was in need of drink, and you gave it to me: I was wandering, and you took me in; I had no clothing, and you gave it to me: when I was ill, or in prison, you came to me. Then will the upright make answer to him, saying, Lord, when did we see you in need of food, and give it to you? or in need of drink, and give it to you? And when did we see you wandering, and take you in? or without clothing, and give it to you? And when did we see you ill, or in prison, and come to you? And the King will make answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Because you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:31-40

“I give you a new command: Have love one for another; even as I have had love for you, so are you to have love one for another. By this it will be clear to all that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.” John 13:34-35

At least in my view of these six scriptures (as opposed to the six slaughter passages) and trying to live as they proscribe. If I am wrong about my being gay and it being okay that is probably the least of my problems and certainly is not the grand do all, end all sin that will keep me from God!

God Bless,
Pastor Paul