Why isn’t more time spent on spreading the golden rule?
Question:
Yes, I did generalize your views when I inferred that the church goes after sins of the "flesh" and homophobic is one of the words I used to describe your stance. After reading your response it turned out that I was right in your case.
It seems that the church (I know that's a vague term) is interested in matters of morality in terms of sex. So why isn't the church interested in spreading the golden rule, "love thy neighbor and love thy God with all your heart?" The two principles in that saying are faith and works. Simple for a child to understand.
Alas, I do live in sin, but it's not homosexuality; I live with my girlfriend. So if you want to rebuke me get it right.
Answer:
In my previous note, I spent a good bit of time on the sin of homosexuality because I missed my guess as to the sexual sin that you were seeking to justify to yourself. Having only short letters often leaves me with insufficient information. I try to make up for it by reading in between the lines. Instead of being involved in the practice of homosexuality, you indicate that you support a person's right to live in a homosexual relationship and you condemn anyone who states that homosexuality is a sin.
The information presented in the previous letter still applies. After discussing the decay of the Gentile society, including their involvement in sexual sins such as homosexuality, Paul stated, "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32). Taking a stand to support those in sin is just as wrong as the actual practice. On some level, people understand this. We don't like lawyers who help the obviously guilty get away with their crimes.
It appears you are interested in only one-sided preaching. You want to hear about loving God, but don't want to hear about the natural consequence of that love, which is obeying God. "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). You would like to hear lessons on loving your neighbor as yourself, but you don't want to hear about the sins that harm your neighbor or yourself. "For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:9-10).
Teaching moral principles, such as sex outside of marriage is sinful, is teaching love; it teaches love for God by respecting God's commands and it teachings a love for mankind by teaching respect for others.
You see, your chosen lifestyle indicates that you have little respect for the woman you live with. You're happy to be with someone you gives you access to free sex, but you are unwilling to commit your life to her. You want the benefits of marriage, but you are avoiding the responsibilities with marriage. I feel sorry for your girlfriend and I feel sorry for a society that causes people to think that in some way this is "loving."
The message of God is a balanced message. Sins are condemned and righteousness is exalted. "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness -- indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God" (Romans 2:1-11). You will not have the full message without both the positive and negative aspects being addressed.
