Over the past few years, I've been very active in the LGBT community, not just as a Christian, but as a human being. It's been my personal mission to help other Christians open their hearts and minds and let love in. I want to be clear, it's not my intention or effort to transform the Christian religion. It is my effort to help Christians transform themselves. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Through our faith in Christ, we are new creations, called to be Christ-like and to live out our faith. We cannot simply call ourselves Christians if we are not living out our faith. James 2:17 says, "
So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." I firmly believe that this is where our faith is hurting the most: Christians not being good examples of our faith. It is the reason our church membership is in decline, and why so many have such a negative view of the church.
I wanted to share a little bit about my background before I launch into this message. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church. Where I come from, Southern Baptists don't have the best reputation for love and acceptance. Granted, not all are like that. I've met many who are quite open minded. But this wasn't the case in the church I grew up in. Hellfire and damnation were more frequent messages than loving others. I grew up with this mindset and accepted it as "right" because it was what the preacher told me. However, as I got older, I began to question this form of Christianity. As I got older and began to open my heart more to God's love, I experienced a transformation. I began to realize more and more about the true nature of Christianity, and our call to love and accept others. I began to understand more about our call to be examples of our faith. Romans 12:2 says, "
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We all have the capacity within ourselves to grow and change, we just have to open our hearts and let love in.
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Gallup poll notes this decline. From 1994, those who identify with the Christian religion have been in decline. From 94% to 85%. That is a pretty significant drop! There are a large number of factors that contribute to this, but I believe a large portion of that is the perception of Christianity. If people perceive something they believe in, such as religion, to negatively impact the world around them, they will withdraw from religion. I predict people will continue to withdraw from the church if we, as Christians, don't transform ourselves and make a genuine effort to help transform our fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
One thing that we, as Christians, need to improve on is being Christ-like. We need to show Christ to the world through our actions. 1 John 2:6 says, "
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." 1 Peter 2:21 says, "
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." The Bible is very clear on being called to be Christ-like. We an example not just of our faith, but of our Lord. A good place to start is with Christ's words and
The Great Commandment. In Matthew 22:35-39, Jesus said, "
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." These are very bold words. When asked what the most important thing is, Jesus responded with two answers: love God, and love each other. It is very important to note that this is not an exclusive statement nor were there exceptions or exemptions placed upon it. It is an inclusive statement. Christ very clearly stated that we are to love each other, and he ended that statement with a period, not an "...unless".
But how are we, as Christians, to love others? 1 John 4:8 says, "
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." The Bible is very clear that loving others is a foundation of the Christian faith. It is also a selfless act. John 15:13 says, "
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." The Bible is very clear that we are to love without regard for ourselves. In fact, Philippians 2:4 goes on to say, "
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." To truly love with the nature of the Christian faith means to love others unconditionally.
One of the most important things we need to do, as Christians, is to remove a certain phrase from our vocabulary. I can't tell you how many times a week I hear people stating that the Bible says, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." This is extraordinarily inaccurate and a horrible representation of our faith.
First, we need to analyze this phrase and debunk it, so that we can fully move away from it. The phrase "Love the Sinner, Not The Sin" is not in the Bible, it's from St. Augustine. One of his letters, Letter 211 (c. 424), contains the Latin phrase "
Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum", which translates to "
With love for mankind and hatred of sins." The phrase later appeared as "
love the sinner but hate the sin" or "
hate the sin and not the sinner" from Gandhi's 1929 autobiography. But this phrase never appeared in the Bible.
It is crucial that we, as Christians, remove this phrase from our vocabulary. Romans 5:8 says, "
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Christ did not make exceptions or exclusions from his loving action to redeem us. He did not separate people when he laid down his life. Christ loved all, welcomed all and died for all. The act of "hating the sin" is casting judgment upon other people, which the Bible very clearly tells us not to do. Matthew 7:1 clearly states, "
Judge not, that you be not judged." "Hating the sin" is a way that many Christians will judge others, as it allows people to form a negative opinion of another person and to judge them. Therefore, let us not "hate the sin", let us simply love each other, as we are called to do. Christ loved us without any exception, and to be Christ-like means we should do that with others.
We need to watch the things we say about others. Almost daily I see the most hateful statements coming from my fellow Christian brothers and sisters. James 4:11 says, "
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers." James 1:26 says, "
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." As Christians, we truly need to watch what we say about others. The Bible very clearly tells us not to speak evil or negative things about other people.
Ephesians 4:29 says, "
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." There is no reason for a Christian to speak negative statements about other people. It is crucial that we are mindful of our words and speak things that will build others up, not tear people down.
We need to recognize that all are equal in God's eyes. Galatians 3:28 says, "
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." We need to recognize that we are all one, that we are all equal. We need to celebrate diversity and love one another regardless of our differences. It is time to put those differences aside and pull together, not pull apart. Romans 2:11 says, "
For God shows no partiality." As Christians, we should strive to live up to that standard. To show no partiality, but to realize that despite all the differences between us, we are all one in God's eyes.
As Romans 15:7 says, "
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you." I have lost count how many times I've heard "You can't be _______ and be a Christian." We need to eliminate this mindset and welcome and show acceptance to all people. If we can truly recognize diversity and equality and come to embrace other people without exception, we can show a welcoming and accepting nature as Christ did. Luke 15:2 says, "
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." It was no secret, Luke 7:34 mentions that Jesus was "
a friend of tax collectors and sinners". If Jesus showed a spirit of welcome to all people, it is our duty to be Christ-like and show that same spirit to all people, as well.
As Christians, we are the examples of our faith. Matthew 5:16 says, "
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." As I mentioned earlier, the Christian faith is in decline because of how we, as Christians, have shown our faith to the world. This is why I am calling upon my fellow Christian brothers and sisters to experience a transformation. John 13:35 says, "
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another", and Matthew 7:16 says, "
By their fruit you will recognize them." We are called to be examples of our faith, and to show Christ to the world. We can not expect to reach people with Christ's message if we don't first show Christ to the world. We can not expect to see more people share in our Christian faith if we are not acting like Christ.
I truly believe that Christians have it within themselves to fully transform themselves and how they show their faith to the world through selfless love, sacrifice and acceptance. I pray that more Christians will open their hearts and minds and embrace this and we will see a full transformation.
