NOT 4 the Faint of Heart

[BodhiDharma]

God hates ** homosexuals.

I didn't say it, nor believe it, but it's in your bible.

** Edit: Reworded for language

Edited August 9, 2004 by BobTriez

[ayin jade]

Our bible says that God hates sin. God loves all of us which is why he sent Jesus to save us. God hates sin. God cant stand sin. Honosexuality is a sin, which God abhors.

I am curious about the way you phrased that though.........what are your intentions here?

[Clear Lisa]

I just want to tell you that God has been speaking (or maybe shouting) this very topic into my life for the last few months. We've just built a new church building and I'm seeing very clearly the types of behaviours you speak of. I didn't see it, or maybe I'm naive enough to think it didn't exist in our old building.

It's hard for anyone to look down their nose when their face is turned to God. I try hard to remember that.

I've been so blessed by your posting, you can't even imagine. If anyone feels so enclined, I'll ask for prayer for my congregation, so we may further God's work, and not divide over the work of a building. Please and thank you.

Clear Lisa

[WISDOM]

Let me be the first (I believe) to welcome you to WorthyBoard, Clear Lisa!

I will stand together with you in th prayer request you made in your post. I hope all went well with the new church's building and that the people who fellowship there with you will realize their calling and will allow our FATHER to inspire them to reflect MORE of HIM and less of themselves.

Isn't it amazing how our LORD places things on our hearts to see and ask for better guidance in dealing with through HIS power? I'm sure it wasn't an "accident" that HE placed this burden in your thoughts/heart over the last three months. You have the power to impact many souls (saved/unsaved) for HIS sake.

Please just allow HIM to utilize the abilities/gifts HE's already instilled in you to help let others see HIM through your actions, verbally, non-varbally and visually. It only takes one small mustard seed to blossom into a huge bush!

Clear Lisa.....be that faithful "mustard seed" right there in the congregation where HE has "planted" YOU!!

**Galatians 2:20; 5:22-23.......Ephesians 3:17-19.....Hebrews 12:1-2**

[Guest heavenbound4u]

This is an excellent thread. This has been an issue, I believe, that has been contaminating the church of God for some time now. I am very pleased to see that there are other people who are concerned enough to look beyond the image of the church and admit that there are a few problems. Alot of the misconceptions about church arise in the prejudices people hold while preaching the word of God.

I know alot of people who think church is hypocritical because the church elders or prominent people in the church look down their noses at the less "sociably acceptable" people there. Me myself not comming from a prominent backround have seen and experienced this.

It saddens me to see Gods tools used to push people away from his arms. I think that this may happen when a chuch becomes to involved with an image or standard they percieve in the world. As a church you have to seperate yourselves from the world so you do not get caught up with it. God did not intend his house to be a pillar in the community or socially acceptable function his church is there so that we can be with him, fellowship with each other, preach his word, and bring other people to know the love and mercy of the Lord. Who are we to say or judge who is worthy of the Lords love? So what if he or she looks like they stepped from a trash can, does God see that? No, God sees his child who he made and loves. As people who represent the work of the Lord they should convey it properly not as a judgemental person would.

But I am glad to see that this many people care enough about this issue. I am blessed enough to go to a big church who accepts everyone and rejoice in the Lord together. My pastor was talking about something like this a while ago and he agreed that it is wrong for people who have a part in the church to start thinking that they are more worthy just because they are doing God's work because when you start doing that you miss the objective of Gods work; that we are all sinners and need forgiveness and salvation from God. No one is better, Jesus died on that cross for everyone not just the people lower on the social scale.

[WISDOM]

And I agree with EVERYTHING you said HB4U!!

I try to use the image of the 1st century as my guiding rule of thinking. They met in homes fellowshiping, breaking bread together, laughing, encouraging & exhorting one another.....praising our LORD/SAVIOUR with songs of worship...never concerned about the "building", but instead with each other....sharing what they had so that all were in one accord allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to regenerate the hearts of the brethren towards one another, "and HAVING FAVOR WITH ALL THE PEOPLE" (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-35).

And lies and deceitfulness were not tolerated (Acts 5:1-11). Today we tolerate this too much and it has permeated the very Body of CHRIST to the point whereby it leaves a VERY bad taste in my mouth. Too many of us have FORGOTTEN our "calling" and the purpose we're here.

Our FATHER wants us to be empowered by HIM, NOT because some church board says what is right and wrong. Whatever they say/decide must ALWAYS (notice I didn't say should) line up with Scripture....and if there is ANY doubt, one must allow the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO is the AUTHOR of the Book to give clarity when needed.

The "church" is inside your heart, because it is alive in you and I. It is not the steel, brick, cement, wood, and glass we walk into every Sunday (or any other day of the week). When you and I stand before the Judgement Seat of CHRIST I can guarantee you one fact for sure.......the church building we attend WILL NOT BE sitting on the ground/cloud/surface BEHIND us!

When people see us they see the "Church"....and when they "see" the Church they should "see" JESUS CHRIST! If they don't, then YOU and I need to put ourselves in check and troubleshoot our spiritual walk! :suspect:

[Guest yod]

::::applause:::::

No wonder your name is WISDOM

[WISDOM]

And I, Bro yod, lack a lot of it personally, thus my alias for I am TOTALLY dependent on HIS!

**James 1:5......Psalm 32:8; 51:6.....Ecclesiastes 2:26.....Proverbs 2:1-22; 1:20-33; 4:1-27; 8:1-36; 9:1-12**

For the record bruh, I have delightfully learned much from your posts/threads! You are a GODsend for this Board..... :)

[Guest yod]

ah yes...being totally dependant on His wisdom is the wisest thing one could do...

[GoodSamaritan]

Honosexuality is a sin, which God abhors.

Um, you want to give us a Bible verse IN CONTEXT that says God hates homosexuals? Since God is Love, I find it hard to believe He 'hates' any one of his creations.

Regarding homosexuality, it's clear that homosexual practice is one of those sins which kills--a mortal sin. It's LESS clear, however, that having homosexual tendencies and being attracted to the same sex is a sin. God does not hold people accountable for merely 'being'. Does He hold a recovering alcoholic accountable simply because he is an alcoholic? Of course not. You may think it's a matter of semantics but it's not, it's a matter of ACTION. Homosexuals are called to a life of chastity and are still called by God to fulfill His will in their lives. Has anyone ever looked at a person's homosexual nature as the cross they must bear? Compassion would not be a bad idea with regard to homosexuals, IMO.