Straight or Gay, Sin is Sin

Straight or Gay, Sin is Sin - Published in the Holland Sentinel on November 12, 2007

I am a Christian. What should I say then about sin? How should I deal with my own sins? How should I treat others regarding their sins?

The Bible says it is a sin to seek revenge against others. However, I cannot allow someone who has wronged me to go unpunished. What lies should I say to myself? "It is justice that I seek, not vengeance. If God didn't want me to get even with my enemies, then he would not have made me so judgmental." If I love God I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin to steal. My brother commits grand larceny. What lies should I say to him? "Many people have an innate desire to take that which does not belong to them. God made you a thief and he loves you just as you are. You have done no wrong and you have no need to change your ways." If I love him I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin to lie. My sister lies all the time. What lies should I say to her? "Everybody tells lies. We cannot help being the way we are. God has no problem with your lack of integrity. He loves it when people deceive others." If I love her I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin to commit adultery. My mother confesses to me that she has engaged in numerous affairs. What lies should I say to her? "It is OK, Mom, for you to have affairs, because God put those desires in your heart. You have no reason to feel regret, remorse or shame. God understands your lustful appetite and will bless you for being open about it." If I love her I will not.

The Bible says it is a sin for a man to lie with another man as he would a woman. My son tells me that he is gay and that he wants me to accept him for who he is. What lies should I say to him? "Son, that is great! God created each of us in His image and if you are gay that means God is gay. Your sexual tendencies are part of who God made you to be. There is nothing wrong with what you are doing. God accepts you just as you are." If I love him I will not.

I am a Christian. I understand the truth that I, like all people, am a born sinner. I have accepted the fact that I was born into a sinful world with sinful tendencies in my heart. I also realize that God despises my sin and will not accept me into his kingdom unless I am cleansed of my sins.

I am a Christian. I know that by my own power, I cannot overcome my sins. I believe that Jesus willingly sacrificed himself on the cross so that I can be rescued from the eternal consequences of my sins. I have accepted God's revelation that without faith in Christ, I am still subject to God's righteous judgment.

I am a Christian. I have heard the call of God to repent of my sins. I have sought out the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed my sins to Him. I have asked Jesus to have mercy on me in spite of my sinful nature and to forgive me of my sins. By His mighty power and loving grace, He has granted my request.

I am a Christian. I have received forgiveness for my sins from the only one who can forgive sins. I have heard His call to repent and will dedicate the rest of my life to the process of repentance. I will reject my sinful nature and my sinful desires and I will trust in God to help me be pure, as He is pure.

I am a Christian. Although my sins have been forgiven and my salvation is secure, I know that I will occasionally stumble and even fall. In spite of my sinful shortcomings and in spite of the world's ridicule of me, I will do my part to lead others to repentance, so that they too may one day rejoice in heaven.

I am a Christian. What shall I say then to my brother, my sister, my mother and my son? Shall I tell them that I want each of them to be saved as I am saved? Shall I share the truth about sin with them? Shall I try my hardest to convince them to seek Jesus' forgiveness for their sins? If I love them I will.