Jesus Christ is God’s Plumbline, God’s Standard of measurement for each of us. As of late, the great distance between my life and the Life of Jesus Christ has been heavy on my heart. Maybe it’s because I am getting older and the day, either of His appearing or my departure to be with the Lord, is getting closer. I realize that but for the grace of God, I would certainly proceed to hell immediately after death. I certainly have concluded that I am not worthy of judging others and punishing others for their sins. Because I am a sinner, I am not eligible to join the ‘Christian(?) Vigilantes’.  Only God is in a position to look down on anyone.

(Mat 7:1)

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

It is so easy for us to think we are not so great sinners since we have not broken ‘many’ of God’s laws. Yet, what do the Scriptures say? (James 2:9-1 (NIV)

“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.’

If we are guilty of all, how can we set our vengeance on others whose sins are different from ours?

In the Book of reports 1996: Texas Baptist General Convention it is recorded:

“The Bible teaches that the ideal for sexual behavior is the marital union between husband and wife and that all other sexual relations-- whether premarital, extramarital, or homosexual -- are contrary to God’s purposes and thus sinful.  Homosexual practice is therefore in conflict with the Bible.”

I totally agree with that statement, but this sin has been selected by many Christians as being greater than other works of the flesh: Galatians 5:19 - 21 (NRSV)

1 Corinthians 6:9 - 11 (NRSV)

Jesus was harsh only with those who were blind to their own sin, like the Scribes and Pharisees. The Scribes and Pharisees would not think of eating with publicans, and sinners. Yet, Jesus associated with publicans and sinners. 

If Jesus were here today, would He not seek to save the gays? What methods would He use to inspire them to follow Him? I see Jesus loving all sinners. He set His face toward them in love, even those who rejected Him.  Jesus did not boycott sinners. 

Jesus showed anger, hostility, judgment, condemnation toward the Scribes and Pharisees who thought they were above sinners. They were unwilling to see themselves as sinners. 

Luke 18:10 - 14 (NRSV)

This same condition exists today. We just have a hard time thinking that we are ‘the chief of sinners’.  Where are the boycotts of liars and those who are hateful, wrathful, striving, envious, etc. And what about hypocrisy? Jesus spoke to the Pharisees: Matthew 21:31 (NRSV)

And equally so, the homosexuals may enter the kingdom of God before some modern day hypocrites who have not discovered the Spirit of Christ, Who said, Matt 5:44

Romans 12:20 (NRSV)

This is a quote from Prov 25:21-22.

Many Christians do these things toward alcoholics, drug addicts, ex convicts, unwed mothers, the incarcerated and some other derelicts. But yet, there are Christians who would not only refuse to render aid to a homosexual, but would deny them a place to live and employment for self support. We simply do not get as judgmental toward church members who are openly hypocritical, that is, they are different on Sunday than they are on the rest of the week, as we get toward sinners outside the church: homosexuals, prostitutes, drug addicts, people living with HIV/AIDS, etc.

There are those who have taken God’s prerogative in judgment, condemnation, and vengeance on homosexuals.  The Bible teaches that Christians are not to judge those outside the church. God will judge those outside the church:

1 Corinthians 5:9 - 13 (NRSV)

We are not to accept practicing homosexuals as church members or ordain them or use them as officers or teachers in the church. 

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NRSV)

But Paul taught that judging people outside the church is not his or the Christian’s business, but God’s business. Many Christians have a ‘Christian Vigilante’ mentality against certain kinds of sinners, especially gays. This is the same mentality of the Radical Islamic Religion which vows to kill all unbelievers, especially Christians.

When a church member is found guilty of sin, the church must “expel the wicked man from among” the church.  But even here it must be remembered that this is for the purpose of redemption: (1 Cor 5:5)

“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

There was a church member in Corinth that was guilty of adultery with his father’s wife. Paul said they must expel him, deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that is, to put an end to this fleshly sin of adultery.  But he said this is to be done so that the person may be saved in the day of the Lord.

So, excommunication is for the purpose of redemption. We must love the one who has been expelled and try to win him/her back. Evidently this man in Corinth repented, and Paul had to admonish the church to take him back:

2 Corinthians 2:6 - 8 (NRSV)

Some Christians expect the secular world to live like Christians even though they are not born again. Some of these Christians want to discipline or punish non-believers if they don’t live like Christians even though they can’t live like Christians. As we quoted above we should expect from non Christians: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Paul says we have nothing to do with judging these people. God judges those without the and vengeance belongs unto the Lord.

Romans 12:19 (NRSV)

Don’t rob God. Vengeance belongs to Him.

But Christians are to expect other Christians to live like they are born again:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSV)

Many Christians want to use the government to seek the purposes of the church and the Kingdom of God. The devil offered the kingdoms of this world to Jesus as a quick way to achieve His ends, but Jesus rejected the kingdoms of this world. Likewise, Jesus told Pilate who had asked Him:

John 18:33, 35 (NRSV)

Jesus rejected the government as a means of accomplishing His purposes. 

Paul said in Rom 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

The church has the gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the keys to the kingdom.  No amount of legislation can make America a Christian nation. It might be faster and easier to try to legislate morality and decree that America is a Christian nation. But, if as some desire, it comes to pass, it will only be a facade, a whited sepulcher.

Just as Jonah was afraid Nineveh might repent if He preached unto them, just so, many Christians are afraid that homosexuals might repent if we showed them the same kindness and understanding we show alcoholics and other sinners.

Listen to the Pharisees criticize Jesus: Luke 7:39

“Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."

We need to search our hearts to see if they are the same as Jesus’ heart toward sinners including gays. Is Jesus unwilling for gays to perish? (2 Pet 3:9)

Jesus and early Christian wielded the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the power of the Gospel to save with sinners. They did not use the State. Jesus is the One Who built the wall of separation between church and state.  He said in (Mat 22:21)

“.... Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”

Men today are trying to take that wall down.

Luke 5:30-32

“But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus associated with sinners because they needed salvation. The only way we can save sinners is through contact and association. Any unsympathetic, judgmental, and condemning association with sinners will not win them to Jesus. 

In the book by John Drakeford: The Christian View of Homosexuality, the author pointed out that homosexuals can change, but they must want to change.  But, a homosexual will not want to change without interaction with the love of God radiated through Christian people. Christian people must learn to love the homosexual while hating the sin. That simply means we have repented of sin and we don’t do those sins. But we do as Jesus did and as Paul taught: we must associate with ...

“...  the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” Otherwise, we must be removed from this world. Jesus and Paul did not boycott sinners of this world” 1 Cor. 5:10

How do we hate sin without hating the sinner? How do we hate sin and love the sinner? It is much easier to answer this question than it is to practice loving sinners while hating sin. This question has dogged Christians for centuries. I have been concerned about this question most of my Christian life. I do not believe many members of any denomination are practicing loving sinners while hating sin. The things that have made this question acute to me recently is the problem of ‘gay bashing’ and the despising of people living with HIV/AIDS. I have been doing intense soul searching of my failure to minister to gays and to victims of HIV/AIDS. It makes no difference to many Christians and churches how a person is exposed to HIV/AIDS; many refuse to minister to these persons.

So, I am trying to study how Christians should relate to persons living with HIV/AIDS. In the process of this study, I believe I have found the road I must take and a principle by which I can take this road. In my study, I found the following assessments of four attitudes toward homosexuals that are being taken among those who call themselves Christians:

1. Rejection/Punitive: There are people who both hate homosexuals and take it upon themselves to punish them.  I call these Christian Vigilantes.  James Nelson, making this analysis(1), points out that no modern theologian supports this view. Certainly, I don’t. Jesus didn’t do this even though Jesus is the only One in a position to look down on anyone.

I was about to sit down in my barber’s chair while the man who just got up was still bragging to my barber. He had caught a gay in a public park, beaten him unmercifully and threatened to kill him if he told anyone about what happened. While many have not taken this kind of physical action, they cherish this attitude in their heart which makes them guilty by the judgment of Christ.

2. Rejection/non-punitive: There are people who reject the sin of homosexuality but leave the condemnation, judgment, and punishment in God’s hands. James Nelson states that this is the view that most Christians take. It is the one I take. Karl Barth is the theologian who has represented this stance.

3. Oualified Acceptance: This approach recognizes sexual orientation as a constitutional given. We are born with our sexual orientation. Theologian Helmut Thielicke believes homosexuality is a distortion or perversion’ but falls under the grace of God. Accordingly, it is natural to be homosexual, but homosexual behavior should not be practiced. 

While I favor No. 2. Rejection/non-punitive, as long as homosexuality is recognized as a ‘perversion' and believed that it should not be practiced, I would not be critical of those who hold this position. When Adam and Eve sinned, it was cosmic in its effect. The whole creation was cursed. I have no problem believing that when Adam and Eve sinned, our genes were scrambled and that there may very well be a genetic tendency toward sin, i.e., alcoholism, homosexuality, etc.  But this does not mean we have no choice or responsibility to abstain from these tendencies. We don’t accept an alcoholic’s drinking because he is genetically inclined to be an alcoholic. No. We teach the alcoholic total abstinence from drinking. An alcoholic can’t take just one drink. The same idea applies to Homosexuality. They cannot be a practicing their homosexuality and be a member of Christ’s Church.

4. Full Acceptance: Those who hold this belief understand homosexual orientation as a given and not just a free choice. Norman Pittenger is the Psuedo theologian who has most clearly described this stance. I, of course, totally reject this position. In my opinion, Pittenger and his protégés simply do not rightly divide the word of truth. In reading a defender of this fourth position, I found that the Scriptures which deal with homosexuality were discounted by saying, “The Bible has only a few references to homosexuality.” The defender did not quote or deal with even one of the few references. How many times does God have to say something for us to believe and obey it? I cannot be a member of a church that practices this position. In my opinion, they are outside the church. Their judgment is not mine, but God’s. We can associate with them and share God’s love for them. By associating with them and eating with them we are not approving their behavior any more than Jesus was approving of sinner’s behavior by eating and drinking with them.

James Nelson states “...the majority would hold to the second or third stances.”

At any rate, accepting No 2. Rejection/non-punitive, has helped me conceptualize my attitude toward sinners of all kinds including those who have been divorced, as well as people living with HIV/AIDS and homosexuals. I am not a Christian Vigilante. We are not here to punish sinners, to bash sinners, to be hostile toward, hate, reject sinners or refuse to associate with them or to eat with them. We are here to refuse to sin, but not to be aloof from sinners.

How do we hate sin while loving sinners? The best way to answer this is to observe Jesus’ hate for sin, while loving sinners.

Read John 4:5-42. The Samaritan Woman at the Well: Jesus never displayed any hostility or rejection of this woman or punishment. He violated all social custom by even talking to this woman in a public place. He violated the hate that Jews and Samaritans had for each other by talking with her. He showed trust in her by asking for a drink of water. He tenderly led her to repentance and stayed two days in Sycar, a Samaritan city. This woman was an adulteress.

Now read John 7:53-8:11, The Woman taken in Adultery. Jesus showed absolutely no hostility toward this woman, only tender compassion. He said, “Neither do I condemn thee.” He also said, “Go, and sin no more.”

The following are verses that show Jesus’ attitude toward sinners of all kinds, eating, drinking, and entering their homes. The Scribes and Pharisee criticized Jesus for His openness toward sinners.

(Mark 2:15-17)

“And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.  And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?  When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

(Luke 6:32-34)

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.”

So often Christians gather together, eat, drink, and are merry together, while there is a world of sinners outside their fellowship, lost and going to hell. Many would not think of eating, drinking, and being merry with these lost people. It is no sin to eat, drink, and be merry with sinners outside the church. It is only a sin to commit the sins that they commit.

The following is an entry in my journal:

“3/1/97 Reading D.  S.  Warner hymn: “I Ought To Love My Savior” these lines stood out:

He loved me long ago,
Looked on my soul with favor,
When deep in guilt and woe.

My mind was impressed with this thought that God loved, felt compassion toward me, acted with mercy toward me while I was “deep in guilt and woe.”

Rom 5:8 came to mind:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died or us.”

What is my attitude, feeling, toward those who are even now deep in quilt and woe? Am I, like Christ, able to commend my love to sinners, even homosexuals, to the point of laying down my life for them even while they are yet sinners?”