God's Good Design

Christian maturity involves “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).  We do speak up; the Lord calls us always to be ready to give an account of the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15).  As Jesus’ ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we have been sent into his world with a message to share—the word of Life.

But the manner of our speech is crucial; how we say what we say makes a huge difference. Love is the greatest command (Matthew 22:37-40)—loving God and neighbor.  So, even if others hate us, we are called to love our enemies in word and deed (Luke 6:35).

We follow in the steps of the One who was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  Truth without grace is severe; grace without truth is sentimental.  Thoughtful Christians hold the two together.

Nowhere is this more urgent than in today’s cultural conver­sation about LGBTQ+ issues.  Of course, it is never just “issues”:  on all sides of this intense controversy we find real people, men and women made in God’s image and to whom Jesus’ arms are open wide—human beings just like us.  Amidst the debates about sex, then, we do well to pause, pray, and proceed with humility.

But don’t twist humility into avoidance.  Don’t fall for the claim that “gay marriage” is a topic on which we can just agree to disagree and talk about the weather instead.  Our kids and friends and neighbors (etc.) need help from God’s Word to sort this out, and that means you broaching the topic in a kind, clear manner.  We don’t love others well if we muffle the Bible’s message on some­thing as important as marriage and sexuality.

Jesus taught that, from the beginning, God designed the one-flesh union for man and woman in marriage (Matthew 19:4-6).  Period.  Of course, this clashes with LGBTQ+ conduct—even as it confronts heterosexual promiscuity and cohabitation.  God put boundaries around sex for our good. Are you willing to trust his wisdom?

This Sunday at 10:00 a.m. our adult classes are combined for teaching and discussion of this topic (see info here).