Sodomite Suppression Act

[JayRay]

Okay, I'm going to get in on this one before it DOES get thrown out...

Jesus Christ came to this world to save all mankind, and that includes LGBTs. Now, this statement might seem a bit much when you see these people running around and waving signs, and bible verses that seem to contradict what I'm saying now. Understand that there are traditionalists in all religions, all works, but even through this, a true Christ-like person, one who keeps Christ within him should embrace all as he would any other.

"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone" comes to mind in a day when too many traditional groups snub their noses up at homosexuals, those with alternative lifestyles, even people who have tattoos and piercings as 'ungodly'. The way I see it, if I see someone head to toe with tattoos and piercings sitting in the back of my church, I'll invite him to sit right next to me, share my bible if he didn't bring one, because this man, no matter what his lifestyle, took time out of his schedule to come and have a relationship with God. I've seen people of all walks of life come together for the ministry to the world, and if God can use a criminal, a persecutor, a collection agent, a drunk, a harlot, and even a donkey to spread his word, then he can use anyone, and if anyone can be a vessel for the Lord, then anyone should be accepted by the Lord's Chosen.

Martin Niemöller once stated an interesting quote...
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin then spent seven eyars in a Nazi concentration camp, and afterwards in 1946, penned these words.

""Thus, whenever I chance to meet a Jew known to me before, then, as a
Christian, I cannot but tell him: 'Dear Friend, I stand in front of you,
but we can not get together, for there is guilt between us. I have
sinned and my people has sinned against thy people and against
thyself.'"

Sure, martin was talking about his own anti-semitism, but if we correlate this today, once could write.

"I did not speak up when they persecuted homosexuals, because I'm not a homosexual"

"I did not speak up when they persecuted Muslims, because I'm not a Muslim"

"I did not speak up when they persecuted drug-users, because I'm not a drug user"

"I did not speak up when they persecuted other races, because I'm none of those."

"I did not speak up when they persecuted the murderers, because I have not killed..."

"And when my time for judgement arrived, there was no one left to witness for me."

We as a church should not stand by while people in our own circles persecute people, whether they believe them or their sin to be 'an abomination' or not. It's not our place. There is one judge for this world, and if any of our so-called interpreters would simply bow their will to His, the Church itself would not get so much negative criticism from the masses, as trying to invoke the law like they themselves were the hand of God, instead of the personification of Jesus' mercy and grace in this world.

I for one, am a King of the Most High, a child of God, and I feel that my relationship with God is no greater than some LGBT 'sinner' who comes to God for salvation. "For all have sinned, and fallen short of the Glory of God"; that's straight, gay, bi-sexual, atheist, theist, polytheist, old, young, wise, foolish, EVERYONE.

Paul was once a great persecutor of the early Church, but God found a way to get him to 'see' things more clearly, and I can only sit back in wonder as to how he'll change this man's life in a way that brings Glory to His name, and sanctifies his mercy and grace to all people.

In conclusion, I do hope everyone is having a great day, and I'll talk to some of you later on IRC.