Pastor’s Corner

for Sunday March 1st
Is there shame in the truth?
If you watched the Oscars you would have heard Sean Penn's comment upon receiving the best actor award in the movie "Milk". His comment was, "I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone." and there was an eruption of applause. There is much in this statement that needs a reply but space only allows me to respond to his comment that those who voted against same sex marriage should feel great shame. What should be our Christian response? As Christians we believe that the bible is God's word to us. This is important because when we take a stand on the clear teaching of God's word we believe that we are standing on moral ground defined by God not defined by man. God's word is clear in its stance against the homosexual lifestyle and there is no shame in standing where God stands on a moral issue. Yes, we should be ashamed if our attitude toward those who are "gay" has been unkind and harsh. We should be ashamed if we have not shown compassion and love toward them and extended to them every courtesy we would anyone else. However, love compels us to speak to them about God's view of their lifestyle. It isn't loving to allow someone to remain in a state of sin and therefore under the judgment of God. So with all the sensitivity and compassion we can muster we must speak to those caught in the gay lifestyle about the grace of God and forgiveness He will extend to them if they would repent. There is no shame in that, but shame on you if you don't.
Pastor Don