Open Up The Door

In response to the recently leaked video of Pastor Kim Burrell, I posted something on Facebook about how we believers should operate in the world. God is Love. As He is, so also are we in this world - Love. Yes, the Bible is clear regarding homosexuality; however, there are other sins grouped in a similar category (deadly sins, abominations). Do not be a respecter of persons saying to some that they are righteous and to others that they are sinners (see Proverbs 24:23-25). An old blog post of mine said if we do not deny the rights of some sinners, then it is out of order for us to deny those rights of others.

I do not have a Heaven or Sheol to put you in so I am not going to say who gets to go in either direction. It's enough for me to keep myself out of the hand basket! Instead of pointing the finger at those who commit sin, we should point them in the direction of the One who died for it.

We are called to preach the Gospel, which literally means the GOOD news. The fact that I have sinned (many times) yet still have been made the righteousness of God through the sacrifice of Christ, sure is good news to me! We all have sinned; here's what I did about it. Give someone else the opportunity to accept that free gift by spending our time telling them about it.

We are also called to make disciples, which does not mean beat folks over the head until they are sinless. The disciples who accompanied Jesus Himself weren't sinless, but the Master was patient and kind with them. Jesus would #leadwithlove. You know...that whole love thing, that's how Jesus responded to those within His care. We are not in charge of those entrusted to us in terms of bearing the sole responsibility to make them sinless. God wants us all to grow closer in relationship with Him. Show others how to do that. After all, it is in Him we are counted as righteous and not in you.

There are some who will only be won with judgment. The Bible is also clear about that. Shall we send you to dispense that judgment before the time? Did God delegate that task to you now? Also, who will you cast judgment on and who will you spare? From the sound of some sermons, judgment is only reserved for one type of sinner and not others. There is no place for being a respecter of persons.

I could continue citing other references like the spec vs. the plank in the eye, but I think I have made the point. Yes, you have spoken the Truth of one type of sin, but you have missed the "in love" part of speaking Truth. I am not saying we ignore the sin so folks will not be offended. It would definitely do them a disservice by acting as if sin does not exist. That's not love. The church tends to go from one extreme to the other: either we ignore the issue or we wait until it is a full blown problem and condemn it (i.e. abortion).

The body of Christ needs to collectively do a better job of building sound people brick by brick from the beginning instead of tearing already broken people down. That building process starts with the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus.

Mickey Noella

Oh, and another thing...Try being more transparent with the sins God has redeemed you from and perhaps those who want freedom from a similar entanglement (if they see it as such) will seek you out for best practices. Share your natural struggle, but also introduce them to the only One Who can add His super to it for a miraculous, supernatural breakthrough. Now, go into all the world and preach the good news Gospel!