This is a word or idea that has caused much suffering to GLBT people. This word has been misused and used to injure to many times. However I recently read a quote by Brian McLaren that is fitting whenever things are misused:
" the best antidote to misuse is not disuse is proper use."
Recently I was doing a study on judgment because I have had a time reconciling the nature of God with what many preach about his use of judgment. We tend to view judgment in a negative light. Maybe as GLBT people you have been told in no uncertain terms , nevertheless unloving way that as a gay person you will receive God's judgment and go to Hell! However judgment is not about punishment of gays, or a negative thing, but lets look at it with a fresh perspective.
Judgment is about justice. Justice is about fairness and setting things right, according to God's definition not the church or the Christian Right. Judgment is a good thing when properly understood.
It means justice and truth coming into our world. For example it means people coming to understand that homosexuality is not a choice or sin but rather a characteristic of people like eye color, etc. What would happen if this truth became understood across the world. This would put an end to hate and prejudice toward GLBT people.That is a definition of Justice.
God judges discrimination and hatred towards GLBT people as unjust, but his desire is to bring the guilty into truth by changing their mindset from prejudice to understanding and acceptance.
Judgment therefore is not about Hell. Hell is what we have with a lack of judgment. But those who repent "change their minds, see the truth" will be saved or delivered from their error and sin against others which will change their lives.
God's judgment is meant to stop oppression, and deception. The more severe understanding of God's judgment are for those who persist in evil, oppression, hatred and refuse to turn from their ways to the truth. Not Truth as man interprets it but as God has defined it in Christ and his teachings.
Let me be clear this severe judgment is not reserved for GBLT people because they are gay but it will be reserved for those who refuse to love all people and who cause damage to people's faith because of their own personal judgment or doctrine. I have often said that " God is not so concerned with who I love but he takes issue with who I hate.
God does bring "conviction" through His Holy Spirit to parts of our lives we may be decieved about. He does this to save us a lot of trouble and so we can find the truth and live the kind of Life that Christ has called us to.
"So Often the danger or evil we face is self-created, self-inflicted, self-sabotaging- and we keep doing it because we are self-deluded and self-deceived through denial. By judging our evil, by naming it for what it is, by penetrating our denial and self-delusion, God begins saving us". Brain McLaren
God is Love and is committed to us, which as any good parent includes correction and guidance. But he will never condemn us for who we are but will correct us for what we do. If we use or hurt people God will speak to that because he is just. He is no respecter of persons whether they be gay or straight. He wants us to live full lives full of his joy and peace.
Judgment + mercy = salvation
Judgment - mercy = condemnation
which leads to guilt and alienation. Many GLBT people have believed the lies of false teachers and so have misjudged God and therefore are living alienated from God. They falsely believe that God is against them and that they cannot experience the Love, Peace and joy of relationship with him.
However the only ones who are against us are those who preach such hate-filled "bad news" gospels that misrepresent God. It is my mission to proclaim that God desires to bring All people into relationship with himself. The fullest Life, Joy and Peace that salvation brings is for all!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment