Laodicean Christian Carrie Underwood Supports Gay Marriage

Here's my thing about all this.  It is one thing to flaunt sin and advocate it along with supporting it and celebrating it.  It's another to recognize it as sin and repent.  To repent means to change ones mind and acknowledge before God that homosexuality or any other sin is wrong.
I believe it is possible to love the sinner but hate the sin.  Just as I wouldn't want anyone flaunting their sin in my face or forcing me to accept their sin, no matter what it may be, in my face and I wouldn't do that to them either.  To celebrate it seems to be flying in the face of God.  To repent is quite another. That would be like any of using a public forum (like many of these stars and famous people) to advocate anything...drunkeness, drugs, sexual addiction and the list goes on.  Some sins are more obvious than others but that doesn't make the ones that aren't any better.
I have empathy for people that hate their sin and am merciful toward them.  Look at that man who was brutaly beaten to death after being tied to a fence.  What about those who have committed suicide over their particular sin?  Do we condone murder?  Do we condone and happily accept the death of one who has committed suicide?
Don't get me wrong.  I don't think these famous people should be using a public platform as a political platform or to endorse anything that God is clearly against. It leaves one sickened to hear everyone clap at their promoting sin.  We can be forgiven but our physical sins especially, do have physical consequences.

I see what you mean, and we should and do have compassion for those who are homosexual, it is a very difficult sin to overcome, but as for publicly condoning the sin as the above article is all about, or even privately condoning the sin that is not a biblical stance that should be taken. Having compassion and love for a sinner whether it be sexual or otherwise is what the Lord wants us to do. Scripture is clear on this subject. Thanks for clarifying Liz.

That's the way I've always understood (in all the teachings I've read) the Laodicean church too be also, John.  Mixing law with grace.
Here's just one commentary by Jack Kelley:

The Advent Of The Laodicean Church.  (commentary)
gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/spiritual-life/the-advent-of-the-laodicean-church/

Fair Use for Information and Discussion Purposes

LOL, I have some other ones on the Laodicean church by others, but I thought I'd post Jack Kelley's because it's short and to the point.  The others basically say the same thing but are long reads.

To be honest, it grieves me how Christians treat gays and lesbians. I am not excusing the sin, mind, but passing laws to refuse any type of service in business (I'm looking at you, Arizona) is what the Pharisees would do. Jesus *never* shunned sinners. In fact, their lives were changed whenever they encountered Him. Why is homosexuality called out?  Why not refuse service to any other sinner?  When it comes down to brass tacks, things like these are just absurd. What would gain a greater reward in Heaven - shunning the sinner as "unclean" like a Pharisee, or inviting them into your shop to show them the love of Jesus?

We are unschooled in the Master's grace, brethren. Woefully unschooled.  It saddens me that the church has become so self-righteous instead of emptying themselves of self.  I'm not embracing the gay lifestyle, however I don't embrace fornication, either.  Or adultery.  Or a hundred other sins.  The cross of Christ is an open invitation.  Even to our gay brothers and sisters.

I personally believe a celibate life is the ideal lifestyle for a committed Christian who's all-in for Christ.  It might not be feasible for some, Paul said it is better to marry than burn with passion.  However, living a celibate life is the ideal (according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 7) because you won't be pulled into worldly worries - you can live a life wholly focused on the Lord God.  When I was young, I used to yell at God to give me someone to love (not proud of that, considering He gave me His Son).  But now that I'm older (and hopefully wiser) I finally understand the wisdom of being celibate.  I am often dragged away from God by the worldly cares of taking care of my family.  While that is indeed a noble pursuit, imagine the spiritual maturity of one who pursues naught but God alone!  That's one of the reasons I long for my eternal life - so that I can be solely focused and dedicated to Him and no other.

~~Becka

I just wanted to add in case people didn't know what this is in reference to, is that this law didn't pass, and the reason that it was put forth in the first place was to protect business owners from having to do something against their religious values (not just with regard to homosexuality). This was because of Christian businesses being targeted by GLAAD to perform services they know that Christians are uncomfortable doing. For instance, a homosexual couple went to a knowingly Christian bakery and asked to have a cake baked for their wedding. The bakery politely declined, offered to bake them other items, and pointed them to other bakers who would be glad to bake their wedding cake. This also happened to a Christian wedding photographer. Same response from the photographer. There was nothing nasty in how they handled not taking on these clients. In fact, they offered to provide a separate service for them, just not a wedding service. Both of these same-sex couples sued. One business had to close over it. A judge ordered that these private businesses must bake these cakes and shoot these photos, regardless of their beliefs. It's much like the law that is forcing businesses to provide the morning after pill. It is precedence being set to make Christians have to set aside their deeply held beliefs, to be party to an act they find objectionable. The lawsuits are set-ups and it is happening all over the country. The bill in Arizona; however, was hastily written, though well-intended, and did give off a Pharisee-like vibe, but was also for other religious groups. It was never going to pass as written. And it didn't. It is only a matter of time before some judge forces Christian churches to perform a same-sex wedding. That is what all these lawsuits are all about. Precedence. Notice that the wording the media used to portray this bill was "The anti-gay...blahblah bill", instead of what it was supposed to be which was a "Protection of Religious Beliefs blahblah bill". 

As far as homosexuality being called out, I am just going to answer for myself. I didn't call it out--it called me out. It has labeled me a bigot because I don't believe it is OK, which sticksandstones and all that rot, but it is affecting my KIDS. My reason that this issue now (as in, it didn't until the last few years) is even on my radar at all is because it being forced on the public, forced in the schools, not as a "treat homosexuals with respect. Pray for them...Love the sinner...", but with an "agree with it, celebrate it, or you're a HATER! Teach it to the kindergartners. Tell the students that this is normal and good, and that anyone that believes otherwise is a bigot, even their parents. No, your child cannot opt-out of this part of our sex-ed curriculum,m even though we are going to give a very graphic presentation of this act." I am tired of the word "homophobe", which isn't even a word. It's a made-up word to make someone ashamed of their beliefs. To LABEL them. You know, I really didn't care about this issue at all--what people do in their bedrooms is between them and God--until it was brought up every. single. day. I turn on a TV show, and there it is. I go to work, and yet ANOTHER seminar. My kids are bombarded with it daily. It's trendy to experiment now, or to act like the opposite gender. This is COOL in the schools. It's rampant in the MIDDLE schools. That is 11-14 year-olds.  They have after school clubs. I don't know of any other sin that is celebrated in this manner or has parades being thrown for it. I certainly don't want to put any of my sins in lights and have people telling me how wonderful it is. I could just retch thinking of that. I would be so very, very ashamed. I think that is why Christians seem particularly concerned with this specific sin. Sin is sin. We totally get that. No one sin is worse than another. I think most Christians would agree with that. I would also argue that most Christians probably didn't really voice any concerns about this particular sin, save some more outspoken legalistic church groups, until this particular sin was forced into our daily lives in a very confrontational manner. I don't know if it is so much Christians looking to condemn homosexuals, as it is now, it surely seems to be the other way around, they seem to want to condemn Christians and our beliefs. I am, of course, talking about the outspoken groups. I suppose we could call them the Pharisees of the same-sex movement.  I also truly believe that if any other sin was being pushed and glorified like this one, say stealing or murder or drunkenness, I think Christians would also be taking a stand against that. 

This is raw for me because this issue wasn't even an issue in our home until it was MADE one by others. This is incredibly tough on school children being brought up in Bible-believing Christians homes, essentially being told that their faith is hateful. Unfortunately, it is only going to get tougher.  



YES!  

...and right now, I'm committing the sin of gluttony because I'm having a Fukushima tuna sub and a piece of chocolate cake with ice cold milk...

  

Yep, Morningstar, you can smell the set-ups a mile away. Groups like GLAAD are purposefully seeking out Christian businesses to target. They can sue all the Christian businesses into oblivion and force every pastor in America to perform same-sex marriages. They can even get the majority of Christians to accept and help them celebrate their lifestyles. As a bonus, they can silence any detractors with threat of legal action or worse.

But it won't change one iota of God's Word.

It won't change the character of our Lord.

And it won't change the definition of sin. Because it is not up to us, it is up to our God. He is the one who offers Grace and Mercy, not us. All the flattery and accolades and "let your freak flag fly" attaboys won't move God. A broken, bruised, and/or searching heart crying out to Him in the dark of the night, weeping for His forgiveness, a heart that wants Him as Lord and Savior... now that moves Him. After all, it is not God's heart that needs changing. It is the one who is holding on to their sin, whatever sin that may be.

Homosexuality is called out because it's convenient. It's a "clear and present danger", and an "obvious" sin.
It's called out because it makes us feel more righteous, by comparison, to do so.
It's called out to distract from the collapse of the family caused by the CHURCH, by placing the attention on the LGBT community.

...more than that, it's called out because we've forgotten what our job here is.




"Such were some of you."
...and how many of us came to Christ by being berated? How many came by being screamed at in public? How many came by being legislated against?
I'd be willing to bet that none of us did.

We came... because we were called. We came because God our Father drew us.
We came because the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all unrighteousness, and we desperately wanted to be clean.

"I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but the sick".

Indeed.

Now, don't get me wrong. Clearly the Church needs to present the gospel in ALL its breadth. Mankind IS sinful (yes, including homosexuality), and we are desperately in need of a Saviour... but perhaps if we spent a little more time presenting the COMPLETE truth of the gospel, rather than just focusing on the parts that make us feel validated in our own self-righteousness, we'd actually see people turning to Christ.

I suppose though, in the end, this is all a moot point. The real problem with the Church isn't that we do or don't speak out against sin. It's that we've lost our first love. Everything else stems from Him, and we neglect our saviour at our peril.

Amen, Benjamin.  Wonderfully said.

Yes, I believe it is a grievous sin that must be dealt with - IN LOVE.

Pity is not an excuse to pardon, but it is an excuse to GIVE GRACE.  And in first loving them, they might come to love Christ through us.  He is our model.  We love because He first loved us.  He died for us while we were yet sinners.  Love and grace are what breaks the chains of bondage to sin.  God's Law tells us we're sinners, but it does not save us.  We come to Christ and THEN He cleans us.  We do not get clean, then come to Christ.

Look, I'm not suggesting we go all "Woodstock" on homosexuals and love the one you're with.  However, I've got to ask myself, how would CHRIST deal with gays and lesbians?  I MUST do the same.  When I spoke of self-righteousness, I meant that it seems the Church has become like the priest and the kinsman on the road to Jericho.  How many of us would be willing to stop our donkey and take the bruised and bloodied homosexual to the inn on our own dime?  GLAAD or no?

The Lord told me something in prayer one day that I've never forgotten.  I was struggling with loving my husband because he'd just revealed he was an agnostic after years of being a Christian.  I still don't know if he's saved or not.  I went through all the 5 stages of grief.  His words stung, his actions plagued me.  I needed to know how to love like Jesus!  The Lord told me three simple words in the face of my pain.  "Give grace anyway."

That is what I believe professing Christians should do.  One does not condone the sin by loving the sinner, but by loving the sinner, they might forsake their sin.  Grace breaks chains, not Law.

It's too late for me, Becka...it's just too late...I already have gone all Woodstock and wake up looking like this.....