The Question?
Before we get to the question of the day, let us reflect for a moment on what are sin, repentance and forgiveness. According to Jesus, not believing in him is sin (John 16:8). In James 4:17 we learn that “it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Sin of omission versus sin of commission). Paul said, “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3: 23). In our confirmation class, the way we define sin is by presenting the word like this: sIn: the upper case “I” represents putting self before God. Another way to define sin is actions separating us from God. How do you define sin? Who among us has not sinned?
Moving forward, we can look at the concept of repentance. To confess and be sorry, to have a change in heart and behavior, or to make a turn from sin to God are all ways to describe repentance. Isaiah (57:15) tells us that God refreshes the humble and gives new courage to those with repentant hearts. “I will bless those that have humble and contrite hearts” (Isaiah 66:2). Jesus told us to turn from our sins and turn to God. He said, “I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18: 3). Jesus’ brother James said, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Do you think we should all repent from our sins?
Forgiveness is a very powerful action. If you do not think so just wait until you need forgiveness and have it withheld. How do we obtain forgiveness from God? First should we first admit we have sinned? If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess (repent) our sins to him, he who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong (1 John 1:8-9). Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. “Ask, using my name, and you will receive”, said Jesus (John 16:24). Paul said, “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins” (Romans 3: 22). Paul also explained that the Holy Spirit gives Christians new life. He said, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We have all sinned. Sins are those actions that separate us from God. When we repent (turn away from sin) and confess our sins to God, He who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from our sin.
Taking a further look at sin, repentances and forgiveness before we move on, we know that Jesus clearly said, “But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5: 32). “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) is one of the Ten Commandments from God to Moses on Mount Sinai. In this example, we can conclude that most divorces and all adultery are sinful actions against God’s standards. Can we obtain forgiveness for these sins? Yes, as the Bible (God’s word) says if we confess (repent) our sins and ask for forgiveness, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us of our sin. God does not say that if we advocate divorce and continually live a life of adultery and sexual permissiveness with no remorse, we will be forgiven. This would not be repenting our sin. But the good news is through Jesus Christ our savior, when we turn from our sins and ask for forgiveness, we will be cleansed. God’s grace is all we need.
Another of God’s commandments is “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20: 13). Obviously murder is a sin, an awful action that separates us from God. Can anyone be forgiven for murder of another? The Prophet Moses, descendent of Abraham killed an Egyptian. Yet Moses was chosen by God to be one of his prophets and lead the Israelites. Apostle Paul (formerly Saul) persecuted and killed many Christians. He was present at the stoning death of Stephen, one of first deacons of the Church chosen by the apostles, and the first of the Christian martyrs. Yet Paul was chosen by God to become his apostle. Paul wrote a major portion of the New Testament while teaching and celebrating Christianity throughout the land. How can this be? How could God choose murderers to be his witnesses? It is simple. They turned from sin, confessed, and God forgave! If Moses and Paul did not stop murdering, did not confess their sins, and did not ask for forgiveness, would they have been God’s chosen leaders? When God chooses to use us, it often comes at a time when we least expect it and when we feel least qualified. That makes us very effective. That is the infinite wisdom of God.
This brings us to an important question. Should we as a Church allow individuals who are homosexual to be ordained as ministers and become our Church leaders? Did you feel any immediate emotion when you read this question? What was it? Why?
Scripture forbids homosexuality as it does with adultery, murder, and all other sins. Does the Bible define categories of sins, one being greater than the other? Moses wrote to the Israelites, “do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin” (Leviticus 18: 22). Paul, in his letter to the Roman church, condemned homosexuality (Romans 1: 26). In Paul’s day, homosexuality was a widespread pagan practice; today many consider it an acceptable practice. He said, “Women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. The men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned for lust for each other.”
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “don’t you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers – none of these will have shared in the Kingdom of God” (1Corinthians 6: 9-10). Paul tells us why God gave Moses the Ten Commandments: “These laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching” (1 Timothy 1:10).
Based on scripture, homosexuality is a sin. However, does the scripture say that homosexuality is the ultimate sin, or a greater sin than others? Who among us has not sinned? Christ said stop judging others. “How can you think of saying, ‘let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your eye?” (Matthew 7: 4).
Now that brings us back to the question, should we as a church allow individuals who are homosexual to be ordained as ministers and become leaders of our Church? Maybe the question would be better worded as, “Should we allow sinners to be ordained as ministers of our Church?” Either way, the answer is in scripture. We are all sinners and not worthy of God’s grace. Through Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, we have been saved by grace through faith. In faith, we believe in Jesus Christ as the only Son of God, and in his teachings as God. We are therefore taught by God to be Christians and to try to live a Christ like life. Unfortunately, we fall short every day of being right with God. As I said before, through Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and saved. How do we obtain this forgiveness? Scripture says through repentance, confession and asking for forgiveness; it is that simple. How does this all fit together as it relates to the question about ordaining homosexuals?
It is clear that when we sin and repent asking for forgiveness then we will be forgiven and renewed by God. On the other hand, if we do not acknowledge our sin, turn from our sin, confessing our sin, and asking for forgiveness then the truth is not in us, we will not be forgiven, and the evil will continue, just as Satan would like it. Would God have chosen Moses or Paul, blessing them and teaching them how to be his ambassadors on earth if they continued killing and persecuting others with no remorse? When God exposed himself to Moses, and then some 1500 years later to Saul (later Paul), they turned from their sinful ways, asked for forgiveness, and God forgave them and began using them as his chosen leaders. Should we as a Church do the same in choosing our leaders?
God has given us a way through Jesus Christ to be forgiven and change our ways to be more righteous with him. If we do what we know is wrong, as told to us by God through his word in the scriptures, and do not repent, ask for forgiveness, and change direction, then we are committing ourselves to a life of sIn and choose to reject God and his grace. Therefore, we give up being chosen even after God has showed us the way. If we choose to live in sin and do not try to change our ways, repent, and request forgiveness, then we should not expect to be chosen as leaders within God’s church.
In summary, one can say that there are two different types of sinners: those who repent and try to do better and those who do not. In choosing our church leadership this should be a major consideration. Surely we would not want our church leaders to be knowingly, openly, and continually sinning with no repentance.
Therefore we the church should choose the repenting sinner as our leaders.
Gary D. Taber
February 6, 2004
