Daily Devotions
Homosexuality & Christianity (part 3 of 3)
Title: Homosexuality & Christianity (part 3 of 3)
By Ben Hall
Reading for October 27: Luke 11-12
Weekly reading for October 21-27: Hebrews 10-13
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...
Hebrews 12:22
In this devotion, Ben puts the homosexual debate in perspective by clarifying what the real issue is for us (and is not) as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
#3. Homosexuality is not a political issue for Disciples of Christ.
In our country, many Christians are very concerned with the stance that leaders of our government (and our society at large which they represent) are taking in regards to homosexuality. This is really part of a bigger question of: How politically active should Christians be in promoting/maintaining Christ-centered values on a national level concerning issues of Christian morality that society has rejected/is rejecting?
Jesus lived under one of the most immoral, corrupt, ungodly socio-political regimes ever known, yet we find next to nothing in His teachings or activities that address His culture at large, social movements, ideologies of the day or political institutions and their policies. Well, I suppose that isn't entirely accurate. He did tell people to "give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" (Luke 20:25), and He also told His disciples that governments would oppose them, their values and their teaching but that they shouldn't worry about it (Matthew 10:16-20). He never told them to promote or fight against a particular party, ideology or policy of the governments of men.
Early Disciples followed Jesus' teaching as they often interacted with political officials (Acts 4-5; 7; 10:34-43; 12; 13:4-12; 18:12-17; 19:28-41; 22-26). Even with all these opportunities to speak out concerning moral issues from a socio-political perspective, the disciples were actually known for not speaking out against the ideology and practices of society at large (Acts 19:37). Although their teaching did shock the world (Acts 17:6), they were not "activists" in the affairs of men. The only "activism" they engaged in was to pray (1 Timothy 2:2), obey (1 Peter 2:13) and pay (Luke 20:25).
No matter who is in the White House, this nation has not, does not and will not follow the true & living God because this country, just like every nation of all time, is full of lost souls. This election year we should carefully consider the real issues for the souls around us and do our part in following the Lord who came to save them (Luke 19:10).
Father, give us wisdom that our response to our culture on this delicate issue might be both biblical and seasoned with salt.
