This week, Jason Collins, a reserve basketball player for the NBA's Washington Wizards, became the first male athlete of one of the four major U.S. sports to announce publicly that he is gay. Collins, made his announcement in Sports Illustrated by saying "I'm a 34 year old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."Since then, all the major American news outlets, including ESPN, athletes such as Kobe Bryant, and even President Obama and the First Lady, have praised Collins' "courage" and "bravery." He has been hailed as a "pioneer" and has even drawn comparisons to Jackie Robinson, who endured discrimination and abuse for his willingness to be the first black athlete in American sports.
Public figures who have spoken out against Collins' lifestyle choice have been criticized sharply. Chris Broussard, an NBA analyst for ESPN, was asked how he felt about Jason Collins calling himself a gay Christian and he responded "If you're openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says 'you know them by their fruits,' it says that that's a sin. And if you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality -- adultery, fornication, pre-marital sex between heterosexuals -- whatever it may be, I believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ, so I would not characterize that person as a Christian."
The Bible calls homosexuality "sin" from Old Testament to New Testament. "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people-none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
The Jason Collins announcement is more about stopping abuse and discrimination against people than it is about calling the gay lifestyle "right." In the past, gays and lesbians were physically assaulted and even killed because of their lifestyle. They have endured verbal abuse and mockery, been denied housing and jobs, even in professional sports, because of their lifestyle. Gay athletes have been afraid to go public for fear of abuse or losing the chance to compete.
Jesus was very clear that we should love everyone. God loves people. He made every single person. God doesn't classify people they way this world does. He doesn't see "rich" or "poor," "educated" or "ignorant," "Latino" or "White," "gay" or "straight." These distinctions are invented by man to help us characterize differences.
Abuse, physical or verbal, of any kind is detested by God and should have no place in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ! Every human deserves respect because they are created in the image of God. Jesus tells us that we should take care of the ones who are social misfits and outcasts. It should be His followers who protect from harm.
We all know John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God sees two kinds of people: sinners who have put their trust in Jesus to save them and sinners who haven't. He loves both enough to die for. John 3:17 says "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." God did not send Jesus to "hate" on anyone or condemn anyone.
God loves people but does not love and accept all behavior. He is God. He makes the rules. If we don't like the rules, than our fight is with Him, the King. God gives sun and rain to everyone, even if they disobey His rules. His goodness is extended to all. However, Judgement Day is coming where every single person will stand before Him to answer for how they lived. There will be a penalty for disobeying God. God is good but He is not mocked.
Jesus talked about this in John 3:19 - 21 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."
American TV news outlets and newspapers operate to make money. ESPN and ABC News are owned by Disney. Disney is a for-profit corporation. They are in business to make money. That is their goal. Would you expect them to say anything that might characterize Disney as "hating" anyone - black, gay, or elderly? They make money by making sure EVERYONE likes them. In order to make money from everyone, they cannot afford to offend anyone.
Politicians, like President Obama and the First Lady, need public approval - especially the approval of their political supporters - to keep their jobs. Staying in office is their goal. Would you expect them to do anything that might characterize them as "hating" people who gave money, campaigned, and voted for them?
Jesus Christ is in the business of being God. He does not care about public approval. He made "the public," they did not make Him. He's the Creator and the Sustainer of all life. He's the Boss. He did not come to conform to the values of this world. He didn't come to win a popularity contest. He doesn't need anyone to be God. He doesn't need money, fame, or power.
God was God before the universe was created and would be God if the universe was destroyed. Jesus did not come to take "sides", He came to take over. The fact that He has given humanity time to change their mind about their behavior and humbly come to Him is mercy on His part. It should not to be mistaken for weakness.
Jesus came to bring a new Kingdom. He says "You are either for Me or against Me." We can join His Kingdom or be a part of the kingdom of this world. If we are a part of this world, take note, it is scheduled for destruction.
This world's values are constantly changing. They are based on public opinion and human values. Unless, those values are based on the everlasting and unchanging law of God, they will always be in flux.
Do not be discouraged when this world praises people who have a lifestyle choice that is contrary to the Word of God. Of course they do, that's how this world works.
You are not of this world! You are here to announce that a new Kingdom is here - a new system, a new way of doing things - the Kingdom of God. If you are hated because you are loyal to another King, remember, they hated Jesus for the same reason.
Keep being a light. Stay faithful to His Word. Be bold. Keep showing God's goodness and love to everyone. Look for opportunities to help and bless, knowing that it is the KINDNESS of God that touches our hearts and brings us to Him. Then you will be just like your King and your Father in Heaven. This is how He treats everyone, everyday.
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