God, Marriage, Country

John Calvin a reformer in his own right once said, "Whatever a person may be like, we must still love them because we love God."

Recently, I've been wondering to myself if the Christians of today model the Pharisees of old rather than the Early Church. The reason I ask myself this is because of how we as Christians exemplify love to others. We have a select group of people that we model our love to, and we have conditions for our love, but Christ said to love like He loved. This is by far my most controversial post yet. I try to stay away from topics like this, but I've been experiencing a lot of personal growth, and I feel that it is my duty to post this.

First and foremost, let me begin by stating that my personal view of marriage is that it is between a man and a woman. Based on my personal beliefs, opinions, and my spiritual convictions, I cannot support gay marriage, but I ask that you read on.

About a year ago, I was doing my practical training. (Can you believe it? This blog is almost a year old!) Towards the latter end of my stay in New York, I attended a Junior Senior Conference in New Jersey. During the rec time of the conference, two of my friends and I decided to go to one of their houses. On the drive, we engaged in some conversation regarding controversial/political debate. We argued the topic of gay marriage. At that time, I was strictly against gay marriage. He told me something that really resonated with me.

Then, this past Spring semester, I took three counseling classes for my major. One of which I had a homosexual instructor whom I had great respect for, and he played a huge role in getting me to think about the LGBT community. Then, I made a bunch of friends in those classes that were also homosexual, but they were some awesome friends. They had a deep personal desire to counsel others, and they had grown so much from the pain they had suffered, and they wished to use that to help others. The instructor that I had was in seminary before he dropped out, and then he came out, and now he is a licensed counselor. One of the things he said in class really hit close to home for me. I am paraphrasing what he said, despite your personal viewpoints, as counselors model your life like Jesus Christ who loved and sat with the sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes. Bam. When I heard that, I sat back in my chair, and I felt my whole head just twirl, because I began to realize that as a Christian believer, I was not loving the way Christ did.

In today's time and age, there are quite a few people that are homosexual. As Christians, we have taken it upon ourselves to seemingly wage a war against homosexuals. Christians condemn them and make it seem like Christians are not sinners, or that being gay is a worse sin than any other sin. Let me be the first to tell you if you have not heard this yet. In God's eyes, EVERY sin is equal. It doesn't matter if you killed a person, or if you shoplifted. It doesn't matter if you lusted after a married woman and committed adultery with her in your heart or if you were a rapist. These are ALL sins, and God hates all of them. He doesn't say that He will accept some of these sins because they are less severe than others. The only reason that you and I are accepted in His sight is because His sinless Son took our place of punishment. Then, how is it that Christians condemn those that identify as homosexuals?

Does this mean that we should allow homosexuals to get married? Well, let's take a look at some hard facts.

Many people profess that this is a "Christian" nation, so that is why gay marriage should not be allowed. Actually, this country is no longer a Christian nation. We may have been founded on Christian principles, but let me be honest with you, I do not think this is a Christian nation any longer. This was what my friend pointed out to me in our car ride that resonated with me. First of all, this nation is so diverse, and there are people with so many various viewpoints that our government cannot run simply on religion alone. Second of all, so many people do so many things that are wrong, so then where is the Christ-likeness that we profess to have? No, I don't believe this country is a Christian country. I believe this is a secular nation founded on Christian morals and principles, and we have long forgotten them.

Another argument that is used is the Bible. Now, that is a great place to look for an argument. Yes, the Bible does speak against homosexuality, but to apply it in a nation that is largely secular cannot happen. We don't look to the Bible to solve the economical problems, nor do we look to the Bible on how to take care of the environment. Believe it or not, these are all in the Bible, but we don't look to the Bible for that, so then how can you look to the Bible for this one topic. You are doing God a great injustice, and you're lying to yourself.

Lastly, many people say that the sanctity of marriage is between a man and a woman which is what the Bible states, and which is what I agree with. BUT, take a look at how people view marriage today. Divorce is at an all-time high. One in two marriages end in divorce. That's 50%! Is that preserving the sanctity of marriage? How about when Hollywood celebrities jump in and out of marriage like it's a fad? Is that preserving the sanctity of marriage. I'm sorry, but heterosexual couples have defiled the sanctity of marriage, so to say that the homosexual community is ruining the sanctity of marriage is a lie, because it's already been ruined by heterosexuals. Now, to those that are living a long, happy, married life without divorce, I wish you all the best, and way to work hard in preserving the sanctity of marriage in your lives. I only pray that your children see, learn, and grow in that way.

Outside of the Bible, is there a legitimate reason that gay marriage should not be allowed? It would seem not. Whether they be Democrats or Republicans, both parties exploit this topic of gay marriage for their own selfish gains. Democrats are for it, so as to gain the LGBT community's votes, not because they genuinely care for them. Republicans are against it, and they use the Bible as a perverse way to get their way and the votes of the Christian community. I believe the politicians are what drove a wedge in between these two communities.

As I mentioned before, based on my personal convictions, and my desire to live my life according to the Bible, I cannot support gay marriage, but I'm just one man. Statistics show that the public opinion about gay marriage has changed drastically. Now, there are a lot more people that support it, gay or straight. If there was a way to appease both groups, then that would be ideal. Perhaps, allow them to enter into a civil union. I don't know, but this is how I see it. If the nation's people are more and more for it, then there is no choice. Eventually, I believe that gays will be allowed to marry all over the nation. In any case, don't pervert the Bible and simply use it to attack the homosexual community.

When you take a look at Christ's ministry, what did He do while He officially conducted His ministry for approximately three to three and a half years? He ate with sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes. He went into the house of Zacchaeus. He allowed a prostitute to pour perfume on His legs and wipe it with her hair. He forgave the thief on the cross. He hung out with twelve guys that had their own issues. Yet, He still loved them. Does that mean He changed His viewpoints? Not at all! Take a look at Matthew 5, and read how He provides even more detail to the Ten Commandments. That was Christ's ministry. That is how we are supposed to be. We should be loving everyone with Christ's love, while keeping our principles.

To summarize, don't condemn or hate those that identify as homosexual. Love them! They are humans too! If we can come to a middle ground on the topic of gay marriage, then hooray! If we can't, then think to yourselves. In a country where we don't even allow prayer in schools, should we use the Bible as a measuring rod for this topic alone? If we can't use the Bible as a way to govern this country for everything, then we shouldn't use it at all. Find a common middle ground. Otherwise, enable them to marry. Why not? It'll happen eventually. Make it sooner than later, and stop wasting all this time on arguing.

On a personal note, to all that reads this, please know that I love you as Christ loves me and expects me to love others. It doesn't matter to me what sins you have, because I have my fair share. The only thing is, Christ is asking you to repent and turn to Him. Let Him come into your heart. He is the only One that can satisfy the missing piece in your heart, the hurt, and whatever else that is going on in your life.

I leave you with one instance of Christ's ministry that many seemingly overlook. When I was young, for some really weird reason or another, this passage stood out to me more than most of the common ones. It's John 8:1-11. In this passage, you see the Pharisees throwing a woman in front of Jesus and telling Him that she is an adulteress, and that based on the laws of Moses, she should be stoned to death. (Interesting on how the man she slept with isn't being held accountable, isn't it?) Christ does something that I never expected, and I don't think the Pharisees expected. I think that the reason this passage stuck out to me as a child was because of what Jesus did. He knelt down, and He began writing on the ground with His finger. The Pharisees were annoyed, and they kept badgering him on what to do, so He tells them, "If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (Bam! They just got Jesused.) Upon this remark, one by one the Pharisees all left Jesus with the adulteress. What Christ says to her is the verse I will leave you with below. Jesus did not condemn her. He is without sin, yet He didn't cast a single stone! Then, how much more should we who are sinful not be casting stones at those around us? Christ didn't condemn her. He loved her. He forgave her. I encourage you all to go out there and love on everyone. Accept each and everyone, because we all have our flaws. If we were truly able to accept each other despite our flaws, then the problems that we come across would have an easy solution. Model Christ's love to the lease of these.

"Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'"

-John 8:10-11 (NIV 1984)

"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father;  take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" 

-Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV 1984) 

Pastor and Pastoral Care in the Context of the New Generation Marthomites

Below, you will find my article which I submitted for the Mar Thoma Messenger, a couple of weeks back. Thirumeni asked for an article, and so I typed this up. Anyways, this is a vital topic in the Mar Thoma community today. As folks in the new generation, ask yourselves how you view your Ministers. Then, strive to work with any Achen to bring spiritual growth in the church.

In the Mar Thoma Church, we are greatly blessed with ministers that are handpicked by God. These are individuals that strive to be used as an instrument by God to touch the hearts of many, so that the many may experience Christ’s unfailing love and turn to Him. Within the new generation, many of us believe that these Achens probably do not understand us or cannot relate with us. We seemingly put them on a pedestal, but in reality, they are like us. They have gone through struggles, just like us. They have grown, just like us. They have dealt with temptation, just like us. Where their ministry and their life are right now is because that is where God has guided them to be a transformative mark upon the lives that they come across. That is why I believe that our Achens care so much. That is why every time an Achen leaves our church after spending approximately three years with us, we cannot help but shed a tear or wish they never had to leave. I often think of Christ’s ministry when an Achen is being transferred. Christ spent approximately three and a half years ministering here. After those three and a half years, were all the blind granted vision? Were all the deaf able to hear? Did all the dead rise up? No, but Christ led such an impactful ministry that changed the lives of His Apostles, and they in turn continued that ministry. Now, more than two thousand years later, the Gospel is still being spread. Similarly, an Achen’s ministry cannot simply flourish in one area, but rather be given an opportunity to be experienced elsewhere. That way, they can continue to spread the Gospel to every place that they are sent. Just as the Israelites were led by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, so too are these ministers led until they can enter the Promised Land, which is Heaven.

As Achens come to a church, some have high aspirations for the new generation. They will fully support them and push them for great goals. Then, there are some Achens that come unsure of how to interact with the upcoming generation, but are too comfortable with the parents and elders of the church. Before their ministry finishes though, every Achen will have a deep fire for the youths, and they push us to great heights. They strive to get us involved, so that we can bring fresh ideas to the table. They realize that we are not simply the future of the church, but rather, the present. They pray for us unceasingly, so that we may take the reins of what our forefathers have built thus far. Ministry is not simply something that an Achen takes on, but rather, it is something that we as the people of God work together to achieve. As youths, we are not called to be passive but to be proactive under the direction of our Achens, thereby making a transformation in our lives, families, church, and community for the glory of God.

Hope you liked what you read. I encourage everyone to step up in any and every available facet with the resources given to you to bring a change within the church. We as parishioners are called to work with our ministers to bring the expansion of the Kingdom of God. We aren't called to keep Christ confined within the walls of the church, but the church is meant to go out into the world. I will leave you with a verse.

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

-Mark 10:45  (ESV)