We... the followers of Christ... therefore need to be very careful and mindful in how we relate to "sinners". First we need to remember as Paul wrote in Romans 3:22-24: "For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Paul also reminds us in Romans 5:20: "God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant." Jesus showed us in John 8, an example of this grace and mercy that is a life lesson for us today:
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?" This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" She said, "No man, Lord." And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
It is important to notice that although Christ did not condemn her, he also did not condone her behaviour. He admonished her at the end to "go, and sin no more". The pastor at the church I attend has stated on a number of occasions that homosexuals should feel welcome and comfortable enough to attend our church, because we are not here to condemn them, although we don't condone their life choice (of-course, which leads to the debate of whether it is a "choice" or not). Regardless, the point is that we need to be "Christ-like" in our relationships with each other.
This is why I have some issue with Rev. Warren's position on homosexuality and gay marriage, although I do agree that marriage is defined as a union between "a man and a woman". Although Rev. Warren stated that he regretted comparing homosexuality to pedophilia and incest in his video message to his congregation regarding Proposition 8, he did some irrefutable and irreparable damage to both the christian and gay community by making that comparison. But more troubling is the accusation made in this article by AMERICAblog News, that on a Saddleback Church website, it states that unrepentant homosexuals would not be accepted as a members of the church. I did do a search of the website myself but could not find the page with that statement, although it does appear that the link to the it was removed for public viewing. If this is Rev. Warren's current position and the policy of his church, it is certainly does not follow the teachings or example of Christ. Throughout the Gospels it is recorded where Jesus always welcomed and never turned away those who came to fellowship with him and hear his teachings, while he severely criticized the religious establishment for their lack of compassion, judgemental attitude and exclusionary practices, which they based on their erroneous interpretation of the word of God.
And it came to pass as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, "Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?" But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what this meaneth: I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9:10-13.
Blessings!
