God is Love

By Ron Thomas

    Not long ago I saw a post on Facebook giving an anecdotal remark on why the Lord’s church is not growing. It was related to the LGBTQ community. Evidently, if the Christians oppose that which this community stands for, the church won’t grow. I suppose, in some respects, this is so …. with that community!
    It was loudly asserted on Facebook that “God is love” and since God loves all, then surely God loves and accepts all as they are. This was the assertion and it was stated confidently. I asked the one who made the post that with such confidence in their assertions and accusations, do they have the same confidence in their knowledge. My remark and inquiry was glossed over/ignored. So I posted again; by this time Facebook took the post down.
    What about the idea that “God is love”? Is it true that God accepts all as they are without demanding change? He will accept this community without change as quickly as He will accept an adulterer without change, as quickly as He will accept a pedophile without change, as quickly as He will accept a liar without change, as quickly as He will accept one guilty of murder without change, and the list goes on. You get the point, I am sure.
    How should Christians respond to accusations, mischaracterizations, lies and things of this sort? Jesus said, “In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NET). One can’t improve on this approach. As a Christian, it’s incumbent upon God’s children to preach the message of Christ by the way one lives. If that passes the test with individuals looking on, the likelihood of someone hearing your message with the words you speak that comes from the Savior is much better than it would be otherwise.

- Ron Thomas preacher for the Sunrush Church of Christ, Chillicothe, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website. http://sunrushchurchofchrist.com/