Recently, the Presbyterian Church USA, for the third time, upheld the position that practicing homosexuals cannot be ordained in the denomination. Why is there so much push for the legitimization of the homosexual lifestyle? Where did the church go wrong? Christians who support the move toward legitimization try to say that if the homosexual union is monogamous, then it is a covenant relationship blessed by God.

     I understand the concern for proper pastoral care for Christians who are suffering from homosexual tendencies. It is true that homosexuality has been treated in conservative circles as somehow a worse sin than any other sin- gossiping, being unwelcoming, etc. That stigmatization of homosexual tendencies as the “big” sin has to be stopped. All have sinned and fell short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). The gossiper is in the same boat as the homosexual. We are all in need of God’s grace and without God’s grace; no one can stand under God’s judgment. That is true even if we think our sins are small.

     Back to the question “Where did things go wrong?” I believe that, among other things, what went wrong is that we have lost the virtue of repentance. Because of the undervaluing of repentance, God’s grace has also been undervalued. Therefore, the good news of God’s grace towards sinful humanity has become irrelevant to most people in the culture.

     In the debate about homosexuality, instead of bringing homosexuals to repentance, churches have found ways to reinterpret clear passages of scripture that condemn homosexual practice. The goal is to legitimize a practice that is clearly condemned in scripture, a practice that is never affirmed. There are some who reason that it is cruel to expect abstinence from a person who has a homosexual orientation. Would it also be cruel to expect abstinence on a single woman who longs so much to have a husband? There are more women than men in the church; therefore, it is more challenging for a single woman to find a husband in the church. Could we just allow polygamy so the single woman who is longing for a husband can have her longings met? Affirming a sinful practice is not the answer to unfulfilled longing if we are to be faithful to God.

     Homosexual practice is not the only sin that some churches fail to speak against. In conservative circles, this is probably not an issue. However, churches must ask themselves, “are you willing to speak against this things and call people who practice this to repentance?” This list is not exhaustive.

1. Working long hours to maintain a certain lifestyle, thereby neglecting emotional responsibilities towards the family
2. Treating children as if they are a nuisance, not respecting their feelings.
3. Disrespecting parents because they are not “Christians”
4. Cheating taxpayers by getting undeserved benefits
5. Slandering our leaders whether they are on the right or the left of the political spectrum. It is wrong for Christians to speak dishonestly and/or destroy the reputation of those whom they perceive to be enemies.

I urge those of you who are Christian leaders to encourage a repentant lifestyle among those who are under your care. Encourage them to make their life line up with God’s expectations. Never make a loophole to assuage guilty consciences. Instead, point them to the cross, where guilty sinners can find peace with a holy God.