"For God so loved the world......" What about homosexuals, fornicators and liars?

Believers, let's not help Satan the Accuser do his work of pointing out sins in order to condemn the sinner and bring such to judgment. God hates sin but loves the sinner. He hates sin because it destroys the world that He so loved. So He sent His own Son to save us from our sins. See Matt. 1:21- 

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Satan accuses or points out sins/law-breaking using the law and tries to bring the sinner under condemnation so that judgment can follow....which is what those who go about bashing those that they see as "core sinners," aka homosexuals, fornicators, etc with Leviticus 20 are doing. No Christ saving from sins in their own equation, but Christ came to save such from their sins too. . These beloved of God are a part of the world that God so loved too. Christ came to save us and them!

True, some flaunt their sins and expect sin to be accepted as being okay. Such are no different from thieves who steal openly and brazenly. But many of these sinners who are part of the world that God so loved are people who are weary and already overburdened with the guilt of their sins. We just assume that everyone loves to wallow in sin except us. We wonder why they won't snap out of it. But it is a prison, like porn addiction and other sins. A small thing for Christ to save one from, but they are being told to save themselves or else God will punish them, as if they had not been trying to stop. They hear people accuse them with the law that they are trying so hard to keep and how they ought to be put to death and they get more depressed as all of their efforts to stop are futile. 

Remember Matthew 11:23 - “And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will be thrown down to the place of death. I did many miracles in you. If these same miracles had happened in Sodom, the people there would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today."

Christ did many, many mighty works in Capernaum - the woman with the issue of blood, the centurion with the sick servant, Jairus' daughter... The people there heard His teaching and saw Him perform many miracles, but many there did not believe in Him. Like many in the church today, they were steeped in trying to obey the Ten Commandments to get right with God, full of righteousness that comes from self-effort at obedience (aka self-righteousness) and eagerly accusing "core sinners" with Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them."

Such conveniently forget verse 9 of the same Leviticus 20:  “Anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death. Such a person is guilty of a capital offense." But no one is clamoring for their wayward kids to be put to death...

Back to Christ's words concerning Sodom in Capernaum. Now we all know what Sodom is famous for. The Sodomites did not get the chance to hear the Good News (the word of Christ) or see His miracles (freely given and all for the undeserving) before they were destroyed with fire and sulphur. Leviticus 20:13 is a part of the law. The law is not of faith. The law is not the Good News. Grace (undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour) is the Good News. 

Christ said "If these same miracles had happened in Sodom, the people there would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today." All of His miracles were for the undeserving, as they still are today. He is unchanging. Unveiling the love of God (expressed through Christ's sacrifice of Himself for us) to the world that He so loved is what will cause sinners to stop sinning, not threats of fire and brimstone. The letter kills but the Spirit gives life.  

But no one is pointing such to Christ, Grace personified, as the One who saves from sins as it is written in Matt. 1:21. Instead, they are given more laws like Leviticus 20:13. Many try so hard to obey but their situation gets worse. Why? Romans 6:14 tells us why:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace." Try to obey the law to be godly and sin will have dominion. No matter how much we shout "obey the law and repent then come to Christ or burn in hell," law-keeping will only make sin have dominion. But Grace swallows up sin.

Christ did not come to discard the law or say that it is okay to be gay or commit sin. Never! The law is God's word and it stands FOREVER. But doing what it says can never make anyone righteous in His sight, "For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are." Romans 3:20.

Christ came to fulfill the law for us. His death magnifies the law. Only the sinless blood of the Lamb of God can fulfill its righteous requirements. Acts 13 says of Him:

"38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses."

Only when we have Him as our Righteousness can we live in triumph over sin and death. See Romans 5:17: "For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ."

Human effort cannot transform the sinner to live right. Christ does it all. Satan uses the law that Christ has fulfilled for us to try to condemn.

Those who hide under the guise of Christianity to point out sins, condemn gays and other sinners (whether for big sins or small sins) and discriminate against them are hearing a gospel that is not the message of the cross. Such think judging and condemning gays and other sinners that “God so loved” (John 3:16) is the right thing to do and that they are "better" because they are not gay. Romans 1–2 shows us that this is not so. Romans 2:1-2 (MSG) tells us that “Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.”

Read Romans 1-2. It specifically touches on the sin of homosexuality, among other sins and how those who condemn these and other sinners are condemned themselves because of the fingers that they point.

The law says not to do so many things but some religious people WHOSE MINDS ARE OVERLY OCCUPIED WITH WHAT "THOSE EVIL SINNERS" DO IN THEIR BEDROOMS single out gay people as the ultimate sinners. The obsession with this particular law is mind-boggling but strategic. Of all the laws that attract the death penalty, this one stands out for them. Many are unaware that this same law that they pride themselves in obeying, despise others for being unable to keep and force-feed others also says (in the same Leviticus 20!) to put to death kids that curse their parents. It says to put rebellious children to death in Deut. 21, but we're yet to see anyone stone their kid to death for bad behaviour.

More importantly, one has to keep ALL of the law in order for all that effort at keeping and enforcing it to mean anything, an impossible feat according to Romans 3:20. You can't pick and choose which ones to do. It's all or the curse (Deut. 28:15.) See James 2:10 too:

“For whosoever shall keep the law yet stumble at one point, he is guilty of all.”

In Christ, we are not under law but under Grace.

Homosexuality is sin that punishable by death according to the law, but being homophobic (condemning sinners and discriminating against them) is an even bigger sin. This is Pride aka thinking that one is superior or more moral or better than others because one is not committing particular sins. The Pharisees in the gospels were full of this kind of pride, always seeing sin everywhere except in themselves and condemning the sinner; never pointing the sinner to Christ who saves from sins but dragging the sinner to the Lord and telling them to expect judgment at His feet. Christ called them "brood of vipers." The adulterous woman that they brought to Jesus deserved to die according to the law, as do homosexuals and all who have sinned. That includes everybody. Their counterparts today also drag the sinner to God and tell them to expect judgment instead of salvation. But Jesus never condemned the woman. He saved her. See Matt. 1:21-

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Christ never condemns. He saves. Imagine what would have happened if He had yelled his disgust at the woman because of her adultery as many self-righteous "holy holy people" do to sinners today:)

Many people think that their sins are not that bad but James 2:10 tells us: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law yet stumble at one point, he is guilty of all." Under law, the holy pastor who only lied about his location is as guilty as the vilest homosexual offender. This is why the Pharisees could not stone the woman. Like the Pharisees, many in the church are adept at pointing out the sins of others, look down on them for their sins and blast screenshots of Leviticus 20 on their SM pages. But if the question "He who is without sin cast the first stone" is asked, like the Pharisees, they can never cast the first stone.

Plus the reason that we are not committing particular sins is because we have not been tempted at that point. Without Christ, a big enough trial will transform a pastor into a homosexual prostitute overnight. Just ask Peter who denied Jesus three times after seeing all His miracles and walking on water.

Christ saves from sins. Let's not join the bandwagon of people pointing out other people's sins and condemning sinners. Let's point all to Christ who saves from sin. Christ did not come for people who think that their being heterosexual gives them an upper-hand in making it to heaven. He came for helpless sinners like Zacchaeus the thieving tax collector, the Samaritan woman at the well who had had five husbands and was shacking up with a man who was not her husband, the unclean leper, the woman caught in adultery, Peter who denied Him three times. He came for the lost, the last and the least; the sinner. Let's point all to Christ who died for all and is able to save from sins.

Pointing out sins and making the sinner feel guilty and unloved by Christ is the work of Satan the Accuser. Telling people to "stop being gay or else Jesus will punish you" and discriminating against them because "they are scum" is the height of self-righteousness. Anyone who is pointing fingers and looking down on these members of the world that God so loved without pointing them to Christ who saves from sins is like the Pharisees who could never cast the first stone. See what the bible says about those who condemn homosexuals and other "core sinners:"

First, bear in mind that when the books of the Bible were written, they were not divided into chapters and verses. For instance, Romans 1 — end was just one loooong letter. Also bear in mind that James 2:10 says-“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”

This means that for those who think that their “straightness," law-keeping and condemning “sinners" count towards their attainment of right-standing with God (those who are under law,) the one who only lied about his location on the phone for a good reason is just as guilty as the lying, thieving, rapist, child-molesting, homosexual serial killer. Break one law and become guilty of all says James 2:10. Only by the obedience of Christ are we made righteous (Romans 5:19.)

Back to Romans 1. Paul spoke of those who “suppress the truth.” But what truth? See verse 16-18:

“16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” 18 But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

This is the truth: Righteousness by faith. Law-keeping cannot make anyone righteous. The letter kills. The law is not of faith.

Verse 21 tells us that these truth suppressors who did not believe the Good News of righteousness by faith knew God: “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks.”

More of Romans 1:“25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”

The chapter mentions a host of other sins, including “every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.” Romans 1 ends thus:

31 “They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” 

End of Romans 1. 

This is where many teachers end their sermon. So everybody leaves church feeling this self-righteous indignation and even superiority towards those that are considered to be “core sinners,” gay people to be specific. But remember the books of the Bible weren't divided into chapters when they were written. There is no break between Romans 1 and Romans 2 which opens thus:

“1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.

2 And we know that God, in His justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

See the MSG version: Romans 2:1-4:

“Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.

3-4 You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because He’s such a nice God, He’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but He’s not soft. In kindness He takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.”

In essence, those who condemn and judge others for their sins and shortcomings condemn themselves too; plus they usually have worse sins up their sleeves!

It takes one to know one. Christ’s words in Matthew 7:1-5 aren't there just to fill up space: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

It takes having a log in one's eye to judge another for having a speck in his eye. We see this play out on TV: Ten Commandments-toting and vehemently anti-sin politicians and pastors who call for discrimination against Christ's lost sheep getting caught in the act and many more wallowing in secret sins…just imagine what would have happened to Zacchaeus the thieving tax collector and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well if Christ had yelled His disgust at them and condemned them for their sins; the woman at the well had had five husbands and the man she was living with was not her husband. Christ did not come to condemn sinners. He came to save sinners. It is Satan that accuses and tries to condemn.

The law takes into account every sinful deed, no matter how noble the intentions behind the deeds are. And all have sinned. Law-keeping cannot save. Galatians 5:4 says “For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.”

Because the law is not of faith and the crux of the gospel is righteousness by faith, begging God for forgiveness after committing secret sins while publicly upholding the law of Moses and crucifying others for their inability to keep it is an effort in futility. The letter kills. No one can live by it. (Romans 3:20)

The reason that many of us aren't committing particular sins is because we have not been tempted beyond what we can bear in those areas. The best amongst us would crumble into dust if a big enough trial came our way and we had to handle it by our own power, just like Peter who denied Jesus three times after being so sure that he couldn't. But thank God for 1 Corinthians 10:13:

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

If it were up to us to deal with our issues, the arm of flesh will fail. But Christ saves from sins. Matthew 1:21 says of Him: “And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The one who does not need salvation from sins does not need Jesus. He saves those who cannot get their sin act together and look to Him for salvation, not those that think that they are “not that bad” or can do some righteous things by the arm of flesh. When our eyes are opened to see how we are saved, even from our sins, it becomes impossible for us to judge or condemn others who are yet to see His salvation.

The gospel is Grace- undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour. Grace never condemns. Grace saves. Grace is a Person: Jesus Christ. Judgmental criticism isn’t of Christ, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:17.

Christ saves from sin. Unveil the love of Christ to the sinner and not accusations and condemnation. Right Believing always produces Right Living.