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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE - AND MORE IMPORTANT- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!
Apologists today would love for everyone to embrace homosexuality as the norm, but Church Leaders and Christians must not endorse or condone what God calls an abomination and a sin He abhors. Yes, we are to love those who are in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, and have compassion for them in their plight. However, we must never mistake our bestowing the Love of Jesus on them as a stamp of approval for their choice of living in sexual sin.
I chose the title of "The Feather & The Sword" for several reasons; first, the feather symbolizes the gentle touch or "feather stroke" we give with the Love of Jesus towards others; and The Sword symbolizes the power and strength of the Truth of God. Both the Feather and The Sword points to Jesus Christ--and what I call "the divine rub" - The LOVE & TRUTH together is what brings an individual into the "Totality of Salvation, Deliverance and Eternal Right Standing with Our Heavenly Father. The Love of Jesus is not what gets anyone into heaven, but rather, "The truth that sets the captives free" (John 8:32). In truth, "the divine rub of LOVE and TRUTH" are needed for every sinner today.
Most Christians do well in loving the homosexual who comes into the church today. Where they tend to be less effective is in sharing the Truth that homosexuality is a sin that God calls an abomination. Christians CANNOT only LOVE the gay or lesbian--we also have the responsibility to point them to TRUTH. So many folks in Christendom today are working so hard to get homosexuals into their church-- and indeed, it is a great first step in reaching out to the gay community and their need to be "set free from the bondage of sexual sin". However, commendable as it may be, Christians are loving these precious souls right into hell if they are not leading them to the need for repentance. It is our responsibility to let these individuals know that homosexuality is a sin and that gays and lesbians will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (1 Corinthians 6:11) But many Christians are intimidated or afraid to "offend" their homosexual friends and family members with the TRUTH. What I say to you as a form of both encouragement and warning is:
I WOULD RATHER OFFEND YOU INTO HEAVEN WITH TRUTH THAN LOVE YOU INTO HELL WITH LIES
I have heard it said, and I have said it a few times myself, "Truth hurts, but it sets you free". I was 25 years old and a living as a proud gay man in Northern California when a young, beautiful Latin gal walked up and boldly told me that homosexuals can't get into heaven. As she blew cigarette smoke in my face, she added, "It's true, all gays and lesbians will end up in hell". Needless to say, I was highly offended at this seeming obnoxious little twit, but the Seed of Truth was deposited in my heart that day-- and it began to germinate over time. I chewed on what she had said for many days, but inside, I knew that what she was saying was true. There was something inside of me that knew that beyond what seemed like a hateful thing to hear, it was actually exactly what I needed to hear at the time. Again, I reiterate, YES, I was OFFENDED and yet, I knew deep inside this gal had told me the TRUTH-- the same TRUTH that soon afterwards would "set me free". I gave my life to Jesus Christ--recognized that homosexual is a sin and I repented and my life has NEVER been the same. (This was almost 29 years ago).
As an interesting side note, I ended up marrying this same bold, feisty, little Latin beauty and together, she and I became Youth Leaders (and I returned back to God's Original Blueprint for my life-- His Plans and purpose for my life has continued for almost 29 years now) GLORY TO GOD!
This is why I have written "The Feather & The Sword". Church Leaders and Christians SHOULD NEVER COMPROMISE or water-down THE TRUTH THAT SETS THE CAPTIVES FREE! I praise God that someone had the courage to tell me the truth 29 years ago-- if folks only "Loved me with The Love of Jesus" but never showed me my need for repentance, I would not be the Servant of God I am today (and more important, I would not be going to heaven when I pass from this world into eternity).
I encourage you to get a copy of my new book "The Feather & The Sword" through Amazon.com (Book and Kindle). I am feverishly striving towards achieving an publishing date of December 31, 2017. I appreciate all of your prayers folks!
May God richly bless you this holiday season. Be blessed and be a blessing to someone else today in Jesus' name. Amen!
Love, Prayers, and Blessings,
Jay
