Daily Bread

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

It makes me wonder — with a sense of shock — that any religious person could kill someone and think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. It seems impossible doesn't it? Yet, even today, some Christians act in ways that they are convinced are Godly, but leave me with my mouth agape in horror and my heart crushed!

Twice over the past five years, families have come to me and told me they are leaving the church I lead because I am inclusive of members of the LGBTQ community, yet, the truth is they are leaving because they are not inclusive. And it hurts to think that people I have loved and given my life to serving can simply throw aside others because of their theology. I want to scream, "How is this Christlike?" I understand that we are all on a journey and they have to be true to our own convictions however, how can two sets of Christians have such opposing views? How do we know who is right?

I know I go on about this but the litmus test is love. Sure, justice and judgment have their place but, as we read in the book of James, "love trumps judgment." If we are ever in doubt about whether something is right or wrong, or have an ethical dilemma, we must ask ourselves, which option is more loving, or which decision moves us more towards love? For example, is it more or less loving to welcome and accept those who are different from us, those who are marginalised by society, and those who have a different opinions to ourselves?

I have to admit that it is not easy living in a community (Bermuda) where same sex or gender marriage is not permitted, and it is also not easy being part of a church (Anglican) that does also not permit same sex or gender marriage. If, for example, a gay or lesbian person wishes to be a minister in the Anglican church here, they must not be married and they must take a vow of celibacy.

I apologise. I'm soap-boxing. The point is that being a Christian can sometimes be very difficult, and often that difficulty comes from others who claim to be religious or followers of God. What must we do? Love them. Yes, we might feel like ditching them, taking the moral high ground, or even hurting them, but our Lord and Saviour was clear. We must love them and, in every ethical dilemma or moral decision, do our best to take the path of love.

Holy God
When I am hurt and disappointed
because others act without love
or reject me for who I am,
help me to keep on loving.
Help me to be the one who
works at the relationship
and never gives up
being like you, Jesus.