I have been troubled to understand whether Jesus would have rejected homosexuals while he was physically on earth.
This is in view of the current homophobia against homosexuals especially in Africa and Malawi inclusive.
Homosexuality debate has been very controversial and complex mostly in African countries being argued it is un-African and a sin. But if we begin from the premise that God created everyone then we cannot reject those who are different from us.
Malawi, as a country that is proud of being religious, attacks on homosexuals is then unacceptable. All people were created by God including sinners, including satan himself.
Persons who are homosexuals are also children of God and must be, loved and supported. For God talks about love, and tolerance. You cannot say you love God whom you don’t see yet you hate your neighbor whom you see.
You cannot believe in God and yet reject homosexuals. Jesus taught us values of how we should treat others regardless our differences.
Jesus was a human rights defender and always protected the vulnerable groups. Jesus who himself was God reminded us of love, support and co-existence of those who need our help and are difference from us. Jesus interacted and eat with the rejects and corrupt such as Zacchaeus who was the Chief tax -collector. (Luke 19:1-10).
Jesus gave us clear instructions not to be judgmental, or spiritually arrogant. Christians are not to judge people outside the Christin faith. We are to leave that to God.
God is the creator, ruler and judge of all people including Homosexuals. Jesus told His followers not to judge others. He said if we do judge others we will be judged ourselves.
“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For with judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Mathew 7:1-2).
In Luke, Jesus said the same thing, but also warned against condemning others. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.” (Luke 6:37).
Therefore, as a Godly country we should avoid to behave like Pharisees and scribes who pointed at the weaknesses of others and looked at themselves as clean. Some Jesus’ believers have been very selective in looking at and condemning sin.
Jesus’ response to those who would separate themselves from others was simple, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
The religious leaders of the day the Pharisees and Scribes saw sinners as a social problem that needed to be fixed. But Jesus saw them as people created in His image who needed to be liberated. He wasn’t as concerned that their badness would rub off on him as he worried about his goodness influencing them.
That is the way Jesus would treat Homosexuals in this present age. The question we might ask is if religious grouping especially the Body of Christ is worried about homosexuality then it shows failure to spread the gospel of love and repentance to those we call sinners.
The Body of Christ must go out there and win souls to bring sinners into the Kingdom of God. If Jesus was physically on earth today would He have organized a march against the homosexuals?
Or he would reach out to them for their salvation as he did with the corrupt tax collectors and the woman caught in adultery? Jesus knows how it feels to be a social outcast. You would think the religious leaders would have been His best friends, but they hated him.
They sought to kill him and publicly shame him any chance they had. Eventually, the religious elite joined forces with local politicians and murdered Jesus in front of a cheering crowd.
Unfortunately, it is the same treatment we have on homosexuals. Religious leaders, people and institutions should preach love, tolerance and co-existence as that is who God is, God is love and not homophobic as the present religious leaders and institutions are.
It is important also to note that sexual immorality, including same-sex activity, is listed alongside other sins in Scripture, indicating that God does not rank one sin as worse than another. While the consequences of some sins are greater than others, Scripture often simply lists sins side by side.
For example, Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts- murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, corrupt mind, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19–20). Lastly but not least, the Bible teaches that followers of Jesus are to practice sexual purity, and that includes abstaining from same-sex activity.
In addition, unbelievers who practice homosexuality stand in need of our love and salvation just like any other unbeliever and not rejection, condemnation or marching against them.
Christians are called to pray for those who do not know Christ, to serve others in love, and to share the message of Jesus with all people, including those involved in homosexuality.
Jesus Christ believers should not run away from their responsibility of spreading the gospel and win souls. Pushing for legalism, condemnation and being judgmental against homosexuals is ungodly. God is Love.
