Hands and Feet

The recent ruling in California to overturn Proposition 8 has had me thinking about hands and feet. While that thought process may seem out of the ordinary, it makes sense to me. For a long time, I've listened to people talk about homosexuality - on both sides of the debate - in the church. I wonder, at times, why it is such a hot issue for folks. Is it because they struggle with their own sexuality? Do they want full inclusion for power's sake? Really, homosexuality doesn't define the church - it is the hands and feet of Christ who define the church.

I think homosexuality is a complex discussion. For those who cite the six Scripture passages related to homosexuality, I very much understand where they are coming from - the Bible tells us that homosexuality is a sin. So is eating shellfish - so I wonder if those persons can pull out the log from their own eye when they are sitting at Red Lobster enjoying shrimp scampi and plotting their next anti-homosexual picketing event. Yes, Scripture says homosexuality is wrong - but there is a list of 613 Old Testament laws the few of us follow. If we're going to follow the Bible, then let's follow all of it - not just the passages that support our position.

But wait - I'm not a Bible follower - I'm a Jesus follower. While I preach from the Bible every week, I think it's more important to preach Jesus. After all, Jesus is the founder of the church. He is my Lord and Savior, and because I follow Jesus, I need to be the hands and feet of Christ.

If I am to be the hands and feet of Christ, then whom should I love? If I looked at those that Jesus showed love towards, I should love homosexuals and heterosexuals. I should love those who speak with hatred, and those who engage in sinful acts. I think of a couple of lesbians I have been friends with for a number of years - married in California prior to Proposition 8 - who are daily being the hands and feet of Christ. They act with compassion, mercy, and conviction; countless other gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons do so.

So, what should one do with this "moral dilemma?" Sweep it under the rug? Let it divide us? Allow it to dictate the direction of the church's mission and ministry, rather than the teachings of Jesus? Folks, we've got bigger fish to fry. The world needs us to be the hands and feet of Christ; when we do anything less, we make a mockery of the Gospel, and in the words of Bonhoeffer, offer cheap grace.