The Northwest Florida Daily News’ April 19 edition featured a letter from Gwen Break of Santa Rosa Beach, who addressed morality and religious beliefs — particularly human sexuality.
But it was a question she posed that caught my attention.
“I understand [Christians] consider such behavior immoral, but what power does a transgender or gay person have that keeps a Christian from practicing his or her religion?” she said.
I found her question appropriate for many topics that tend to divide persons of the Christian faith and those outside the faith — and even those within the faith.
How, indeed, do others’ actions prevent a person from practicing his or her religion? What power do others have over us?
The only power they have is what we grant them.
Those who anger you control you — whether you, or they, realize it. The only one that should control you is the Lord — with your willingness.
In many ways, a growing number of people seem to be taking the Bible, the greatest love story ever written, and turning it into a book of rules and regulations.
This is the same kind of behavior Jesus tackled with religious authorities during his time on Earth.
Using the scriptures to hit people over the head — to corral them into a specific way of living, to keep them in line through religious law or intimidation — misses the mark on so many levels.
A great deal of attention is placed on the behavior of “other” people.
Fingers are easily pointed.
Judgments are freely passed.
In many ways, this is an unconscious tactic for a person to deflect attention away from their own behavior (or misbehavior) toward someone else.
Jesus asked, “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”
While we may not condone other people’s behavior or lifestyle, the Lord calls us to not wrongly judge them.
We are called to be accepting of everyone — not necessarily their behaviors, but the persons. That is how Jesus treated people. He did not condemn a person, but their actions.
As Ms. Break said in her letter, “I have great respect for true Christians. Such people are inclusive. They are eager to share their beliefs in a positive and loving way. They might not condone a behavior, but they would seek to forgive and convert a sinner, not stone him.
“They live their lives according to Christian principles and are not afraid to be an example for others to follow.”
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Christians should accept everyone