Thursday, June 26, 2008

The motivation behind our stances


There has been a lot of talk in the church about the homosexuality. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church is happening this week, in which the issue of ordination of practicing homosexuals as officers and ministers in the church is on the table.

Without getting too much into it right now, as I have devoted other blogs to the issue, I was considering what it is that motivates most people's stance on the issue. I came to the conclusion that the most common motivations would be:

a - concern for the individual (how that person's behavior will affect that person)

b - concern for self (how that person's behavior will affect me)

c - concern for the church (how that person's behavior will affect the church)

While there are other variations, I think that it essentially boils down to those three, or perhaps some sort of combination of them.

All three of these motivations are important, and all have sound reasoning, but it seems that Jesus is most clearly calling us to do (a). The other two are justifiable, but ultimately, Jesus is concerned with the individual. The condition of the individual affects the condition of the whole, so in that sense, focus on (a), you will affect (c) as well. The condition of the whole will likewise affect the condition of the individual, so in that sense (c) will affect (b).

Still (a) should be the focus. If we are instead motivated by things like, "I don't want the church to change," or "I don't agree," we tend to be thinking more self-centered than selfless. Jesus wants us to serve, to be selfless.

That doesn't mean blindly accepting everything about everyone. But it does mean putting the needs of someone else over our own wants and preferences. Sometimes the most selfless thing that you can do for someone is to say "no." Sometimes it is to say "yes."

This is not a partisan view on this issue, but it is a necessary view if we are to truly approach the issue as Christians, as followers of Christ.

1 comment:

  1. You are so wise. Homosexuality is a specific issue...but its worth noting that your assessment is applicable to any behavior that is harmful to someone...physically, mentally, or eternally. The latter of which is of greatest concern. Motivation comes into play when you tread the line between Love as Jesus meant it and usurping God's role ultimately as our judge. I can't imagine He would be real happy with us if we were to try and take his job. Telling someone "NO" out of Love is sometimes necessary, especially when that someone knowingly or blindly seeks validation for their behavior as something other than Sin.

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