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Article Archive |
2008
TRUTH Versus GRACE?
by Jim Morris
George moved from the Big City to a small town in rural Missouri. George was gay. He was HIV positive and his life on earth was on an unrelenting countdown. For the first time in his life he cried out for answers from God.
First, George went to the Truth Church hoping to find an answer. The sudden chill he felt upon opening the door of the small church penetrated down to his bones. He found only sullen folk with plastic smiles. One man with shiny eyes approached him with a long checklist. The man asked suspiciously, “Where are you from?” George answered honestly, “The Big City.” The man continued down the list about where George stood on various issues. George finally said, “I'm gay. I've been diagnosed with HIV. I know I'm going to die and I want to get right with God.” At that sudden revelation, the man's eyes widened and he stepped backward. In between pieces of scripture, the man blurted out, “Homosexuality is a sin. You deserve to die! You're going to hell!” Truth without grace breeds legalism, hate and death.
Next, George went to the Grace Church hoping to find acceptance. The church was so large that he didn't know which door to enter. Overflowing with laughing, friendly people, George felt a new surge of hope. Several people spotted him and threw their arms around him in a heartfelt welcome. Before long, however, George spilled out his heart. He told them, “I'm gay. I've been diagnosed with HIV. I know I'm going to die and I want to get right with God.” They said in turn, “It doesn't matter. God is a God of Love.” Confused, George asked, “Doesn't God say homosexuality is a sin?” They smugly replied, “Grace covers all sin. Let me introduce you to our Gay Bible Study Group. You don't need to change at all!” Grace without truth breeds lies, sin and death.
Finally, George went to Christ's Church hoping to find Jesus. Upon meeting the first member, he told his story. Before long, many members gathered around the visitor in sympathy. Finally, an elder spoke, “George, you did the right thing coming here. It is not too late to make your life right with God if you are willing to leave your life of sin. We will help you in every way we can. We have learned that we must lean on each other, the truth and the grace of God to make it through this life.” GRACE combined with TRUTH breeds life everlasting!
We must show grace and truth to be like Jesus. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH” (John 1:1-2, 14).
03-12-08
# 12
