So here is what I want to say. Often times when an issue comes up in the media many Christians, most of whom are well-meaning, write telling us to remain silent and to focus on other things. But, those other things are often the issues which the world already agrees with us on, like slave trafficking. We ought to be outraged at all sin that dishonors God, but we need to speak up about the issues that are at the forefront—that are in the media. Martin Luther said it this way, “If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity. Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point.” John Calvin said, “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” Although, and unfortunately, some Christians as of late have spoken in ways that are not pleasing to the Lord, we should not criticize those who have spoken out because of a deep desire to see God glorified and people have life abundantly. Do not ask me to remain silent. For like the prophet Jeremiah, “If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot,” (Jer. 20:9).
The problem we are facing today is best summarized by Oswald Chambers, who died almost 100 years ago in 1917, “The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant, non-confrontational manner. But our only priority must be to present Jesus Christ crucified— to lift Him up all the time (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). Every belief that is not firmly rooted in the Cross of Christ will lead people astray.” The first problem is that most of us, are like me, too afraid to speak out on the controversial issues for fear of disturbing the peace, being called names, or worse, losing relationships with those we care most about. Jesus warned us it would be like this. He said, “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division,” (Luke 12:51/Matt. 10:34). In another place Jesus said, “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household,” (Matt 10:35-36). We will persecuted for his name’s sake (Matt. 10:22) and “And whoever does not take his cross and follow [Him] is not worthy of [Him],” (Matt 10:38). I must decide, you must to decide, to acknowledge Him before men or to deny Him before men (Matt 10:32). Either way there are consequences, either He will also will acknowledge us before His Father who is in heaven or He will deny us before His Father who is in heaven (Matt 10:32-33).
The second problem is that most of the time we do not preach the gospel. It does no good to say homosexuality is a sin without telling all of those who face this struggle what the remedy is. The remedy is accepting that Christ died to save sinners who are lost. He died to save homosexauls, drunkards, and every other type of sinner. We must call sin sin, but we must also give hope. Hope is found in the death and resurrection of the Son of God who died to give us life more abundant. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are the fruits that you have to offer those who are lost. Likewise, these are the fruits that are available to all who should choose to believe.
I have decided, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith,’” ( Rom. 1:16-17). Let us all believe that, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” (Heb. 4:12). Let us believe that life is given according to his word (Psalm 119:25;107). Finally in the words of Paul, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love,” (1 Cor. 16:13-14).