Before doing this study please read the 1-minute introduction Christians Should Reject All Hate Crimes. It talks about the way culture has twisted the meaning of love and hate, calling God's commands hateful and calling Christians who believe in God's commands hateful.
1. Many of the "hot topics" in our culture revolve around sexual practices.
When Christians speak up for God's truth, no matter how gently and carefully they do so, they are typically mocked. This passage specifically addresses sexual immorality and God's emphasis on it. Can you list the main points in this passage?
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
2. The following instructions were given to Titus, a young Christian leader.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
2. The following instructions were given to Titus, a young Christian leader.
Do you think most young Christian leaders are eager to teach, encourage, and rebuke in areas that contradict our culture?
Titus 2:11-15: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Titus 2:11-15: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
3. How can we read the warning below and talk about the sins of idolatry, adultery, theft, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling, but say nothing about homosexuality?
Is it loving to stand by and let homosexuals go to Hell without warning them and offering them a way to set themselves free from a sin that is damaging their souls?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
I have been to churches all over the U.S. and in several European countries, and I've never met a Christian who believes in mistreating LGBTQ people. Sometimes cases of mistreatment are shared on social media, but these cases are so rare that they have to be hunted down. It would be much easier to find cases where Christians are called names and mistreated than to find cases where LGBTQ persons are mistreated. Christians must not allow themselves to be influenced by biased news reporting.
Please read the one-minute devotions:
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