Equality ???

This is a symbol for me that represents my entire life.  Not my Sunday morning life, not my Easter weekend life, but my entire life.  I have been watching this week on facebook, especially, and a little bit on Twitter, and I have seen a lot of hatred being spewed.  The issue of Equality has come up specifically this week due to "gay marriage".  It has been very interesting watching people's view and convictions, watching intolerance of others (on both sides of the board) and the hatred that has been spewing forward.    I have friends who live a lifestyle that is different from mine.  They know my view point, my opinions, my convictions, and I know theirs.  We disagree on things and we agree on things, but ultimately, they are my friends.  I have friends who share the same convictions as me, and yet we still disagree on things, and disagree how things should be addressed.  I am not typing this blog today to defend my beliefs, to attack others on their beliefs, or to get into arguments about my view points on "equality".  That is not my purpose. 

What my heart is feeling today is sadness.   It is Good Friday.  If you are Believer, it means that Jesus chose to go to the cross and be sacrificed for you.  He did this whether you believe in Him or not, whether you choose Him or not, and whether you ultimately follow Him or not.  He did this despite your choices or beliefs.  He did this completely out of love.  He did this because He created every single person with a purpose and a plan.  If you are not a believer, it makes no difference to you, this is simply another day.    This is where Good Friday and Equality cross paths for me today. 

I watch my friends who live the different lifestyle from me getting pounded and beaten up by Believers.  I watch them fight back for their opinions.  I watch the definition of "sin" getting tossed around by people on both sides.  I watch the phrases "love the sinner, hate the sin" and "all of the bigots" and multiple attacks get thrown around like a football on Friday night in Texas! 
Here is the deal, we ALL sin.  Whether you want to identify certain behaviors as sin or not, is not a discussion that I want to be in.  All I know is that we all sin.  It is humans that have defined what they believe are "worse" sins than others.  There are biblical references for sins in the bible.  Yes, there are references to homosexuality, as there are also references to adultry, pre-marital sex, lying, cheating, murder, slander, inciting those to confrontation, and the list goes on and on.  That is the exact purpose of the Cross.  The purpose of the cross was not to sit in judgement to identify which sin is worse, which person is worse because they commit this sin or behavior and how to condemn them.  That is the exact opposite of the cross.  The cross was to bridge the way into heaven where we are cleansed from any choice that we make which is against who God is,  and we have freedom from the traps of the enemy's snare.  We seem to forget that as Believers.  We make it our goal to attack those who believe differently from us, to shame them, to level them to the ground.  Really?  Is that really what you were called to do?   The cross is simply to bring Freedom!

I have been able to maintain relationships with people who live a homosexual lifestyle, with people who completely disregard God or His existence, or any belief in Him, those who have had abortions, those who have committed adultry, friends who lie, cheat and steal, girls who gossip and slander, and Believers who incite others to anger.  I am not saying this to make me look great and holy.  I am saying this because those people have also maintained relationships with me despite all of my failures, sins, choices, beliefs and decisions.  I will maintain my belief in Christ, I will share my belief in Christ, I pray for these friends on a consistent basis, and I know that Jesus died EQUALLY for them as He did me.  EQUALITY=  dying for all of us, despite our beliefs, choices, or opinions.   All Jesus wants is a relationship with us, where we are, who we are, and how we are.  It is not my job to change hearts.  I absolutely do not have that authority or power.   I love all of my friends.  I love who they are.  I may disagree on issues, "sins" and beliefs, but I love them with the love of Christ, that is so overwhelmingly powerful that it is indescribable!  I don't care about behaviors, I care about  hearts.  My heart will always be praying for my friends.  (whether they like it or not! :) )
Today as I remember the Cross and what Jesus chose to do, I will remember all of my friends..those who partake in the Celebration with me, those who do not.  Those who are fighting for things I may  disagree with, those who disagree with things that I fight for.  Those who are hurting and need healing, those who are joyful and peaceful. Those who are worn and tired, those who are refreshed and awake, those who fight against me and those who are with me.   We are all equal in the sight of God, and we all deserve what He did on the cross as we all, in our way, sent Him there.  Thank you for being my friend, thank you for letting me be your friend.  Thank you for listening to me when you do not agree with me, and thank you for letting me listen to you and speak when I do not agree.   This song is one of my favorite songs.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLDGVl8D5UU  Please feel free to watch it.  This is the love I am talking about!    "I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." Eph 1:7.    I LOVE YOU MY FRIENDS!