Pride: That is the issue.

Yes, it is that weekend again. The weekend when the streets of major cities are founding flowing in rainbows. And as the rainbows go by, the streets are left filled with pride. And this gives occasion for us to understand a critical distinction in the scriptures. There is a large difference between prideful sin and repentant sin. The first is deadly to the Christian and becomes as occasion for God’s temporal and eternal wrath. The second is harmful no doubt, but becomes an occasion for God’s temporal and eternal grace to be manifested.

It is one thing to struggle with homosexuality and repentant of impure thoughts and actions. It is quite another to flaunt that sin with flags and floats. The former is quite possible in the Christian life.  The latter is not. Prideful sin drives out the Spirit and without the Spirit no one can say genuinely “Jesus is Lord.”

Homosexuality is not different than any other sin so long as it is dealt with confession and the absolution of Christ. But the problem as this weekend shows is that in our culture currently, to deal with homosexuality in this way is rare indeed. The flags and floats way seems to rule the day.

And that is why we must stand up against this sin with particular diligence. Not because it is any different in nature, because it because it is flaunted with such pride by so many in our culture.

Struggle with impure homosexual thoughts and deeds? Welcome to the community of Christ where forgiveness is given freely to all who who will receive it. Proud of those same thoughts and deeds? The welcome regrettably can not be extended.

Pride: that is the issue, as it was in the beginning , is now, and will be forever.