It isn't so much about not flying the flag...

Having had a couple of Mondays away on vacation and with family visiting last week, I've hardly had a chance to think about this blog. But here I am, trying to get back into the flow...
While I was away, during the beginning and mid parts of the month, a controversial decision was made by Truro town council to not fly the Gay Pride Flag. Most of the controversy, as I understand it, came from the impression that the mayor is not tolerant of the gay lifestyle and that he used his Christian faith as a basis for that stance. Something like 7000 letters to the editor were written in on this topic. This issue even received national news coverage.
Most of the other council members stated that they had their own reasons for not wanting to fly the flag...but it was mainly the mayor - the Christian mayor - who bore the brunt of the criticism. The issue has now been sent to the Human Rights Commission by the gay community - I suppose in an effort to force the town into flying the flag and make an apology.
What I wanted to do in this blog was not debate whether or not the town should fly the flag, but rather, look at why a Christian might make a decision such as what the mayor of Truro did. Some have said that the mayor should keep his religious beliefs to himself and outside of the political arena, but what those people do not understand is that Christianity is not one single book in our life's library, it is, in fact, the whole thing. In other words, a Christian does not separate their faith from their work or their relaxation. They are always a Christian, no matter what the environment or situation. Other people do that everyday - they live by their worldview - I just find it fascinating that tolerance isn't often granted towards the Christian community these days, otherwise why the big fuss over the flag. Isn't it just two opposing worldviews? Society is no longer tolerant of the church's position that Jesus is the way...'Go and sin no more'...;it may tolerate the church, but its views are not welcome in modern day life.
Why might this be? Perhaps because society doesn't want to acknowledge its flaws and subsequent need for a Saviour. Whether or not you abide by the Bible - the basis for the Christian worldview - here is what is says in I Cor. 6:9-11; "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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."
As you can see, there is quite a list - not exhaustive - of people that won't be a part of God's kingdom. Yet, the wonderful thing about Christianity is that it is hope based. Christianity is about transformation - not tolerance. God desires to change us from what we are in our flawed (sinful) state into one that is transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2) and life. Note how I Cor. 6:11 says that some of the believers used to practice 'wicked' activities. But no matter the past, God can change the present.
I've heard it argued in this debate that Christians should practice the love they 'preach' about, and not be against others who may be different. But love without the hope of change/transformation from our fallen state is an incomplete Christian message that does no one any eternal good.
Should homosexuals - or others who are different - be discriminated against? Never...and for that there should be no excuse…however, that does nor mean that I have to agree with what they do. For those that want to fly the flag or take part in rallies, that’s their choice, just as it’s my choice to believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus. For those that disagree with the Bible or Christ, feel free to state that, but do not discriminate against me because I choose to believe. If discrimination is wrong one way – then it’s wrong the other. Live life your way, but let the Church be the Church with its message of life change and transformation. For those that accept it, it’s a matter of choice.
It isn't so much about not flying the flag, as it is standing up for what you believe is truth. If that is wrong, then we're all in trouble.
Let me know what you think.

"Send Revival, Start with me."

Pastor Ken