Godly Discrimination

One sign we’re living in the last days is society’s increasing acceptance of homosexuality. At the time of this writing, 36 American states have legalized same-sex marriage. In response to Florida being the most recent, a Tampa Tribune writer claimed it “should represent no threat to anyone’s personal faith.” Baloney!

In many other places, Christian business owners who stood up against the homosexual agenda have been severely persecuted. One Colorado baker named Jack Phillips was threatened with jail time for refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Instead of going to a different bakery, the two men filed a lawsuit. A judge ruled Phillips was guilty of “discrimination” and ordered him to make wedding cakes for other same-sex couples who visit his store. He has since stopped making wedding cakes altogether.

One homosexual wrote to me claiming Jesus never discriminated against anyone. Therefore, Christians shouldn’t do that as well. A closer study of Scripture would reveal otherwise. Although the Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish, He will resist certain individuals such as the proud (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). Likewise, Christians are to distance themselves from certain types of people. Among them are those who contentiously promote false teachings...

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” - Romans 16:17

“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” - Titus 3:10-11

“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.” - 2 John 1:10-11 (NLT)

We are also to avoid fellowship with professing believers living in willful sin. 1 Corinthians 5:11 says, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”

Now it’s different if you are ministering to sinners. Jesus reached out to thieves and prostitutes not to affirm their behaviors but to give them opportunities to repent and be transformed. Likewise, Christians can cultivate friendships with unbelievers in hopes that they will come to know the Lord someday. However, we are not to feel guilty when boundaries must be set with those who repeatedly reject the truth of God’s word. 

It’s not always hate to discriminate.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14

Your Daddy’s So Proud of You

People can have wrong perceptions of God because of a not-so-good relationship with their earthly father. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a house meeting hosted by a minister friend. During a time of waiting on the Lord, my friend played on his stereo a song by Keith Ferrante called “Your Daddy’s So Proud”, which is meant to be a love song from Father God to His people. Another man at the meeting got upset because of the song and came close to walking out the door. Fortunately, I convinced him to stay and spent time ministering to him.

This is not the first time that has happened. At another house meeting a few months earlier, this same man got offended after hearing “Your Daddy’s So Proud.” He claimed, “God doesn’t want us proud. Therefore, God shouldn’t be proud of us.” I replied by pointing out if our kids do well in school or accomplish something worthwhile, we would likely tell them, “I’m proud of you.”

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines pride as “feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” This same dictionary calls pride a sin if one has “an excessively high opinion of oneself or one's importance.”  

It’s true that many Scriptures talk about pride in a negative sense. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both say, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Sadly, some sinners like to proudly display their deviant behaviors (such as in “Gay Pride” parades). 

On the other hand, the Apostle Paul walked in humility yet took pride in the people he raised up in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 7:14 in the New American Standard Bible says, “I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true!” 2 Corinthians 8:24 in the Amplified Bible reads, “Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what [good reasons] I had for boasting about and being proud of you.”

It’s okay for believers to be proud of their accomplishments as long as they give God the glory…

“For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.” - 2 Corinthians 1:12 (NASB)

“Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.”- 2 Corinthians 5:12 (NASB)

Years ago at a Lutheran renewal meeting, I received a life-changing revelation regarding what happened after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Luke 3:22 says, “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” Notice God was pleased with His Son before He did any miracles. We don’t have to do any good works to be in right standing with God. All we need to do is receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Religion always turns those things around. 

Of course, God is pleased when we obey His commandments. But as long as your faith is in the person of Christ and not what you do for Him, Abba Father will always be proud of you.

“Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.” - 2 Corinthians 1:14 (NLT)