What Cross are we going to die on?

As  Christian's we have an important question to reflect on...

What Cross are we called to die on?

(Quick disclaimer. This is written by a Christian to other Christians. Please understand that context. I am using certain terms like sin and sinners in terms other Christians will understand...)


Recently, the Chick fil-A thing has brought the gay marriage issue back to the American discussion. Now, the whole Chick fil-A thing is a topic unto it's self because to me it illustrates how divided we are as a country and really shows just how both extremes on the issue cause people to behave ridiculously but, thats not the main thrust of what I'm getting into here.

What Cross do we die on? What issues do we take a stand on? Gay marriage, abortion, swearing,  junk food, divorce, so on and so on.

You see, culture and the world hates Christians for a lot of reasons, but for the most part, they don't hate us for the right reason! Whats the right reason? The Gospel of Jesus Christ. That, while we who have been called were still arrogant enemies living filthy lives and flipping God off, He, through his power, rescued us by dying in our place, because he loves us . Jesus died because of our sin, so that we can live!

The message of the gospel is enough to trip people up. It's enough to make people hate us, lash out at us, disown us, mock us. They will be offended by the Truth of God's awesome love because of it's exclusivity.

The Gospel is the central message of what we believe, it's the only thing that determines where we are heading in life and death, the cornerstone of our faith, and yet, how often do we share that? How often do we take a stand for the gospel in our lives? How often, in a real, sincere way, where we're vulnerable and real, and where it would cost us something, do we "take a stand" on the Gospel? Not often... It's much easier to show our "faith" by going to church, by going to support Chick fil-A, or by condemning people's social views.

If you believe people are going to hell because they are gay, then why not let them get married? They're not going to hell any less than if they're not married. Gay people getting married doesn't make them any more of a sinner. We're not sinners because we sin, we sin because we're sinners at birth! We're all sinners. When you break the law, any law, you are a lawbreaker. You have missed the perfect mark of Jesus and you are a sinner.

In light of that, should we not be more focused on loving them where they're at? Would it not be better  to see a person living a Christ-like life who has a posture of love as Jesus has and had for us?

As Christians, we have become known for what we're against. We have become known for our politics, and social issues, and it's all crap. We cannot legislate righteous.  All this to say, we can ruin relationships over these things. We can become dead to people over these issues. I don't want to die for anything less than the truth that sets people free. The Gospel of Grace is what changes people.

Our culture hates strict absolutes. People will be angry for asserting that Christ is the only Way. People will hate us because we tell them that they are a sinner and they need a Savior because they can't save themselves, but that's the ultimate truth that holds our faith together. And yet thats the true thing that brings real change to our lives.

So, what cross do you want to die on? When people pull away from you because of your beliefs, which one would you like it to be?

As for me, I don't want to do it over secondary social issues. I want to speak more transparently about the hope I have. About why I can love people the way I do, about why I might just be different from others. I want to be willing to suffer for speaking the Truth of the Gospel. John 3:16. 

This is not about condemning or encouraging sin. Please understand, I am not saying we shouldn't have a voice about certain issues, but we should really consider how often we are speaking out, about what, and the platform we're using. We should gravely consider what is to be gained for the Kingdom by sharing a particular view point. Maybe, instead of telling our gay friends about how wrong they are and how they should not get married, what if we loved them and celebrated with them? what if we instead shared the beautiful Good News of Christ Jesus.

So, again, what cross are you going to die on???

Some great reading if you don't agree with me, or I guess even if you do...

Hugh Halter: (Would Jesus bake a cake for a gay wedding?)

Genevieve West: (To my gay friends and Chick fil-A loving Christians)

Sorry, no anonymous comments please.