February 11, 2013
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facebook conversation on homosexuality , sin, our response to the sinner
1. I edited this from my site..these are responses to a 2/7/13 status update I did.
2. If you don’t read the entire blog….make sure you make it to the last one posted here by Susie Parsons Sumner! She is an excellent write and she also includes a prophetic sentence for our country at the end of her statement…
3. PLEASE, if you respond to this post (or the facebook version), respond in thoughtfulness, not a “knee jerk ” response calling Christians “haters” or even looking at a practicing homosexual as a hopeless case . Respond in love, gentleness , patience, kindness — you get the point , right?
Rosemary Herms-Barnes {that’ me — Herms was my maiden name} February 7 at 2:41pm ·
I just posted this on a newspaper blog and want you to tell me , honestly, what you think: I agree that we are not in a position to “condemn” anyone because, yes, we all sin. BUT, the problem sometimes (it seems, anyway…) that we can all write a list of things we all agree are sin (e.g., stealing, lying, gossiping,etc.) but if we include “homosexuality” on that list there seems to be a chorus of voices ready to call us “haters” just for including that on our sin list. Furthermore, while it is true we have to continually examine ourselves, it is also true that we are to help one another keep free from the seduction of sin (in love, in gentleness).
Often we put the concept of “who can cast the first stone” right up with not being able to call sin “sin”. The fact is that in the Bible where this phrase occurs, Jesus did NOT say her adultery was not sin — in fact , He said “Go and sin no more”. The casting stone phrase has to do with stoning her to death. Killing someone is one thing; calling sin “sin” is another.
There are several beloved people in my life whom I dearly love who are practicing homosexuals. But, they KNOW I believe their practice is SIN.
Why cannot we separate the idea of totally rejecting a loved one from loving them enough to speak up about sin?
Sin hardens our hearts. Sin separates from the Lord . What Christian believer wants to think of ther loved one (who may be a thief, adulterer) in Hell???Mona Sallie, Joanne Smit Teesdale, Vanessa Lynn Purcell and 21 others like this.
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Like I said, Shaun, His sermon on the mount just puts even MORE fear of God in my heart and gratitude for his saving grace when I repent and rely on His not only for forgivenys but also for the ability to overcome that sin.
February 7 at 6:16pm · Edited · Like · 1
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Richard the Bible says it is a sin. I find NO delight in finding out that anyone is struggling with any sin. Who are these people who look happy when they can call someone a sinner? Maybe they are out there, but my Christian friends are not like that. They are sad when someone falls into sin!
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Well, Richard, I look to my Bible as my Life manual…so, I am sorry that there is no common ground for discussion because that is my measuring stick for right and wrong.
Shaun Heeren i believe jesus reconciled in the body once for all the sinfulness of humanity, that his blood is the atoning sacrifice for all sin, that no amount of being good can justify us. and that if we want to help others we need to meet them in their circumstances. i also do not believe jesus went around calling anyone sinners. I believe thats what the “righteous” called the people who jesus ate with.
February 7 at 6:26pm · Like · 1
Herbert R. Bowman God bless you Rosemary, Thank God for a believer that is willing to face this issue head on. I say Amen to what you have said. This scripture comes to my mind, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. James 4:17…See More
February 7 at 7:22pm · Unlike · 3
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Shaun Heeren: Some words from the Bible from Jesus , referring to sin and sinfulness:
Luke 15: 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, un…See MoreRosemary Herms-Barnes You can clearly see that Jesus DID refer to people as “sinners” sometimes. Or tell a repentant sinner to “go and sin no more”. If you were to buy a Bible software program , it would be easy for you to find out the various things that are in the Bible— easy, but a lifetime of study too….
February 7 at 8:22pm · Like · 1
Shaun Heeren this is true he spoke extensively about the nature of sin, always forgiving and never condemning. because he did not come to condemn the world but to save it. so even though we are never so gracious as our savoir we should none the less try to be.
February 7 at 8:32pm · Unlike · 2
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Shaun…wow….I totally agree with your last statement and I personally want to be gracious and not be harsh…the idea is to win the person over to the Lord’s path and see them safe in Christ!! It was SO wonderful to me to see you make a statement we can believe together
February 7 at 8:39pm · Like · 1
Suzie Gay Etheridge to sin is to miss the mark….. i miss the mark somehow by something every day…. thank God Jesus said ‘It Is Finished’
Rosemary Herms-Barnes I Jn 1:7-10
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9…See MoreFebruary 7 at 8:44pm · Like · 2
Henry Baron What should two gays do who love each other and long to be in a committed relationship? Wish there were a biblical example of that.
Friday at 2:33pm via mobile · Like
Rosemary Herms-Barnes If 2 people love each other inappropriately (i.e., against the guidelines of the Lord), they are to distance themselves from one another. If I want something that God says “No” to, I need to let it go. It would not be hard for any of us to long for a night with any number of attractive people. But, it’s a “No” from God. So you repent of that desire and move on…..
Rosemary Herms-Barnes And do not think for one minute I have not said scores of “no’s” of things I longed for over my lifetime — including (decades ago) very appealing guys who only needed one “yes” from me for us to launch a new “meaningful relationship”. I can think o…See More
Friday at 8:18pm · Like · 1
Rosemary Herms-Barnes What is the difference between 2 married people having to say “no” to others with whom maybe they think they are “in love”? Maybe they have worked closely together over the years and gradually realized they understand each other more than their spouse…See More
Friday at 8:21pm · Like · 1
Chris Moore Rosemary, Thank you for your discussion here. It has helped me deal with the same issue.I too know people living this lifestyle and have struggled with how to handle it at times. I don’t have much to do with these few but when I do I treat them as frie…See More
Friday at 8:53pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Thank you for saying all that Chris! That blessed me. I often tackle “hard issues” because I would not respect myself if I did not. I know the inadequacy of the written word when we cannot hear tone , see body language, know the history of the person …See More
Rosemary Herms-Barnes But we have to love the unbelievers enough to keep “speaking the truth in love”!!
Friday at 9:07pm · Like · 1
Reuben Richardson why be lost,,,,,,,
Friday at 9:19pm · Unlike · 1
Suzie Gay Etheridge OK i havent read every comment here… what i DO KNOW IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO JUDGE ANYONE…… Jesus loves us and that is the message we carry…………………………………………………
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Is it possible that by not reading the comments you might be judging us all to be judging in a wrong way?
Read them when you get a chance and see whether or not we are writing anything unloving and/or unscriptural.Jemima Mical Villalba jesus is love we know that message… but also is JUSTICE…. (sorry my english is not good)
Saturday at 10:00am · Unlike · 1
Suzie Gay Etheridge no not at all Rosemary, i should have said. not my job as i was thinking of myself, something i need to take aboard my journey daily. God be with you sister….. hugs
Saturday at 11:22pm · Unlike · 1
Jason David Groenke I think it’s good to let people know my beliefs and where I stand, ask them if they want more info and if they decline let it be, stay kind and show understanding and if later they feel they need a change be there to help
Saturday at 11:48pm via mobile · Unlike · 2
Jason David Groenke That’s the game plan any-ways, I don’t always follow my own advice
Saturday at 11:53pm via mobile · Like
Suzie Gay Etheridge LOL me either…. just thinking lately for me i mean, take your hands of the control button….. Let Go Let God….
Rosemary Herms-Barnes Jason, I agree with you: I use my own site often to state my (very strong) beliefs and love to read people’s thoughtful responses so I too can see more. I figure everyone can do the same thing in their own “status” box. If people want to join in the d…See More
Jason David Groenke There is nothing better than civilized conversation with people with different views or opinions, disagree with them all night then hug them goodby
Yesterday at 12:30am via mobile · Unlike · 1
Rosemary Herms-Barnes AMEN, Jason…I love it when we can do that! I read so my responses to news articles on line that deteriorate into name calling and intimidation tactics (to shame and silence the one who disagrees) that I am thrilled when we can all talk respectfully to one another!
Jason David Groenke I think too many people don’t take time and learn about things, they just blindly hate. I try to learn as much as possible about things I hate,then when I see deeper I start to understand and see it from someone else’s eyes
Yesterday at 12:47am via mobile · Like
Hilda Clark I believe what you wrote was well said.
Yesterday at 8:43am · Unlike · 1
Susan Parsons Sumner A person with a homosexual bent has a particular opportunity to glorify God by refusing to follow the dictates of flesh thereby proving his/her love for Jesus, who said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” So sad that the opportunity is not often grasped so that God might be glorified and the person made whole! IT HAPPENS!
People feel sorry for homosexuals. Why? In the end, their cross is no heavier than a heterosexual who cannot find a compatible mate. Fornication is fornication, and without the sanctity of marriage (which includes commitment to love and cherish and preserve through every disagreement), sexual intimacy is abominable. Why again? Because it is not in keeping with the pattern of God’s creation. Practicing homosexuals are promoting a picture of that which cannot prosper in God’s design. (If all were homosexual, we could not be fruitful and multiply). People who get their hackles up and feel angry at this kind of stance need to re-think their own. Romans 1(vss. 24+) says that because of the Babylonish (pagan) influence willingly received by His people, God finally just gave them up to it (knowing that it would eventually move/evolve culture to the fullness of its sin, that the end might come—and we are in those end times). God gave them up to it, to “dishonor their own bodies between themselves.” Yes, it is a dishonor to one’s body—we weren’t designed for it. Further, Romans says that this cultural shift “changed the truth of God into a lie”–yes, the modern LIE is that homosexuality is another “natural” mindset, and even God-designed (!). Paul, still on the pagan subject in Romans says the cultural movement worshipped and served the creature more than the eternal Creator. Worship gives the favored place and devotes honor and promotion to its object. Today’s culture worships PEOPLE and their bents. And God is “bent” to fit their bents. (They wish!)
Romans continues, saying mankind and his culture has been given up unto the vile affections, “for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.” Today lesbianism isn’t just a bent from birth—it’s an experiment; kicks. It has become fashionable for hetero girls to have a lesbian affair, even in high school. Katy Perry’s song, “I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It” is a sign of where culture has come. And such uses of talent are socially and spiritually irresponsible.
Paul said that homosexuality has recompense. Part of that compensation for culture has been a reprobate mind—a lack of conscience, and a certain sense of self-righteousness—i.e., “Gay Pride” instead of humility and seeking God for a change in heart. WHICH HE CAN DO, AND DOES DO. Gay pride has gone beyond a smug license for sodomy. Even Paul says that they (the now-Godless culture) has been filled with ALL unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity. Flaming gayness as we see it in the media is full of Diva-vanity, saucy catty conversation, pride, smug “b—-ness”, criticism (just watch Project Runway), covetousness, and a generally sickening demeanor. And those who partake not only do such things, but have PLEASURE in them that do them. So are we among “those who partake” by reason of enjoying the comedies, the drama, the sassy personas portrayed on TV as modern homosexuality? I’m afraid we are. For this reason, I’m done with Project Runway and all the other shows that have come to glorify homosexual culture as something artistic and trend-setting. Yes, it is sin, not just for the practicing homosexual, but for all of society that embraces it as a norm. It has changed our culture into a hedonistic meat market and we shall soon see the result of it as the next 5 years unfold. Yes, I am being prophetic. Be watching.Rosemary Herms-Barnes Susie, your gift for putting things in writing is truly from our Lord!!! You should write a book on this one……You nailed it with the truth of Word and Spirit. I totally believe your prophetic word!!!
