This Goes Out to Christians (especially Jen Hatmaker's Followers)

Most of my blogs are intended for everybody, especially those who haven't had the pleasure of knowing Jesus. I (try to) write my blogs with a tender heart for those who aren't familiar with the Bible. I try to be nonjudgmental and loving in what I share and how I share it. However, today I'm specifically addressing Christian men and women. I am going to be a bit more direct with my brothers and sisters in Christ...because I'm angry. And I may lose a few friends in what I write today but my purpose is to live for Jesus not to live for others. And I have a heavy, heavy heart.

Jen Hatmaker and a few other prominent Christian leaders have come out and stated their beliefs that homosexuality is not wrong from a biblical standpoint. Although they have publicized a fancy rationale for how they came to these conclusions, I'm going to spare you my rationale of what is right and wrong from a Biblical standpoint and just go with what the Bible actually says. I figured this is the safest way to make an argument of what the Bible says. So here goes a direct quote:

1 Corinthians 6:8-11
Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you now know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 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.

Re-read it again if you will, but the bible lists acts of same-sex sex as sin...along with having idols, being an adulterer, being greedy, being drunk, being a cheat, etc. (An important note...many sins I'm in fact guilty of!) I'm not singling out homosexuality as a sin and forgetting all the other sins...I'm just saying the bible does identify homosexuality as a sin.

First a note to the LBGTQ community...I love you. God loves you. I look at you no different than any other person because we are ALL sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Sin is sin...clearly defined in the bible. But PLEASE do not miss the last part of the verse...you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Your sin is no different than any other person's sin and you are free to accept God's grace like any other sinner according to the Bible.

Now, a note to the Christians who are putting their "own spin" on the Bible. YOU are putting Christians who've decided to follow what the bible says, in a very bad place. YOU are making it harder for me to stand up for my faith because it's now YOUR interpretation (a much more "popular" interpretation) against God's Scripture and if I stand up for God's Holy Word, I'm painted as the "bad" "judgmental" or "hateful" person. YOU are supposed to be on my team and be united in Christ with me. But YOU are making me feel horrible for believing the Bible among all of my friends who are active in the LBGTQ community. YOU are dividing the Christian community instead of uniting it. And it makes me heartbroken. And it makes me angry.

I have such a tender, passionate heart for sinners that do not know Jesus...because I was once one of those people. Even within my own faith journey, there have been times I got caught up in my own sin and was not walking with Christ. And it was loving people who called out my sin according to the Bible and helped me repent and turn away. I'm okay if someone doesn't want to believe or disagrees with what the Bible says because that is between God and them. But the fact you are misleading what the Bible says is scary and a huge disservice to people in your community. So although it is not the "popular" thing to do or way to believe...I have to choose God over your modern day interpretation of His Word. It might not be easy but it's what is right. I might lose some friends but I won't lose God. I wish you would take time to reflect on what you are doing within the Christian community and just stop. I wish you would realize you can love others and still stand by Scripture.

Heartbroken, angry and divided,

​Ashley Lucille

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