This World is Not Our Home

This world is not our home. We would not go to a stranger’s home and rearrange the furniture to make ourselves more comfortable. We would hesitate to suggest that the wall colors should be changed, or that the carpet should be pulled out in favor of hardwood. If you were a guest with a very important life or death mission, I’m sure you would be even less likely to comment on the state of the person’s home.
This world is not our home. This is a fallen world, waiting to be redeemed by a savior. As Christians, we are to be a fragrance of Jesus to this world. We should not be surprised when the country at large turns away from our value system. Of course they will.
It is my belief that Christians should not try to force everyone to conform to our values and sense of morality unless lives are at stake. I am not sure how we can simultaneously love people and protest them.
I have heard many people say that gay marriage will somehow harm traditional marriage. I believe divorce is what harms traditional marriage, as does adultery, abuse, and addiction.
For reasons unknown to me, some Christians think that homosexuality is the ultimate sin. That is not how God sees it. In fact, Sodom, oft referenced to point out God’s disgust with homosexuality, was in fact destroyed because of their lack of care for the poor, and for rampant greed and arrogance. As followers of Christ, can we say with certainty that we care for the poor, and that we lack arrogance?
Instead of focusing on political issues, perhaps we should remember that people see Jesus when we are like Him. Instead of trying so hard to legislate morality, maybe we should model it. How do we expect to reach a world that needs grace? Do we reach it holding picket signs condemning entire groups of people, or with humility, and grace? The same grace that was poured out on us, regardless of our sins. Have we collectively forgotten who we are? We are salt, and light. But I fear we may be a bit bland and dim.
My prayer is that we Christians would remember the mercy that was so abundantly poured over our sins. We should remember that God never tires of forgiving us. We should remember that the whole world needs the grace that God gave us. And we should stop trying to make ourselves comfortable here. This is not our home.