Many people are surprised at the number of differences we have here at GC (gaychurch.org). How can those of us who support same-sex relationships be part of the same Christian community as those who don't? How can Catholics and Protestants look each other in the eye and call each other "Christian"? How can people who are so different be brothers and sisters in the same faith, serving the same God?

To be sure, it would be easier to alienate ourselves from those who think differently. And theological perspectives are important. It's not just a matter of opinion; we're all trying to find the Truth, and we can't all be right. But at the same time, there's a higher calling on us all - a calling expressed particularly well by Paul in this section of his letter to the Ephesians.

quote:

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Powerful words. May we live them out in our day-to-day dealings with our fellow Christians, even if they don't treat us as their brothers and sisters.

This speaks to me personally. I too struggle whith LOVING those who due to ignorance do not love me. But I am commanded to love my neighbour as myself, loving others is NOT dependant on them doing the same.
Luke 6:32
For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them.
We are one body in Christ:
Eph 2:13-19
But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For He is our PEACE, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us:
Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain ONE new man, so making PEACE;
And that He might reconcile both unto God in ONE BODY by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached PEACE to you which were a far off, and to them that were nigh.
For through Him we BOTH have access by ONE Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

quote:

Powerful words. May we live them out in our day-to-day dealings with our fellow Christians, even if they don't treat us as their brothers and sisters.

Yes,
They are very powerful words. I wonder how many we haven't treated as brothers and sisters, especially on these message boards even recently. May we recognize when we are the offenders and seek reconciliation and forgiveness where possible, otherwise we are only deceiving and justifying ourselves in our own hearts.

It certainly is hard for us to know who is Christian and who is not. A good friend of mine is Catholic and I believe she is as much of a Christian as I am. I am Baptist and a "born again" Christian. Some of my classmates say they are Christians but I would not have known had I not asked if they attended church.

Thankfully, we do not have to be the judge of who is right or wrong. Wow! Am I thankful I do not have to be the judge! No matter whether I think a person is a Christian or not, I am commanded to love and I strive to do that all the time.

1 John 4
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (NLT)

I know I'm not perfect. I have had a hard time loving people in real life and I have had a hard time with some of my fellow gaychurch members. But that is life and I have to live the life God has given me.

I think what we have to strive to do is to pray for wisdom and never respond to friend in haste. That way, we can know that we're speaking the words God wishes for us to speak for him...in love!

Great thread, Blu.

Whether a person is Christian or not is of practically no relevance to me. Sure, there are things you can talk about with other Christians that you can't discuss with people outside of faith (simply because they can't relate). And it always warms my heart when I meet another person on the same path.

But love, compassion, empathy, sharing or whatever is definitely not something I reserve for other Christians. For me, Christianity is about thinking outside of the box and trying to penetrate beyond man-made labels. And "Christian" is a label as any other. Sometimes it doesn't really mean much at all.

I used to work with a wonderful lady who was Jehovah Witness. She exemplified what a Christian is to be. She and her husband gave up a yearly income of over $100,000, their home and luxury cars to go to a third world country they felt God was calling them to go to and be missionaries. I know very few "Mainstream" Christians who would do this, yet they did it willingly. We had our differences, but we respected each other and each other's beliefs. I fully belive that we will see people that we would not classify as "Christians" such as some JW's, Mormans and others, because GOD knows their hearts not us.

I refuse to say that it is not possible for a Muslim or any other religion that is not mainstream Christian to make it to Heaven, because we just don't know. Only God does. I remember growing up in the Nazarene religion and often you'd hear the preachers say that Baptists, Catholics, or any other denomination were not "True" christians. I've always thought that was poppycock and I still do.