real life - I struggle. There seems to be a fine line between sharing Scripture...even clarifying it. I know it is offensive to those who don't believe and I know why....
Isaiah 8:13-15 (New International Version)
13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,
14 and he will be a sanctuary;
but for both houses of Israel he will be
a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people of Jerusalem he will be
a trap and a snare.
15 Many of them will stumble;
they will fall and be broken,
they will be snared and captured."
and again in
Luke 2:34: Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against.
No one wants to hear this...no one wants to think that there are certain things required other than just being good at heart and basically moral - even I struggle with it. I try to do good and serve at Church and at school because I think that if I do these things - God and those around me must think I am pretty decent and love me for what I do. But that is not so. He loves me because of his Son. Had Christ not died on the cross for my sins - I could and would not be acceptable to God. But Christ did die and because God allowed his son to die for me and because Christ willingly did it - I can be saved. But I must understand that I am - in fact - a sinner.
But there comes a point where it seems to exasperate folks. I think (and I know how much that is worth) that people truly do know deep down. They may not even realize it. But what it comes down to is the fact that they have to make the decision of whether they believe or not on their own. I want to lay what I believe to be true out...make it as clear as possible and then let that truth either grow where it will...or fall away. After all...it is not up to me to change their minds. Just to share what I know.
So sin is absolutely sin. I have lied - I know I am a sinner. I have broken pretty much every law in the ten commandments...I KNOW I am a sinner. And my sin is not above anyone elses...just because I have hated someone does not mean that it is any worse than lying...nor am I any better than someone who has actually murdered someone. I am still in need of the saving grace of God. So- whether it be homosexuality or divorce, if I have been called to do or to stay away from it within the boundary of God's Word, and I do not heed then it is sin.