John 13 says it all for me.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Some people take that to mean they should only love Christians. Jesus showed that he loved everyone. I realize these little debates and arguements have value for us, but I can't help but think that Jesus would have nothing to do with the piousness that some people spew in his name.
Perry, I think you are not a bad person. I think you are a fearful person. You are to quick to condemn what you feel is wicked and an abomination because somehow, you equate the hatred of your personal take on wickedness to be just as powerful and necesarry as love and acceptance is. Since Jesus said he/god would judge the wicked, why don't you just leave it with them?
Your humble confessions of your own filth do little for me. Jesus had a much more attractive message then "I am a sinner, woe is me."
We can go back and forth on this. I won't do that tonight. I feel sad that anyone would dare talk of wickedness when no one is qualified to judge their brother. But Jesus did say that if you want to see a Christian, then love one another. I never sense your love Perry, only pious judging of others as a contrast to your spiffy new relationship with Christ.
But Jesus said to love one another...
Sounds good to me. In the meantime, I will not condemn a person who in his personal or private life harms no one but the offended imaginations of a few loudmouths. I say that with brutal honesty, tinged with respect.