1 Timothy 1:10 (ESV) — 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice
homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to
sound doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:13 (ESV) — 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and
insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in
unbelief,
NOTE: These verses
are interesting, the first thought is that Paul places the practice of
homosexuality with those who enslave (slavery). Paul is very clear in his
opposition to these, despite the fact that they were common practice in Rome at
the time. The true church fought against the practice of slavery. The religious
fought for it because of the need for cheap labor. The religious used passages
in the bible to defend their position, even though in context, those passages
describe a practice but do not in any way teach slavery. Here, Paul makes his
opposition to slavery very clear.
But there is one
other thing that we must remember with anyone who lives immorally -- Paul lived
immorally and God was merciful to him because of his ignorance. So today, we
must be gentle with the ignorant. Sin remains sin, but the individual is made
in the image of God and is worth of respect and dignity.
PRAYER: Father, open
our eyes to sin as you define it. We have watered down what we don't like to
call sin. We have shamelessly and "proudly" paraded what we think is
not sin. And we have create separate categories for sin that we absolutely detest.
While the latter is not wrong, we would do well to remember that all sin is sin
in your eyes. And any one sin separates us from you for eternity. Only faith in
Jesus can save us from our predicament.
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