We are absolutely to judge those that name themselves as a brother in the Church. But the exact opposite is true for those that are NOT a brother or sister in Christ. THEY should be welcomed so that they can hear the Word and be saved.
And if the offenders repent of their sin, they must be forgiven and accepted back.
So whatever UM individual Churches decide to not only accept homosexuals and the farce of marrying them, but in effect encourage that detestable behavior, those members should LEAVE that Church IMMEDIATELY.
Only God can judge because He is sinless. We (humans) are all sinners. There are many invisible sins, and so, we do not judge those sinners. We judge gay people because their sin is "visible" to us. Leave it in God's hands. I dont think you can encourage gay "behavior" (whatever that means) because you dont know what they do or dont do. To throw them out of the church is to do the exact opposite of what Jesus did. Jesus hung out with sinners and did not say "I wont hang out with you until you stop sinning". No. He modeled the right behaviour as should we all. Unless, and until, I am without sin, I will not judge their "sin". Unless, of course, they are harming another: examples wojuld be murderers, stealers, pedophiles, etc. If, like many divorced christians they are sinning, then no ... I can't do anything about that. They have to see it for themselves. It has been said "you cannot change others. you can only change yourself and that is hard enough.
I dont think I am better than any other sinner. Do you? If you find it detestable, ask yourself why since you dont have to do it. jmho, on this matter and humility is what Jesus asks of us.[/QUOTE]
Well a few minor considerations of your stated points...
1. Most the sinners Jesus hung out with he either healed and told them " Go and sin no more " Or he rebuked them , judged them, condemned them, Insulted their paternal heritage or their false doctrines.....
Whipped them....drove them away....called them thieves....LOL.....need more example? They exist !.....
Modern Christuan are always trying to paint Jesus as a panzy passivist who never judged or corrected or condemned anyone....
The record reflects that way of belief as delusional.....
Everyone wants to see him only as a sacrificial lamb from which only love and compassion...radiated from....well....he acted justly according to the situation warranted as necessary.
But, there existed more than passivity in his nature...so....If you wish to possess his wisdom to judge and call abominations for what they are then you will have to comprehend him as THE VICTORIOUS LION OF JUDAH .....which he also was and will be at second advent.
2......don't judge.....don't judge....don't judge.....OR LEST YE BE JUDGED BY THE SAME JUDGMENT YE MEET!!!!
In my opinion most christian use this as a cop out for not taking and supporting Gods position according to his word.....If God has already passed judgment and declared something an abomination then that is what it is....if you give support to going against what God has said the natural order is which he has declared to be an abomination then you are opposing God....so either you discern Gods word and support it .....or you don't it isn't a matter of judging...it is a matter of discerning. Just because you discern doesn't mean you have to practice condemnation....just stand firm on Gods word and say this is how God has judged it.
Very simple....you don't have to condemn or be violent or abusive but you don't have to accept an abomination to God either.....if you exercise accordance with Gods word then you have no fear of his retribution because you have discerned his judgment....not your own personal opinion.
So.....if you exercise proper judgment....the same judgment is going to be exercised on you whether you have solicited it by your own actions or not......You also will be judged by whether you chose to engage in abominations or not....
You aren't going to avoid Gods judgment nobody is.
And some abomination have already been judged as such the only question is if you are capable of discerning Gods word and identifying them.
But if you practice abominations not judging someone elses isnt going to avoid judgment of yours and condoning those of others isn't going to buy you any extra mercy or grace either.
What place has darkness with light......stand in the light and support the truth. Just don't condemn the sentencing is Gods.....if he has already condemned something its condemned....what favor is done by sugar coating it?
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