Does God's Word Direct Us to Accept Everyone?

My last blog post had to do with Belmont University.  If you read it, you know that the school just recently added "sexual orientation" to their non-discrimination policy - a move that basically paves the way for them to hire gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and trans-gendered individuals.  The school's trustee chairman indicated that the school would remain true to its Christian heritage when it relieved a lesbian soccer coach of her duties.  Yet, within a matter of days the school "changed its tune" when a wealthy music mogul made a $10,000,000 donation to the school.  Funny how that kind of money has a way of helping individuals and institutions to change their minds.

I learned about this story primarily through the writing of Lonnie Wilkey, editor of the Tennessee Baptist Convention's Baptist & Reflector.  He basically took Belmont University to task for compromising under the weight of the almighty dollar.  Since then, others have taken exception with what Lonnie had to write.  One such writer, Chris McCain of The Tennessean, published an article entitled "Following God's Word Means Accepting Everyone."

That brings me back to my original question:  Does God's Word really direct us to accept everyone?  The answer to that question depends on how one defines the word "accept."  If by "accept" someone means that we are to love everyone and seek their salvation and discipleship, clearly the answer to that question is yes.  If you read Mr. McCain's article, it's very clear he's not using that definition of "accept."  For him, acceptance means a complete endorsement of someone's lifestyle - in this case, the lifestyle of a homosexual.  He argues that "to label homosexuality as a sin places human limits on God's love."  In other words, unless you're willing to completely endorse the lifestyle of a homosexual, you're short-changing the love of God.

I'd like to respectfully disagree.  It is entirely possible for a Christian to love everyone without condoning their sinful behaviors.  Since Mr. McCain made reference to Jesus in his article, it will aid us to look at how Jesus dealt with similar situations of sin.  John 7:53-8:11 shares with us the story of the woman who was caught in adultery.  When given a chance to condemn her to death, Christ looked down at the adulterous woman and forgave her sins.  In doing so, he demonstrated the love of God.

It's at that point of the story where our liberal friends always seem to stop, but her story was not finished there.  What did Jesus say next?  "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (John 8:11).  The fact that Jesus loved the adulterous woman didn't stop Him from confronting her with her sin and calling her to repentance.  In doing so, he demonstrated the holiness of God.  So then, if we're going to be faithful to our Lord, we must also demonstrate God's love and holiness.  We can't do that if we start accepting every sinful lifestyle that comes down the pike.

And by the way, if "following God's Word means accepting everyone," I wonder if Mr. McCain would be in favor of Belmont "accepting" pedophiles under the school's non-discrimination policy?  What about polygamists?  Or perhaps even those who practice bestiality?  If following God's Word means accepting everyone, shouldn't those who practice such things also be considered for hiring by the school?

Obviously, Mr. McCain doesn't really mean everyone when he says everyone.  He wants to define who "everyone" is.  Here is Mr. McCain's dilemma:  The choice is not his to make.  The choice is God's to make and He settled it a long time ago when He gave us His precious, inerrant Word.  Rather than giving lip-service to God and distorting the truth of His Word, my prayer is that we will all continue to demonstrate both His love and holiness by "speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15).  Our world needs Him now more than ever.