On My Soapbox

Normally my blog is filled with useless information about me and the goings on in my life. Every once in a while I get on my soapbox and my blog becomes a sounding board for my feelings, opinions and thoughts. This is probably useless information as well, but I shall post them anyways. Brian, K-T and I went to go see End of the Spear on Sunday, as both K-T and I mentioned in yesterday's posts. Yesterday afternoon, someone mentioned to me that the actor that plays the main characters, Nate Saint and Steve Saint as a grown man, is gay. Because of this, some Christian groups are boycotting the movie and saying that anyone who supports the movie is really not a Christian.

What are my thoughts on this? It doesn't change my opinion of the movie one iota. It was a fantastic movie, and they did a wonderful casting job of it as well. There were probably quite a few non-Christians that took part in the making of this movie, just as there were alot that took part in the making of the Passion of the Christ. What better way to reach out to the actors than for them to take part of the gospel message?

The thought of Christians boycotting a "Christian" movie baffles me. Am I missing something here? Aren't we shooting ourselves in the foot? I know that every group has it's fringe or radicals, or far-lefts or far-rights, but the very idea is incomprehensible to me. Since we are to use God's Word as our guide, here are verses that stand out to me.

Mark 2:15-17
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Romans 14:9-13
9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Matthew 5:43-47

43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

In an attempt to not judge those that I feel are judging, I make a plea. To remember that we are all sinners, and that we are saved through Christ who judges all men equally.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Thanks for listening.