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Love the sinner, hate the sin, says Potsdam resident

Posted 5/27/14

To the Editor: “For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.” Bev Brownell’s letter on the Gay Pride Parade drew all sorts of …

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Love the sinner, hate the sin, says Potsdam resident

Posted

To the Editor:

“For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.”

Bev Brownell’s letter on the Gay Pride Parade drew all sorts of the usual complaints saying she was being intolerant and judgmental – what is always said when a Christian points out sin all around us. As Pastor Lowe said, all of us sin. In 1John 5: 16-17, we read, “All wrongdoing is sin” and “there is sin which is deadly (mortal).” It is clear from natural law and Scripture (Genesis 19:5-8; Leviticus 18:22-23; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:9-10) that homosexual actions are deadly, just like abortion, murder, fornication and adultery are also; Christ’s Church has never wavered on these because truth cannot change.

Too many are locked in sin, in greater bondage and have never been properly corrected. To fail to correct is to fail in love and mercy; it is to fail to be virtuous and to fail in calling others to virtue. Correction is an act of love. When a parent tells a child not to do something dangerous or wrong, it is because they love him and don’t want him to die or get hurt.

Correcting the sinner is not being judgmental – it is an essential work of Christian charity (love); in fact, over and over again Scripture tells us to correct the sinner. (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:19; Leviticus 19:17; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6,14; 2 Timothy 3:16) And Jesus didn’t condemn us in our sin, but gives us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, forgives us and tells us to go and sin no more. (John 8:11)

He did not say, go and proudly proclaim your sinfulness publically! “The beginning of pride is sin and the one who clings to it pours out abominations.” (Sirach 10:13) Sin is a revolt against the order established by God. Man sins out of weakness and feels shame for his sin and desires to make amends or sins with special malice taking pride in it. To take pride in practicing the homosexual vice, proclaiming it publically, is a sin of the spirit, a challenge to the Law of God.

So folks please don’t get mad at us when we speak out against sin, He made us do it out of love for you.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

Chris LaRose

Potsdam