I affirm you. What does that imply? You are OK? Do you feel affirmed by Jesus? Grace appears unconditionally so the answer to these questions may or may not be important. We need to welcome people entering a church as if we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Affirm almost adds an element of approval and that is not how Jesus conducted conversations. He called us to higher purposes. I was googling a local church and the second question considered had to do with LGBTQ standards. Who can attend this church? I think Jesus would welcome all but not affirm all. He always calls us to His standard which is holiness. Sin is not holy. Affirm implies approval. None of us pass any test on this point except for our Savior. Offer support and encouragement but do not assert publicly. Allister Begg gives a sermon where he mentions the thief on the cross. Begg pretends to be in heaven asking this man how he qualified to enter heaven. The two banter back and forth then the thief gives this answer for his presence in heaven, “The man on the middle cross said I can come”. BOOM – drop the mic. Jesus does not say being a thief is affirmed. While we are still on earth Jesus says, welcome lesbian – let’s talk. Welcome gay – let’s talk. Welcome bisexual – let’s talk. Welcome transgender – let’s talk. Welcome queer/questioning – let’s talk. Welcome liar/cheat – let’s talk. Welcome murderer – let’s talk. Welcome abuser – let’s talk – ad infinitum. We, the church, are sinner’s saved by grace so let’s talk with Jesus. We get no credit because we are saved by the man on the middle cross. I love churches in north Idaho. Many have a mound with three crosses near the street. A reminder of the man in the middle, the one who rejected, and the one who accepted.
