By Faith Hakesley
Well, June is here. It’s pretty hard to miss. Most everywhere we look, we are inundated (more so than usual) with rainbows and other symbols of “Pride.” These Pride events display cultural grooming at its finest. Many of us are filled with anger and frustration at the left’s agenda being thrown in our and our children’s faces so blatantly and aggressively. Whether we are in Pride Month or any other month, we cannot sit back and act as if none of this is our problem. It is our problem. We all have to do our part to resist Pride (the sin and the movement) and reclaim the rainbow by speaking the truth in love.
Suffice it to say, we live in a world where sin is celebrated rather than detested. God’s basic laws of nature are ignored, and the arrogant pride and foolishness of individuals is on display for all to see especially during June. So many people fail to realize how their sins harm everyone in the Body of Christ. Pride Month not only makes a mockery of the dignity of the human person, but it also makes a mockery of God.
Complacency to issues of sin enables others. We need to speak up when necessary, even when it isn’t easy. Many of us fear “rocking the boat” or the possibility of being seen in a negative light. This is especially true in regard to friends and family. Yet, we need to tell the truth about sins including sexual ones.
Sin is Sin
Sin is sin no matter how much a distorted view of “love” is thrown into the mix. Far too often, people would much rather focus on “God loves you” (which is absolutely true) rather than take things a step further by speaking about sin and hell. Newsflash: sin exists and there is a hell. Yes, God absolutely loves us. It is we who push Him away – not the other way around. Loving God means resisting sin.
When we speak up, we show love for God and for our fellow human beings. Actually, of the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy laid forth by the Catholic Church, three of them speak to this. We are asked to:
- Admonish the sinner – give correction to those who need it.
- Instruct the ignorant – share our knowledge with others.
- Counsel the doubtful – give advice to those who need it.
I think it’s important to note that, depending on the situation, our silence can also speak volumes and get a point across just as well as words too. The fact that you are not (for example) wishing someone, “Happy Pride Month,” or wearing a rainbow flag pin can say a lot.
Love can be Both Tolerant and Intolerant
Whether we rebuke others with words or with our silence, we need to remember to approach everyone with love, compassion, kindness, and mercy. I know, I know…there will always be people who label us as “hateful” simply for disagreeing with them. In situations like that, remember that God never promised that following Him would be easy. He also never promised that everyone would agree with us or that He would agree with all of our choices.
In truth, God does not accept everything we do. He does not tolerate sin. Our culture has shoved the idea down our throats that to love means to agree with someone’s choices. The life of Jesus clearly shows us otherwise. While He certainly called us to love others and to show them kindness and mercy, He never called us to tolerance. On more than one occasion during His public ministry, Jesus told people to, “Go and sin no more.” Never did He “tolerate” sin. Jesus was very definite about there being right and wrong. He did not make exceptions or tip-toe around the bush out of fear of offending anyone.
The LGBTQ community preaches “tolerance.” Yet, we have to recognize that love can be both tolerant and intolerant. Love calls us to speak the truth in love. It calls us to seek out and honor what is best for others in terms of their spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. Love for God and for souls should always come first!
We are all called to witness to Christ’s love. This means treating all God’s children with respect, compassion, and dignity, even if they do not award us with the same courtesy. We can show love, kindness, and mercy to our brothers and sisters in Christ even if we don’t agree with them. Our righteous anger is not always a bad thing. Just be sure that it isn’t turning into malice. What sin does to our world is bad. However, every single sinful human being is a son or daughter of God. Each and every person who has ever been created is loved by God.
During this month of June and always, let us speak the truth in love. Our focus should be allowing God to speak through us in order to save the souls of His dear children. Whether we are speaking out against Pride, sexual grooming and abuse, or any other issue, we can ask God for the wisdom to speak the truth (or to remain silent) in love whenever necessary. Let us always strive to help others experience the love and joy of loving God. The love of God is merciful and redemptive, and we can show this to others by speaking the truth in love.
