This ties very closely into the love-is-love discussion and another one about what hatred actually is. The premise we are expected to buy here is that this child was hatched in a particular state and we dare not discourage that behavior.
The premise is faulty. We discourage behaviors in children constantly. “Don’t pee on the neighbor’s porch.” “Don’t touch that hot stove.” “Cough into your elbow.” “Please be quiet while Ms. Isolde is talking.”
We are born with an inclination to sin in general. And, we are each susceptible to particular sins more than others. I don’t have to go into great detail here. We know who we are and what we do.
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” [Psalm 51:5]
Baptized into Christ, we live a life in conflict with sin. While our corrupted nature is inclined to sin, the new person of faith in Christ fights against them. That’s why we bother to instruct young and old in righteousness, because the faithful Christian in you does want to be good.
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
[Romans 6:1-2]
The premise, Johnny was born gay, falls apart when sin substitution is done. If the premise is true, then every sinful inclination must also be good.
If Suzie had an internal inclination to be irrationally defiant to authority, we wouldn’t allow or encourage that. 4th commandment, you shall obey authorities that it may be well with you and you may live long upon the earth.
If Bobby had an inclination to steal every shiny thing he saw, we wouldn’t allow or encourage that. 7th commandment, stealing is a sin and you’ll wind up in jail.
There’s also a more hyperbolic, but not impossible example. If Helmut had an inclination to torturing and dismembering the neighbors’ pets,
We
Would
Be
Horrified.
And, rightly so. That’s a serial killer in the making. 5th Commandment, you shall not murder. That kid is a serial killer on the way.
The problem we’re having here comes from the love-is-love argument. In society, we stratify sin into categories of severity and deal out punishments appropriately. That’s a coram mundo (before man) understanding. Coram Deo (before God), all sin is equally damning.
Loving parents cannot encourage their children in sin. That’s a 4th commandment responsibility parents have to their children. They are to obey, you are to instruct in righteousness. God wants us to turn from sin. God turns us from sin.
“Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” [Psalm 51:6]
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” [Romans 6:3-4]
Turn from your sin, dear Christians,
Jesus has set you free from it.
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX
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