Reply #105: Barb, I think that's a very good question.

[RevCheesehead]

And I think "emulate" says it best of all.

I believe what is missing in the above debate is a better understanding of "sin" and "sinner."

First, let me define the parameters: Jesus summarized the content or meaning of the commandments by saying it's about loving God, and loving your neighbor. If you truly love, you will behave in this way. For this reason, I define "sin" as a failure to love: a failure to love God or one's neighbor. When I say "Jesus died for our sins," I am really saying "Jesus died for our failure to love. AND, he rose to new life, so that I may be able to love others."

A Christian should know, understand, and believe in their heart that s/he IS a sinner. I sin. Everyone sins. Even the Pope sinned. That is a basic tenet of Christian theology, that ALL have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God (with the exception of Jesus).

Too many people equate forgiveness as some kind of act of moral superiority. This is wrong. For someone to realize that they are "The Forgiven," it should instill compassion and mercy. Once someone has that clear (about how they have been forgiven over and over), then they should with mercy, forgive others who harm them.

Forgiveness does not mean the acceptance of abuse. But what forgiveness does do is free our own hearts from hate. I forgive, not because I accept what has happened to me, but because I do not want hate to rule my heart.

I would also hasten to add that for someone to call someone else a "sinner" is perjorative and arrogant, and it does not emulate the teachings of Christ. Remember the woman caught in adultery? Jesus says to her (after the incident), "where are your accusers? Does no one condemn you? Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more." Jesus did not condemn the woman, and did not specifically call her a sinner. We Christians forget that part.

Clearly, adultery is a sin (see the Top 10 Commandments). But I do not agree that homosexuality is a sin.