Page 962 … The sin of Circumstance
“There are no verses that describe or let us make excuses for sin because of our personalities, backgrounds or circumstances. But there are many verses that say we are to change and put off sin.”
First of all Lucy, I once again remind you that this entire C. G. Finney sermon is essentially irrelevant – for the clear & important reason that homosexuality itself (along with homosexual relationships, and even homosexual non-sexual intimacy) is not a biblical sin, and thus that Oliver Clyde Allen as such is not sinning!
In addition, this particular passage from that sermon is irrelevant for the simple reason that homosexuality – in the vast majority of cases – develops in the very early, pre-sexual development of those in whom it is born. As such, homosexuality is not a personality trait, homosexuality is not a historical background, and homosexuality has nothing to do with one’s “external circumstances”.
That having been once-again clarified, I do agree that we are all indeed called to “put off sin” in our own lives. And what are the sins that Jesus rejected most heartily, my dear? Allow me to remind you … Jesus wants you & those believing like you to put off your sin of arrogance – as in the way you claim to possess the only correct interpretation of the Scriptures and the only proper way to follow them (see Proverbs 16:5 + Matthew 18:3-4 + Matthew 23:12) … And Jesus wants you & those believing like you to put off your sin of hypocrisy – as in the way you criticize and judge the sins of homosexuals while still actively sinning yourself (see Matthew 7:1-5 + Matthew 23:25-26 + John 8:7) … And Jesus wants you & those believing like you to put off your sin of bigotry – as in the way you single out the sins of homosexual pastors while ignoring or excusing the equally immoral sins of heterosexual reverends & straight preachers (see Proverbs 6:19 + Matthew 5:22 + John 13:34-35 + Luke 6:46 + 1 John 2:4-6).
So please, Lucy, heed the words of Charles G. Finney yourself, my dear. Have the decency to put off your sins towards homosexuals, and the courage to follow The Way of Christ in your dealings with them instead!
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this young child is the greatest in the Kingdom … Be merciful, just as your heavenly Father is merciful. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged; do not condemn them, and you will not be condemned … You judge by human standards; I judge no one … You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me – teaching mere human precepts as though they were doctrines divine.’”~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:3-4 + Luke 6:36-38 + John 8:15 + Matthew 15:8-9)
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