Matt Walsh is a blogger who is a self proclaimed Christian. His audience is quite large. Millions read his blog. What I like about his blog is that he gets a conversation going. What I don't like about it, is that often, if not always, it is lacking in any sense of love or grace. Once in awhile someone will call him out, and challenge the way he approaches controversial topics. I have myself. I have left comments too and sat with my jaw to the ground and my heart hurting, to read some of the responses his followers give. Sadly, many of them claim to be Christian.
In a recent blog he discusses a very disturbing story about a man who was once married, had 7 kids, and then proceeded to leave his wife and children. This man who once went by Paul, decided to start dressing and acting as a 6 year girl. He found adoptive "parents", and started having sexual relations with his "Father".
This story more then makes me cringe. It is a truly disturbing story. Even in the transgender/ homosexual world, there are many who disapprove of this kind of behavior. So what does that mean about our response as Christians?
I am going to be very frank here. Jesus loves this man. Yes, he does. I read through many comments on Matt Walsh's blog. This is what I saw. People calling this man a "coward", "retard", "sick", "disgusting", "mentally ill", and so on.
Some of these people do not take a stance as Christians, but some of them did identify as such. Whatever the motive may be, the message was not at all delivered with even a sliver of compassion. I scrolled through hundreds of comments, and I have yet to see anyone say anything about God's amazing love, even for those we may consider to be beyond it.
Christianity means following after the character and spirit of Jesus. Jesus came for the unrighteous and those that were sick, those who were weak, the poor , and the outcast of society. The only record of Jesus ever getting extremely angry is when he turned over the tables in the temple. People making a profit off of God, doesn't sit well with the one they claim to follow.
Jesus also had a problem with the Pharisees. They were the best dressed, richest, most knowledgeable, and self proclaimed righteous people of his day. Sadly, this is how a lot of people view Christians. Not as humble, kind, compassionate folks- but as judges.
Why is it that mega churches, or huge religions and sects have so much money, but they never talk about the unrighteousness of it? They can easily point at the world and pick on everyone else's sin, yet ignore their own. It's very easy for them to tear another human being apart, but what business do we have to judge someone, who isn't even professing to be Christian? Is this being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world? I think the "church" needs a reminder from the Bible.
"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges". 1 Corinthians 5:2
We need to extend love and compassion to all people! The lowest, most disgusting, most abominable person in our own eyes, might be looked at totally different by God. Sometimes that person, is us. That person we couldn't even imagine loving? Guess what, they need God's love. So do we. They need God's grace, and forgiveness, every day. So do we. We aren't exempt from needing God's grace just because we are 'saved". We need saved everyday, from our own selves.
There's a temptation as times are changing, to respond with fear and anger. To come out loudly condemning everyone we disagree with. while sounding hateful or judging with harshness. I think this kind of response is worse then saying nothing at all. Speaking the truth in love means having empathy and kindness while doing so, not tearing another human being apart.
Something that strikes me about Jesus is that he always got personal with people, he always took the time to talk with them. He did not shame them, but he did not ignore their sin either. Remember what he said when they gathered to stone the adulteress ? "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone".
There's a way to love people without condoning the sin.
Think of King David- a murderer and an adulteress. Noah got drunk. Paul killed Christians before he literally saw the light. Rahab was a prostitute. Mary was an un-wed teenager that became pregnant with the Divine. How do you think she got around explaining that one two thousand years ago? Matthew was a tax collector.
But God loved them, and He loves every one.
If Matt Walsh and his loyal followers are so concerned about this mans soul, they would do better to close their mouths and pray for him, then condemn him and tear him apart publicly.
When Jesus hung on the cross these were a part of His very last words "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". Think about that.
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