Ray Boltz: Remember the Anchor
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
I was sad today as I learned that a man of God, Ray Boltz, announced that he was gay. (Christianity Today) He divorced his wife and is now living his life as a gay man. I am sad because one of God’s children has been struggling and beat up and did not find repentance and restoration within the community of believers of which he was a part.
Shortly after ‘sad’ I came to MAD as I read more and more comments from Christians who were quick to quote all those condemning Scriptures about sinners. Like this one:
“…if he refuses to listen…treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:17 (NIV)
Wait! Jesus ate dinner and taught the pagans! Made a disciple out of a tax collector! Guess we righteous Christians shouldn’t boot the sinner too far out of the church!
OK. Before anyone quotes it, I know Paul said to expel the immoral person! (1 Corinthians 5) My response would be that I will follow Jesus’ directive FIRST and take Paul’s flip side – under advisement to a given situation!
No, I am not gay. I am a sinner. I have been known to gossip. I have been hurtful and unkind to those weaker than me. Jesus took a very hard look at those of us who hurt the ‘least’ among us. I have a holy fear when I read that first Scripture I quoted from Jesus’ words in Matthew 7!
Please – over these next days, weeks, months – could we pray for our brother, Ray? Pray for his wife and children. May they all remember that the Anchor – Jesus Christ – does hold even when the ship is battered.
