God is love, and we are to love one another unconditionally. The exclusive affection we give to others, of whatever sex, is more in the lust category and is biblically sin outside of marriage. But let's remember that this sin is no greater or lesser than gossip, lying or murder.

For heterosexual Christians, gays are easy targets. At least we can say we aren't committing THAT sin, so we aren't hypocrites for condeming them. But that's not the gospel. We are all sinners and will not stop in our own strength. We must invite Jesus to live within us and change us into His image.

For me, part of that has been removing alcoholism, obsessions with pornography and a general selfishness. It is not what I have done, but what Christ has done in me.

We can only extend to others the love we have received from Christ. Many so-called Christians have not received it because they are caught up in rituals and deep down fear of their own demons.

I encourage anyone in sin, no matter what it is, to surrender their flesh to Christ. There is no getting around the admonition that we are to die to ourselves, so none of us should be putting it off or straining to see around the planks in our own eyes to the sins of others.

God bless

Al