Does Jesus welcome sin into the church?
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America used to believe that homosexual behavior is contrary to the will of God. That all changed in 2009 when the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexualsat a convention that was, ironically, hit by a tornado. Today many ELCA congregations celebrate homosexuality, and this month ELCA head bishop Elizabeth Eaton appeared in a gay pride video to celebrate Pride Month. Westwood Lutheran is an ELCA congregation in the Twin Cities area. It is the devil's job to take something ugly and make it look pretty, and the below video is very apropos. Listen to Westwood's "amazing welcome that comes from God": "We are called to be ourselves...including sexuality...God gives unconditional welcome to all people...This includes people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and relationship status". I personally have struggled with same sex attraction most of my life, and I am grateful that Jesus welcomes people who struggle with all kinds of sin. To repentance from sin and new life in Him. But you will hear no mention of repentance in the video because what was once sinful, no longer is. Now sexual sin is something to be celebrated. It is not spelled out, but I am guessing that Westwood has no problem welcoming heterosexual couples who are living in fornication. No. He welcomes sinners who come to Him in repentance and faith. On the Last Day Jesus Himself will say "Depart from me" to the unrepentant (Matthew 7:22-23). Jesus taught that we should expel the impenitent person from the Church (Matthew 18:15-17) and the Apostle Paul taught the same (I Corinthians 5:13). It is not loving to welcome people to continue to live a life of sin. Sin will ultimately eternally separate them from God (I Corinthians 6:9-11). I hope you attend a good Biblical church which welcomes all kinds of sinners, but one which also welcomes them to repentance from sin, and to faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.