I was NOT active in sex with others but since the church ’suspected’ that I came from gay background, that was enough. I was ostracized, whispered about, made the butt of jokes etc. In the past few months I have been accused of trying to seduce a brother IN the Church building, in an office that any one could have walked in at any moment (I don’t have an office there).The church, in general, SAYS and BELIEVES that the blood of Messiah are enough to forgive ANY sin, but certain sins require additional ‘penance’.i.e., the blood of Yeshua ISN’T enough in actuality. I have heard that homosexuality is THE sin that G-d DOESN’T forgive. Is that scriptural?

My ancestors came from Spain and suffered in the Catholic Spanish Inquisition. Those misguided inquisitors thought they were doing G-d’s work and had the Almighty’s approval. Jews who had lapsed into Judaism (although they were forced ‘conversions’ under threat of torture and death; at times the ‘conversion’ consisted of a priest going into a synagogue and sprinkling the attendees with holy water) or suspected of it were forced to wear a garment called the SAMBENITO (these were those that weren’t tortured and torched in ‘autos da fe’). The SAMBENITO marked a Jew and subjected him/her to ridicule and other unfavorable sanctions. Today in Spain many of these garments of shame are still displayed in some churches and the descendants of the original wearers are still suspected of being Jews even though they have accepted teachings of the Catholic church. These descendants have to more than prove themselves that they are Super Catholics.

“Ah,” you say,”that happened in the Catholic church!” What I experienced was not in the Catholic church but in Baptist church and evangelical churches but I was still forced to wear the invisible SAMBENITO of SSA. The Spanish Inquisition is still alive and well in Baptist and evangelical churches. In theory the blood of Yeshua is enough to cleanse ALL sin but in practice, many NON Catholic churches really don’t believe that and require ‘penance’ (and yet they still bash and find fault with the Catholic Church) for works. I have forgiven them as they are responsible for not really believing the Word and accountable to G-d and not accountable to me.

It seems that some believe that they will sit along with the Father and offer advice to Him at the bima judgement and have tons of stones to cast first; Bro. Lloyd and Sister Myrtle will give advice to the Father before He makes His declaration. The Father wouldn’t be able to make decisions without their input…so they think and act.

The backstabbing and damning whispers made me doubt my faith in the Messiah (in most circles of Judaism, it,SSA, is not a big deal but that is another subject). It destroyed my faith and my hope for years. I returned like the prodigal son and the Father just required a broken heart and a return. The older brother required and demanded more.

“Abba, forgive them for they know not what they do….or maybe they do!” I am still attending that congregation. I will not run this time although at times I have felt like it.

I just wanted to clarify that your questions are for Yoav and not for me, correct? I would certainly be interested in hearing you address his issues if he is able to respond to your questions. My thoughts are that the church’s response should be based on whether there is true confession and demonstrated repentance, and that, as sexual brokenness of any kind is often a very deep-rooted habitual sin that repentance may not manifest itself in an overnight “cure”, but should certainly be demonstrated through a consistent working out and walking away. If Yoav is referring to a “background,” as opposed to a current lifestyle, then forgiveness would certainly come into play, I would think.

Thom
.-= Thom Hunter´s last blog ..Freedom for Strange Ducks =-.

I can tell you’ve had a tough time of it and I’m really sorry for the loss of your marriage and your difficulty in finding confidential accountability. I pray that there is someone in your life now who can help you in your desire to remain repentant and to find restoration and freedom. Your story demonstrates what a toll habitual sin takes on a person’s life if it is not dealt with and if others do not come alongside to help us maintain sobriety. Accountability is vital in a successful journey. I believe more men and women are stepping up these days.

God Bless you Yoav,

Thom
.-= Thom Hunter´s last blog ..Freedom for Strange Ducks =-.

Are we are brother’s keeper or not? there are brothers and sisters, ministers, leaders who are drwoning because instead of restoring, we are too eager to cast the first stone.

“…and such were some of you..”

Thank you for the encouragement and for calling me “brother.” I do believe that my confession, repentance and dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit will indeed complete this battle. The grip of homosexuality has destroyed the lives of so many. I believe our present cultural embrace of it actually should, in some ways, make it easier for the church to recognize and resist the urge to just “let it be.” We have the opportunity to draw some distinct battle lines in this cultural war and lead members of the flock to freedom.

Thom
.-= Thom Hunter´s last blog ..His View from my Window =-.