Does it Really Matter if Michael Sam is Gay? (by Sr. Pastor Louis Rosenthal)
Does it Really Matter if Michael Sam is Gay?
One would have to have had their heads in the sand if they have not at least heard about the first openly gay NFL Draft Prospect – Michael Ward – Co-SEC Defensive Prayer of the Year who played college football at Missouri. Hollywood, many former and present day athletes, and even First Lady – Michelle Obama tweeted and commented on social media how proud they are of Michael’s courageous statement of fact about his life. The underlying theme from those who support his lifestyle is “it does not matter if Michael Sam is gay.” Many came out and bashed the Christian community (the community that believes the Bible is STILL the standard for living and what the Bible says about an issue is the final authority. We are a community who believe Jesus the Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father, except through Jesus). So does it really matter if Michael Sam is gay – absolutely it does.
Now, next to faith in Jesus the Christ for salvation, Biblical love is the supreme mark of the Christian and it is mandatory for every Christian to grow in love. Our heavenly Father is well pleased when His children love each other and how we love one another affirms to the world we are Jesus’ disciples for Jesus said in John 13:35, “…By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” So in love, we must say it matters if Michael Sam is gay because his eternality lies in the balance. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” If Michael Sam goes on to be the best linebacker to ever play professional football and dies without Jesus his Lord and Savior, Michael Sam like every other person who does not know Jesus the Christ as their Lord and Savior, will spend eternity in hell. In love, the Christian community must share with Michael Sam and all others it matters if he is gay because it is a lifestyle the Bible declares will lead to one not experiencing eternal life. Now, homosexuality is not the only sin that leads to one being eternally separated from God – it is a sin that is seemingly in the headlines the most and the one that Michael Ward is publically confessing he is proud to be. No one is perfect for Christian’s sin daily; but there is a power in Christians (the Holy Spirit) that convicts us of sin and we confess and repent of doing it. We don’t publically say we are proud to break God’s heart by practicing a lifestyle He clearly states is sin.
The Church must be a welcoming and loving environment for those who are practicing sinners. We must love the person but, we must not accept the sin. Christians who have some type of sphere of influence with Michael Sam and anyone else who has not accepted Jesus the Christ as their Lord and Savior must pray and ask God for divine appointments to share Christ with the unsaved. Yes, it matters if Michael Sam is gay – it matters because eternality lies in the balance.
To God be the Glory,
Pastor Louis Rosenthal