Does Love Override Sound Doctrine?

Recently self proclaimed Christian singer Jennifer Knapp declared to the world that she was a lesbian and that she believed this was just fine with God. Knapp, who says she was celibate for 10 years, is now actively involved in a homosexual relationship and sees no problem reconciling her faith and her lifestyle. This is just the latest example of prominent Christian figures coming out and revealing that they are indeed homosexuals or have practiced homosexuality. Last year prominent preacher Ted Haggard and another singer Ray Boltz also revealed their hidden lifestyles to the world. They claim that God accepts them because He loves them. While I do not doubt the depth of God's love, the question we must ask is, is God's love a license to live in sin? Does love override sound doctrine in God's economy?

God's love is limitless. Romans 5:8 tells us "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." But friends we must accept a plain truth of the bible: we are not saved by God's love. Love and mercy may have been the motive for God to send us Jesus, but the bible clearly teaches we are saved "by faith" through God's "grace"(Ephesians 2:8-9). And Paul clearly tells us in Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it." Yet many in Christian circles are abandoning this clear doctrine in favor of a message that "love" can overcome all. They preach a message that basically allows for any type of lifestyle under the cover of love being acceptable, and that we can remain true in our faith while living in sin. This doctrine is a lie.

God puts great emphasis on sound doctrine. In Paul's pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus, Paul continually exhorts the young preachers to remain faithful to sound doctrine. In scriptures such as 1 Timothy 4:6; 5:17, 20; 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:19; 3:10-17; 4:2-4; Titus 1:9-10; 2:1-12, Paul places a clear biblical emphasis on preaching sound doctrine and rebuking false doctrine. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Friends, the Father's will is given to us in the holy bible. The bible calls homosexuality an "abomination," "unnatural," it calls it sin. And according to the bible we must repent from our lifestyles of sin, whatever that sin may be.

Homosexuality is a clear example in our culture of how even those who claim to be Christians have abandoned sound doctrine for a message of love and tolerance. But all sin is faced with a call for repentance from God. This is why this elevation of God's love to a place where we can live as we like, and still be a Christian and saved, is a lie, a "doctrine of demons." Jesus said Satan was a "liar" from the beginning. And Satan is very adept at propagating his lies through people who claim to represent God. The easiest way for Satan to lead someone through the gates of hell is to have them believe doctrine contrary to the bible yet still maintain their forgiveness of sin. Yes, "God is love," but He is also the judge, holy and pure, knowing no sin Himself, and He has promised to judge those who love their sin more than they love Him. That is idolatry, and a sure ticket to hell as those who practice such things will "not inherit the kingdom of God"(1 Cor 6:9-11, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:1-7).

So let me ask you a question. Is approving of and condoning a lifestyle God calls sin, whatever that lifestyle may be, an expression of our showing God's love to others? To quote the bible, "Certainly not!" If we truly "love our neighbor" as ourselves, we will be honest with them concerning their sinful lifestyles. This is not to be done in a condemning fashion, but rather gently, in love and in concern for the persons eternal soul(Gal 6:1). To effectively do this we must have first judged ourselves and repented of our lifestyles of sin so as not to judge another hypocritically(Matthew 7:1-5). But judge we must do! Let us always rejoice in the love of God and the gift of His Son, but let us remain faithful to sound doctrine while doing so. Remember, our love for God is directly exhibited by our obedience to Him(John 14:15, 23). If we are to fulfil the "Greatest Commandment," and love God with all of our "heart," "soul," "mind," and "strength," and love "our neighbor" as ourselves, we must be honest with them about what the bible says. We cannot compromise God's truth in the name of love.