Pride Month

Rainbow tinted profile pictures, rainbow light displays, the pride flag on nearly every staff—reminders about what month we’re in greet us at every turn. Pride Month has grown from a recessed community recognition to an international celebration. 

We can no longer ignore what’s going on “out there” in the world, because now the world is barging into the community of believers, demanding full acceptance (or else). Followers of Jesus must reckon with the LGBTQIA+ community — the agendas and the people. Especially the people. But we need to remind ourselves of what the apostle Peter wrote to the first century Christians who lived in a world generally annoyed and angered by them:

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:14-15).

Sometimes what we feel about this celebration of sin looks like “righteous indignation” and maybe zeal. But as truth takes hit after hit after hit, we need to draw some hard lines in the proverbial sand, stand up for what’s righteous, and speak for the truth. Yet, in a society fueled by outrage about nearly everything, I want to propose that while indignation may have its place, our first response should very likely be a broken (and therefore compassionate) heart.

Remembering My Sinfulness

Allow me to ask: What’s the worst sin in the Bible? 

There’s only one sin that Jesus said was unpardonable, unforgivable — the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:22-32). This is the section just before Jesus’ statement about us being judged for every idle word we may say (vv. 33-37).

Outside of this sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit I would believe it right to say that any sin will destroy our perfect relationship with God, separating (even eternally) from God. 

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23)

Daniel serves well as a cautionary story — he was captured as a teen, and he lived almost his entire earthly life in Babylon; nearly 70 years in captivity. One day while he was reading and thinking about the prophecies of Jeremiah, he realized that the time of exile was nearly done. He knew why his people had been punished by Babylon in the first place, and in his prayer, he said: “Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the LORD our God by following his instructions that he set before us through his servants the prophets.” (Dan 9:9-10)

We might wonder what sin Daniel was guilty of because there’s nothing in the biblical record that tells us, but he, like all of us, certainly was a sinner (Rom 3:10, 23; Gal 3:22). My point is that in his prayer he includes himself by saying “we” and “us.”

If we have any integrity, Pride Month could probably be called “Self-Righteousness” month for us all. Like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable (Lk 18:9-14), we are prone to thank God that we’re not like “them,” as if we’re a better class of sinner.

This month we all need to remember that every sin, including self-righteousness, is only forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God and our mediator (John 14:6; Rom 6:1-7; Gal 3:26-29, 1 Tim 2:5). As Isaiah reminds us all: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

It might seem easy to condemn others this month, but if we’re looking in the mirror of God’s word (James 1:19-25), then we will see our own hideousness. We all need to see the ugliness of our own sins and busy ourselves working on ourselves (Philippians 2:12-13).

We All Need Jesus' Compassion

The one big thing it seems the Pharisees lacked was compassion. In Mark 3:1-6 we have an example of just how hard-hearted they were against others who were not them. In this case, there was a man with a withered hand: 

Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. (vv. 4-5)

In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells them a parable — and we’re informed by the Holy Spirit that “He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” (v. 9) He could well be telling that parable to us all.

I often think of Jesus walking among us, among mankind. I realize we may feel that things in the 21st century are much worse than they were in the 1st, but we’d be wrong with that assessment. Mankind is chock full of sinners (Rom 3:23). Our sins today are like all the sins of yesterday. And they are despicable.

And yet Jesus didn’t walk around sneering at people and mocking them. That’s essentially what the Pharisees seemed to do:

But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues . . . But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. . . . But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. (Matt 23:5-6, 11-13)

Do we weep over our own sins? We may feel justified being angry about the sins of others — again, it being Pride Month — but are we moved to tears?

Sin destroys lives — think about the first sin of Adam against all of mankind (Gen 3; Rom 5). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

We should be moved to pray for others — “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt 5:43-45)

We also need to pray to God to help us when we’re talking to others. “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). “Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride” (1 Cor 13:4).

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col 4:5-6)

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:14-15)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

We are not judges, we are sinners — “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom 5:6)

Stuck Going Through the Motions

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 

Titus 2:11–14

Going through the motions is only going to get us so far.

But for many of us, going through the motions is what we know, what we’re comfortable with. The problem is that we may not feel invested.

There’s a big difference the bacon and eggs—not just because of the different animals they come from, but how they come. Pigs give their lives. God doesn’t just want us to go through the motions—he wants our hearts and minds.

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:35–38)

What Jesus said then applies to us today.

When we sing, we can get caught going through the motions. It’s not about “sounding nice,” it’s about the most important instrument we all have—the heart.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

Singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord is going to manifest itself to others. Just think about it.

And when we pray together—we can definitely get caught going through the motions by not even paying attention. It’s about focusing on what is being said. I realize this can be challenging because with our eyes closed our minds may wander. So put in the effort to focus.

And when we consider the word of God together in a sermon—participate as much as you can by thinking through the things being presented. Many of my sermons are full of scripture reading. I do this on purpose because I want all of us to be presented with God’s way of thinking: his words, his mind.

Zeal means we really want to please our Lord and Savior in doing the things He has commanded us—not with a complaining heart, or a divided heart—distracted by thinking about all the things we feel we might be missing out on. If God showed us the zeal we show Him, where would we be?

Even in our giving, Paul urges us—

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

When Our Love Grows Weak

People are the worst.

There’s really no need ever for us to debate this because it’s true. I know there are times that it may seem worse than others, but it is always true that people are the worst. You don’t even have to wait for the headlines—people advertise against themselves and their disgusting thinking and activities on their own as they seek “likes” on TikTok and Instagram reels. There doesn’t seem to really be a depth to which people will go and then stop. They dig down into morally murky depths just a little further (if not a lot further).

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12–13)

But in all this I am reminded of God’s longsuffering toward us all. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. . . . And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:9, 15). And every single day I am thankful God is longsuffering toward me. All this to say that we’re all sinful to the Lord: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5; also read Isaiah 64:6) 

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:44–45, 48)

The Daily Battle to Trust

 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7–8

For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

2 Peter 2:19

Many people trust their feelings above all else. Or they may trust their bank account. Or their health. But we know that all these are temporal and can change in the blink of an eye.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. . . . For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 4:16–18; 5:4–5)

God wants us to trust Him, and to trust Him completely (Psalm 33:21; Proverbs 3:5). “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:36–37)

Ultimately, the benefit is our if we trust God who commands, and obey Him:

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:7–10)

Again, it’s not a matter of merely keeping commands, although God’s commands are not burdensome nor grievous (1 John 5:2–3). God’s commands are for us to be transformed for the better (Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 4:22–24). God’s commands bring us eternal life and, furthermore, profit us in the here and now, preparing us for eternity (1 Timothy 4:7–8; Ecclesiastes 12:13–14; Romans 8:18).

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7–11)

The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalm 119:160)

Do we really trust God? Whether we actually do or not, it will show in how we choose to live (1 Timothy 5:24–25). “The one who conducts himself in integrity will live securely, but the one who behaves perversely will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9 NET)

Satan is never going to give up on us—he’s always coming after us. This is why we are to be watchful in everything (Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8). This can be exhausting if we try to do this on our own. We need help, we need divine intervention:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. . . . And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26, 28)

One very important way that we show trust in God is in praying to Him: 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Do we believe God will help us through difficult times? Do we believe that God will not forget us? For some, the answers to these questions may change daily. 

Even Jesus is said to put His trust in God (Hebrews 2:13).

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14)