When Is It Right to Apologize for God’s Word? NEVER!
Be Strong, Be Well — Sunday, February 14, 2021
Former Church of Christ minister, now megachurch “pastor” and best-selling author, Max Lucado, was invited to be a guest speaker at the Washington National Cathedral last Sunday, February 7. There was a growing backlash from the LGBTQ community, both before and after he spoke. This was in reference to a sermon Lucado preached back in 2004, where he condemned the sin of homosexuality. He compared same-sex marriage to legalized polygamy, bestiality and incest. Lucado also suggested homosexuality can be changed by “pastoral care.”
The truth be told, Max was right on the mark and preached the truth back then. God punished homosexual practices in Abraham’s day (Genesis 19). The Law of Moses condemned homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22-24). From the beginning, marriage was between a man and a woman (Mark 10:6-9). These truths carried over into the New Testament Christian law (Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Timothy 1:9, 10). There is also spiritual help through the scriptures in overcoming any and all sin.
“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. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
Instead of continuing to preach the truth on this volatile topic, Mr. Lucado caved to the pressure and apologized to the LGBTQ community. His apology came the day after a spokesman for the National Cathedral issued an apology for inviting Lucado to preach.
In his apology, Mr. Lucado said, “I now see that, in that sermon, I was disrespectful. I was hurtful. I wounded people in ways that were devastating.” It grieves me that my words have hurt or been used to hurt the LGBTQ community. I apologize to you and I ask forgiveness of Christ.”
We can confidently say, Jesus Christ will not forgive him for laying sin upon sin. First, endorsing homosexuality, and then by apologizing for preaching the truth on the subject.
Lucado’s apology letter continued to say, “Faithful people may disagree about what the Bible says about homosexuality, but we agree that God’s holy Word must never be used as a weapon to wound others.”
God’s holy Word tells us we should always preach the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We have just as much love and concern for a homosexual as we do a thief or a liar. We must hate the sin, but love the sinner. The only weapon involved here, is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). God’s message, His sword, has the power to cut into the conscience and lay our sins open before us, showing us the need to repent.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
It’s a shame Max gave up the fight and laid down God’s sword. Pray for him. Perhaps he will see his way to repentance and be forgiven. —Chris