But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV)
A refusal to condone is not the same as an insistence to condemn. The Christian life, from the first moments of repentance and initial steps of faith, is a story of change. This journey leads us through a path where there is transformation and the developing of virtues which, through our death to self and resurrection with Christ, are exercised and improved upon in our lives.
But there has to be an intentionality in this. There has to be a self- conscious humbling of self towards service and obedience to our heavenly Father. It does not take place automatically. It has to be deliberate and determined.
This is why Christians, while not condemning those involved in same-sex relationships, should not condone same-sex relationships. As much as addiction to drink or drugs, or gluttony that leads to obesity, it is not a healthy activity. We are not to lead others into sin, or encourage sin in their lives.
All of us are called on the journey or transformation and change. All of us are called to repent and be renewed. We are not to place others under condemnation. But neither are we to condone that which is patently named as wrong in the sight of God.
