Leaders' opinions

Leaders of organisations are regularly polled regarding their opinions on matters of public interest. The questions posed to them are often of the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" kind. Jesus was peppered with these types of questions. Christians should therefore not regard such interviews as something strange.

Thirty years ago pastors of churches were pressured into answering questions such as: "Is it sinful to dance, smoke, gamble or enjoy alcohol in measure?" There were those who answered in the affirmative and went further to add wearing lipstick or "slacks" or going to the cinema to the list of things a Christian should avoid. There were also some who left the decision to the individual and trusted the Holy Spirit to convict believers of what was sinful.

In those days some questions were much easier to answer with the backing of the Bible. Abortions and same sex unions were forbidden by law and God requires us to abide by the law of the land, provided that the law does not clash with our Christian convictions. And no Christian leader had the conviction that abortions or same sex marriages should be encouraged.

This does not mean that all Christian leaders were in favour of legislation which outlawed abortions or homosexual unions. Some asked: "Who are we to impose our morality on a whole nation?" Anyone reasoning with a clear mind should come to the conclusion that life starts at conception. Moses and Jesus and their followers were also quite adamant about God's plan for sexual intercourse. He sanctions only monogamous heterosexual marriage relationships.

From the questions posed to Jesus pastors can learn that it is OK to be evasive. There is also the likely possibility that the Holy Spirit will aid them in their answers when put on the spot. To embarrass and marginalise Christians is on satan's agenda. The Good News to the world is not embodied a list of do's and don'ts. The process of growing as a believer includes recognising what is morally right and wrong.