If not, why not? For some it is pride. For others, it is fear of a life that is diminished, a life that is bound up in rules. These arguments are so far from the truth! Jesus came that we might have "Abundant life!" Life upon life upon life! Everlasting life! The "rules" people see as constricting are not even a thing for one who is in relationship with Jesus. He is our friend. He is our brother. We want to live to please him, and it is not a burden to live a joyous life!
Living for Jesus gives meaning to all things. Nothing is wasted. He doesn't want to make you less, he plans on making you more you than you know is possible.
It is true that the kind of lifestyles promoted in media and society today across the globe (big time in our country) are not Christian lifestyles. When we make a choice, we naturally exclude other things. If I choose to eat an apple rather than a sandwich, I said no to the sandwich.
When we choose a way of life we are saying no to other lifestyles. When I chose to marry my husband, that was a choice to be bound to one extraordinary man and no other.
The Bible is not hate speech. God is love. And in love he puts boundaries up for our own good. He only wants the best for us.
Be courageous. Choose rightly. Be brave and go against the crowd. Be bold and speak truth. Be strong and choose to love Jesus and people no matter what others say or think. You are worth this. Jesus says you are.
May 2023 be a year of illumination for all of us as all things and situations can show us Jesus! Oh Lord, open our eyes to you!