Why Yours and Not Mine?

This past Monday NBA player, Jason Collins, announced that he is gay. He is the first publicly gay person in American professional sports. After his announcement there has been much talk about what this means for basketball, will his peers accept him and many other questions of that nature.

Tuesday,  Chris Broussard, an ESPN analyst/commentator, was asked a question regarding a statement Jason Collins made in his Sports Illustrated interview, that has cause fireworks amongst many people. 

Broussard was asked his opinion about Jason Collins stating he is a Christian. Broussard answer honestly. 

      "Personally, I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals, if you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that’s a sin. If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian.”

Broussard has received serious backlash for stating his beliefs. He is being called intolerant. He's not intolerant. He never said that he hated homosexuals, he stated that in the eyes of God that lifestyle is a sin. That is not stopping him from showing love and respect. When you're in a relationship with Jesus Christ you learn to love the sinner and hate the sin. There is a BIG difference.

Those who are angrily shouted "You're Intolerant!" are intolerant themselves. You can disagree with him sure, but people have been taking it a step further and calling him a bigot. So I pose the question, "Why is your opinion acceptable and not mine?" 

I support Broussard boldness in sharing his faith and the absolute truths that he mentioned. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. His love story for us. It's here to guide us and lead us to Him.

Others accused Broussard of living in the Old Testament. That's not the only place we're told homosexuality is a sin. We find the same message in  Romans 1:26-27:

   "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

But God doesn't just cast them away. Consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:

"Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

God loves His creation. He chases after everyone. To Him sin is sin. Sex outside of marriage, gay or straight, is sin. Lying is sin. Envy is sin. We as imperfect humans give it a degree. Not God. It doesn't make a difference what you do or did. In His eyes we are all the same. Beloved children lost in a world of sin. That's why Jesus died and rose again! Christ provides the bridge to God.

As you can see in the verses above, what Broussard said was true, anyone who sins is "walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ." He wasn't making judgments, he was stating facts. 


 I'm encourage to see Chris Broussard firmness in his relationship with Jesus. He spoke the truth according to the Scriptures. Though he may be receiving ridicule and persecution, the Lord will bless him for his faithfulness.