The longer I continue to comment on Robert Bertram's look at the Lutheran Confessions and how I see the way we act toward GLBT saints in the church I know that it may not sound very "devotional." It is my understanding, though, that as we contemplate the faith, we do so devotionally - with reflection and contemplation on words and actions. So let's go again.
What God still does command, however, and what even in his New Covenant is never optional is what he has commanded through his "Word of God," through the historical Jesus Christ, namely, "the fresh teaching of the holy Good News." That "teaching and all that pertains to it, according to the Word of God," that teaching of the Good News "in all its articulations, including "the right use of the sacraments," depends for its very truth - for how truly good its news is - on how truly it is spoken, yes, but also on how truly it is acted out in churchly praxis.
That is why Paul, who ordinarily could take or leave circumcision, made a point of acting out publicly his refusal to circumcise Titus, all for "the truth of the gospel." For "the false apostles...wanted to impose such things on consciences as necessary" (Gal. 2:4,5). When something so doctrinally neutral as an adiaphoron changes, as it often has, from being the gospel's servant to being the gospel's partner to being the gospel rival to being the gospel's undoing, just when in that subtle shift does the reversal occur? Answer: when this adiaphoron assumes the importance of being "necessary."
Long quote...but I wanted to get to this last sentence. One's sexuality has become a "necessary" concern in the church and it has nothing to do with the gospel. I say that with the conviction that ones sexuality is a part of one's very being. Anyone of us can abuse who we are as sexual people. That, I would suggest, is what we must focus on when looking at the responsibilities we give to people in the church. If one is straight or gay, we are each held to the same standard. When two people choose to be committed to one another because they are attracted to each other and love one another, they are called into a blessed relationship that is to reflect the character of the Reign of God. The fact that a person is gay and in a relationship that reflects this character we are blessed as a church when that person is also called into the ordained ministry. To say his/her same-gender commitment and love precludes this person from serving is like placing something extra on their heads and claiming it has to be with the gospel. It has nothing to do with the gospel. It is something that we do not need to place as a necessary part of our life together. It is...I think...adiaphora - a discretionary church practice that we have - for whatever the reasons - made a necessary part of the life of the church.
Connection: We are always a people who are invited into the graciousness of God's Reign as was made know in Jesus and continues to be made known through the witness of those who follow Jesus. I find that this grace - when placed before all else - has a tendency to alter the way the day moves along its way for us.
Be our light and our way, O God, for we wander here and there and are often unwilling to stop and rest in this light of your Reign. Amen.
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