I wrote last week from Deuteronomy 13 on the importance of not being led astray.

If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, “Let us go after other gods,” which you have not known, “and let us serve them,” you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. (Deuteronomy 13.1, 2, ESV)

Moses specifically mentioned family members, and my long-time friend and regular blog reader Laura commented:

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this strong encouragement and TRUTH! One of my best friends (CRU and Navigator background) who spends intimate time with the Lord regularly (Lectios from Ignatius and others) grows more and more liberal. We both have gay children. She excuses it and says because the Bible only mentions it two or three times, that it’s not really a big deal. Reminds me of Satan in the Garden – “Has God REALLY said. . . ?” I love her dearly, but we are agreeing to differ on more and more.

I responded:

It’s amazing that when the children choose the wrong path, especially in this area, the response is not only to love them anyway (which we should do) but also to affirm their choices and change our theology to match (which we should NOT do).

A local Methodist church voted not to leave the liberal United Methodist Church, even though their pastor was a top leader in the conservative Wesleyan Covenant Association which became, essentially, the Global Methodist Church. Why didn’t they vote to leave? Because one of the lay leaders had a gay son, and the leader adjusted her theology to be gay-affirming.

Moses warning is clear (and prophetic!):

If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods,” which neither you nor your fathers have known, some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, you shall not yield to him or listen to him… (Deuteronomy 13.6 – 8, ESV, emphasis mine)

Jesus calls us to love AND truth:

Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4.15, ESV)

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1.17, ESV)