Some years ago we had the opportunity to tour the beautiful South of Chile for a few times to visit the Salvation Army units and encourage the officers and salvationists from that exquisite region of the country.
During our first visit we managed to take a day off and went to the small city of Frutillar in the margin of the Llanquihue lake. Although the cloudy and rainy day didn’t allow us to see much, we were gifted with a beautiful rainbow. On our second visit however, we went to the same spot, but this time the day was clear and we could see the majestic Osorno volcano on the other side of the lake. What an awesome site!
The rainbow has been taken by the LGBT group (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) as the symbol of their cause. The Bible, however, teaches that the rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant with all living creatures, revealing that He will no longer destroy them with water. Therefore, the rainbow is not the monopoly of a group but the privilege of all.
Beyond the rainbow there is an eternal and sovereign God, full of grace and mercy. He not only promised to preserve us, but because of his immense love for us, he promised to send his son Jesus to die on the cross to promote our reconciliation with him.
It is not up to Christians to impose this or that lifestyle but to share the tremendous privilege that in Christ we can be reconciled with God the Father. It is God’s dwelling in the person’s life that allows it to choose the best way for living. We must exercise our sexuality under God’s values and principles, without expecting that He will approve all our choices.
- What is the real meaning of the rainbow?
- How should we share the rainbow’s message to all?
(God’s rainbow, Genesis 9:12-15 / The Human justice, Isaiah 64:6-8)
Commissioner Torban Eliason is the Territorial Commander of the Southern Africa Territory