ALL SINS ARE EQUAL

In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus remarks about the miracles were done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and, yet they did not believe.  Had the same miracles been done in cities which are known for their sinfulness, Tire, Sidon and Sodom, they would have repented.  Jesus comments that Bethsaida and Co. will not receive reward because they ignored the miracles performed in them.  As he walks, he says he reveals the father to the “children” whom he chooses.

A main point of the scripture is to show mercies were extended to a few amongst a people, though outwardly righteous, refused to repent and accept the Lord.  This account is to stress that some sinners will repent whereas the self-righteous will not.  Jesus chooses who he will be saved, and they are the ones that choose to walk with him.

The use of the city Sodom as in illustration (Gen 19) shows that God does not exclude the sodomite, the homosexual, from mercy and Salvation.  Had the city repented it would not have been destroyed.  That sodomy is a sin hateful to God is clearly defined by scripture - - the destruction of the city of Sodom being a good example.  But we must remember sodomy is a sin among an array of sins.  All unrepentant sinners: sodomites, adulterous, thieves, murderers, liars and thieves alike will be burn in hell's fire. 

And God wants ALL sinners to repent and come as children - - to take his yoke upon them.  The adulterer and sodomite and gossiper must control their tendency toward sin.  For the not-yet-saved it is especially important to come “as they are”.  In fact, they must be as children, at the most basic entry level.  Jesus wants them that way.  They should not be put off by the existence of “religious” people.  Everyone has a starting point and a way to travel yet.

BRINGING THEM OUTDOORS

Jesus speaking to his disciples in Mat 10:27 says:  "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light".   Maybe today when God speaks to you “in the dark” he refers to the Spirit speaking to you.  Or, you think, is it only you getting an impression in your mind?  You wonder, “is this God speaking to me, or is it just my own mind that is coming up with this?”  Is it God “whispering in your ear” via a recollection of an idea you got out of private study of God's word? 

In any case, it can help to make these things public.  Sometimes others can help us know whether something is from God.  Maybe someone can help us get a better understanding of what we heard.  Maybe someone has a caution about what we heard and can back it up with a Scripture reference.  Anything truly beneficial God tells us should be told to others 

In any case, we know it must conform to God's word.  We cannot change the meaning of God's commandments for our own convenience as did the Pharisees when they said, “It is corban [a gift to God] by whatsoever you may be profited by me.”  Instead of giving a gift for the intent of making another’s life easier, they were using this act as a bribe to God to make themselves appear somehow pious. 

What was happening with the disciples in private would indeed be made public.  For example:  the Last Supper, the Mount of transfiguration, the fishing scene of John 21, Peter's betrayal, the widow’s two mites.  “There is nothing hidden that will not be made known” demonstrates that God is open and upfront.