EDMOND — People rarely investigate controversial issues that do not directly impact their lives. Therefore, at first glance, it is easy to dismiss news headlines as someone else’s problem. However, in this case, passivity could blindside us if we refuse to take a stand. The lyrics of the Lee Greenwood song, “you’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything” were meant for these times.

I’m talking about an organization known as Soulforce. It is taking the homosexual issue to the next level; hoping Christians and non-Christians alike will not notice a tweaking of the Bible to fit its agenda.

For those readers unfamiliar with this organization or its mission, Soulforce is a group of homosexual activists, targeting religious schools with the purpose of challenging adversaries to end what Soulforce sees as discrimination. This past week, the gay/lesbian organization visited two of Oklahoma’s privately funded Christian universities.

The group found Oral Roberts University unwilling to allow demonstrators on its campus, drawing harsh criticism from Soulforce’s spokesperson stating, “This is a reflection of how closed-minded ORU is. ORU is using religion to exclude and condemn gays and lesbians.”

To this I say apparently Soulforce does not recognize it is using religion to justify its cause as well. This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. As Oklahoma Baptist University’s President Mark Brister expressed in the Baptist Messenger, “If you deem something to be outside of God’s design for His creation, you may hear from people who consider you to be intolerant.”

The crux of Soulforce’s debate is that homosexuals cannot be changed. The truth is no one wants to change, but God is the only One who doesn’t need remodeling. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God has laid out His plans for our lives. In fact, a total transformation is what can be expected if you declare yourself a Christian.

Max Lucado writes in his book “Just Like Jesus,” “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way.” God wants you to “think and act like Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:5) This of course requires sacrifice — a mandatory component in every success story.

It appears a fierce need for approval spurred a literary resource available through Soul-force’s Web site. In defense of the homosexual lifestyle, Mel White, co-founder of the organization, has authored a 17-page document accusing several denominations and religious organizations of committing “spiritual violence,” and discriminating by wrongly using Scriptural passages. White somewhat holds himself out to be the ultimate authority on the Bible, then proceeds to dismember Scripture (i.e. Lev. 20:13, 1Tim 1:10, 1Cor. 6:9, Rom. 1:26-27) implying the Bible was not written to apply for all times — at least where homosexuality is concerned.

White believes the Bible’s mention of homosexuality had connotations different from how we understand it to be today. Conveniently left out of the equation are Scriptures directly related to God’s covenant design for marriage — man and woman becoming one flesh for God’s ultimate purpose. In other words, White appears to slough off Scripture that doesn’t serve his purpose in getting the religious sector of the American population, to put their stamp of approval on harmful behavior in the name of love.

Whether God loves us is unquestionable. Homosexuals are not excluded from His love. The fact that God can do what man cannot — love unconditionally, is not our permission slip to avoid coming under His authority. Can you fathom a world without discipline? Parents who love their children set boundaries on their behavior. Soulforce is having a bit of a problem swallowing this pill. God’s parental guidelines on sexuality are for our own good. Like children, Soulforce may be confusing acceptance with love. The question is, do we love God enough to follow his gospel plan to abandon fleshly desires in pursuit of being more like Him?

Rebuking the accounts of those who’ve overcome the stronghold of homosexuality on the grounds it is not a choice, denies the fundamental truth that God is sovereign. What is the point of the gospel if it cannot transform a life?

Using force to insist every soul accepts what the Bible refers to as an abomination is not about loving. It is about destroying religious freedom, as we know it. An anything-goes mentality isn’t about loving God or having freedom, it’s about selfishness and a self-serving attitude.

A gross misuse of Scripture will not justify behavior. Coming face to face with our sin is mandatory if you’re a Christian and conviction will have its day.