From a Law/Gospel perspective, the resolution adopted by the recent convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America (ELCA) is filled with hate directed toward Jesus Christ and those for whom He died. The final resolve reads, “…that the Churchwide Assembly prays, urges, and encourages synods, synodical bishops, and the presiding bishop to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining those rostered leaders in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship who have been called and rostered in this church.”

Why do we call this resolution one of “hate”? The opposite of hate is love as found for example in Martin Luther’s explanation of the 6th commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” He writes, “We are to fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.”

The ELCA has officially placed the sixth commandment on hold for three years as to the sinful lifestyle of homosexuality. Why does this demonstrate hate toward these sinners? Perhaps the following analogy is helpful. In walking to work you notice that a hole has been dug in the sidewalk by a contractor. Then you see a blind person approaching the hole. Should you warn him? You decide not to say anything lest the blind person become upset at being told what to do. He falls into the hole and dies. You now have a sin of omission to confess.

It’s even worse than that. According to the Lutheran Confessions, the Church is where the Word of God is taught in its purity and the Sacraments administered rightly. From an L&G perspective, only the Gospel is the means of grace. For it alone forgives. However, the work of the Law precedes the Gospel in order that one might be prepared to be aware of his sins that deserve nothing but temporal and eternal punishment.

In essence, the ELCA has resolved to refrain from using the keys of the kingdom of God specifically for those who indulge in homosexual activity. They and they alone will not hear the warnings of hell itself because the denomination has not quite yet made up its mind that the sixth commandment is applicable to sexual deviancy.

What might we next expect? Already there are voices being raised that ELCA ought also to refrain from disciplining teenagers who are having sexual relationships outside of marriage. And what about pedophiles? Or what about…add your own specific sin.

To whom is the hatred directed? Better said, to Whom is the hatred directed? Yes, the hatred is directed toward Jesus Christ Himself Who died for sinners but whose sacrifice appears to be put on hold toward homosexuals. From God’s point of view, this resolution is truly homophobic.

The notion that a same-gender relationship can be “mutual” and “chaste” is nonsense. That would be like saying that as long as a father has the permission of his adult daughter to have sexual relations with her, who of us can judge? That is, as long as the father does not cheat on his daughter and break their “faithful committed” relationship.

Finally, is this resolution from the mountain of heaven or the pit of hell? Just as Eve and Adam were seduced into Satan’s rebellion against God, they became as god in deciding for themselves that their notions were better than those from the LORD. This resolution is a direct assault against the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ who died for the sins of homosexuality, murder, rape, gossip, going over the speed limit and every other disobedience against God’s will.

However, in its finite wisdom, the ELCA has determined that the means of grace will be withheld from one particular sinner. And what is the reason that Satan used to motivate such hate? Another resolve of the adopted motion states that such action is needed to deliberate on morality “without further strife and pain to its members.” It appears that someone forget to mention about God’s pain in seeing the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ set aside for the sake of temporal peace.

Paul told the Corinthians of the consequences of attending the Lord’s Supper when they were inebriated. Can you imagine the consequences of those who come forward to receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ drunk with the pleasures of sinful flesh because of a resolution that urges no discipline and thus no repentance nor forgiveness for willful sin? One can hear the applause from hell itself.