What does the Bible say about HIV and AIDs? Part 2

There is an interesting and sad misconception that can be found all over the world. In fact it was a misconception that existed when Jesus walked the earth as well. It has permeated every generation of God-followers, and is often found in a misunderstanding of God himself. It is the half-truth that says "holiness" -- the set-apartness and special quality of the people of God -- is all about doing certain good things and not doing certain bad things.

The Pharisees and other religious groups of Jesus’ day fell into believing this very thing. They were so careful not to wander into any of the bad areas that they purposefully fenced off other areas that were not bad per se, but might let people get too close to the bad. Following these rules and living within the fenced-in areas was said to safely assure one’s holiness. This is what we commonly know as legalism.

When Jesus came to earth in the middle of this very legalistic religious society, He purposefully smashed down every fence he came upon. He ate with people who were on the other side of the fence; he talked with women; he touched sick people; he gave forgiveness and compassion instead of judgment and shame for those who broke the rules.

He not only taught by his actions that "fence-making" was not a true concept of holiness, but by his words as well. He preached that hate, lust, pride, and judgmentalism were the true barriers to holiness -- not just behaviors, but the desires of the heart. He said that knowledge of one’s need of God was the most important aspect of true holiness – realizing one’s own inability to produce holiness. He also painted for us a full picture of God and said that holiness is being like God. This included not only doing right things, but also having the love, compassion, forgiveness and grace of God as well. (Check out the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.)

This was not really a new sentiment. Jesus was just reiterating what had been said many years before, but had been neglected or unheard. Early in God’s relationship with Israel He told them to “be holy, as I am holy.” Holiness is being like God, who was revealed in fullest form as Jesus Christ. And so we say true holiness is Christ-likeness.

Therefore the picture of holiness as doing right behaviors and avoiding wrong ones is a sadly truncated version of the truth. Holiness is loving like Christ, showing compassion like Christ, offering grace and forgiveness like Christ, and bringing the outsiders in like Christ. A professed holiness that shuns, judges and brow-beats Is not holiness at all.

In light of this, the Church all over the world needs to find out what their response should be to the HIV and AIDs crisis. What is the response of people who are “holy as God is holy”? I think we can safely say that attitudes of judgmentalism and picketing with signs that say “HIV is God’s punishment on sinners” isn’t it. I think we can also count out the option of ignoring it and effectively shunning the ones who need the Church the most.