Manny Pacquiao

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, a candidate for the Philippine Senate, apologized Tuesday for saying that people who practice homosexual behavior are “worse than animals”. However, he remained firm in his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Those who claim to follow him must hold on to the truth, and do so with grace and love (Ephesians 4:15).

Jesus, who was God in the flesh, clearly and consistently forbids homosexual behavior. Pacquiao’s position is based on truth. However, Manny failed miserably to explain the truth in a loving manner. He should have remembered that every human being, no matter how sinful, is created in the image of God and loved by God very much. In order to convey that love to those who need to accept it, we must be graceful with our words. Let us learn from Pacquiao’s mistake as we carry out the work of Jesus in a world that is very much lacking in both truth and grace.