I was a christian when I was a teenager, we used to sing this song - I havn't heard it since then, now when i hear it agin I feel the need after Jesus.....
This song really lifted and touched and gave new life to many young people in the Upper Yarra area who went on and grew into Believer's Baptism. Never to be forgotten moments-Shalom
Instead of wrangling over the shortcomings of the author of this song, why don’t we just listen to the song? There is spiritual truth and encouragement to be found in it.
Bill is remarkably composed, given so recently losing his mother. This suggests that he really does have the faith that he sings about. I always thought he did.
This beautiful song was written in 1968 by Marsha Stevens-Pino......sho is a Gay American/Latino Woman and so Thanks Marsha for composing a song that has touched so many peoples hearts around the world for so many years now!....Job Well Done!...........
I LOVE THIS HYMN. MARSHA STEVENS COMES TO OUR CHURCH COME ON CHRISTIANS JESUS LOVES ALL. MCC IS THE MOST LOVING, COMPASSIONATE CHURCH THERE EVER COULD BE.
I'm so sorry about your mom and brother Danny Bill. May your legacy continue in praising and giving honor to our Father God through music, and touching the hearts of the millions in the world. God bless.
Love this song and think it might be good to remind some Christians that..."There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus". Think what this might just mean in this debate that is tearing us apart in our day. First we understood the Jew or Greek, later the slave or master, now....hope we get it right soon.
@rolly1948 AMEN! And GOD bless you. You stated it perfectly clear. If believers could just have faith and understand GOD's mercy, they wouldn't make these comments. He is so forgiving and merciful.......GOD bless you.
According to Wikipedia: "During a Gaither Homecoming Concert in Phoenix, Arizona in 2002, singer/musician/songwriter Bill Gaither acknowledged Marsha's presence in the audience along with her significant contribution to early Contemporary Christian music. When a backstage photo showing Stevens, Pino, Gaither, and Mark Lowry arm-on-arm circulated on the internet following the concert, a large backlash from conservative, fundamentalist, and evangelical Christians ensued. The controversy caused Gaither to issue a press release which included the statement, "someone snapped a photograph of the four of us, a picture Marsha has exploited on her Web site ever since." In response to Gaither's press statement regarding the incident, MCC moderator, Reverend Nancy L. Wilson, released a rebuttal statement in defense of Stevens-Pino"
Praise God for giving us the living water for those who are thirsty and are heavily laden. Can anyone tell me if i can purchase this dvd from somewhere as i am from down under Australia. God Bless all.
Bill and Gloria Gaither, "for those tears I died" is a beautiful song! Ii remember when my cousin Patricia Blair W Patrick sung with the gaithers! Marsha Stevens is a talented lady with a beautiful voice! This is my favorite song!
FIRST OF ALL, MY COUSIN SUNG WITH THE GAITHERS, OTHERS FOR 20YRS.PATRICIA WESTMORLIN BLAIR PATRICK.PRAISE THE LORD!YES,LORD,YES!BILL&GLORIA GAITHER WAS WITH HER,MARSHA.MY COUSIN WROTE "HALLELUJAH SQUARE",AND "HAVE YOU MADE YOUR RESERVATION".TWO ALBUMS.WAYLON,AND THE GAITHERS WERE THERE.THE GAITHERS WERE PUT BY GOD,AND JESUS CHRIST.PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME.GOD BLESS YOU BILL&GLORIA GAITHER,MARSHA.
Sandy, where do tears come from? Tears come from repentance, and tears come from sincere, heartfelt gratitude. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but without our tears of repentance and of gratitude, his sacrifice for us would've been in vain, so in a very real sense Jesus did die for our tears.
ie. i used to drive like 40 miles to calvary chapel from NORWALK. THE BEACH PEOPLE THERE SEEM TO THINK THAT THE L.A. PEOPLE WERE MUCH WORSE SINNERS THAN THEM. LIL SURFER BOYS LOOKING INTO YOUR EYES TRYING TO DESCERN YOU. UNCOMFORTABLE. IT'S NO WONDER SINCE THE X-FOOTBALL PLAYER CHUCK SMITH TOUGH GUY RAN THE PLACE. NEVER FELT QUITE WELCOME. NO WONDER THE LOW-RIDERS FROM MY COMMUNITY USED TO GO TO THE BEACHES TO CHASE THEIR LIL BUTTS IN TO THE WATER. SAD BUT TRUE. LOVE SONG WAS GREAT THOUGH
Remember, there's the realization of sin, repenting of sin, and accepting Jesus as Savior. Repenting means "turning away from; to turn around; to change." The problem today is people are changing the very Word of God or omitting portions of it in their teachings, and sugar coating even sins. All truth (the full Bible, cover to cover, no edits, no removals, no re-wordings to fit circumstances or a given point) is truth.
@TAYLORMADEMUSICify You have to start at the beginning. When Marsha Steven wrote "For those tears I died", she was married. No one knew she was a lesbian then. She 'came out' later. But I don't know what the Gaithers actually knew about her. I was at the concert in Phoenix. She was well known in Christian music circles. Bill did have a picture taken with her back stage. But he says he did not know and he has stated publicly he believes homosexuality is sin.
(2) I'm sure the Gaithers do not associate with her on any regular basis. She wasn't invited to the Phoenix Concert, she just showed up. The Gaithers know many Christian artists and her song was known by millions of Christians. I sang it for years and I had not a clue about her being gay. People who were back stage said it appeared to them that Bill was caught off guard. She walked up to him and her 'girlfriend' quickly took a picture.
Our God uses crooked stocks to draw straight lines! And we ALL are crooked sticks! There are so many things I don’t pretend to understand. But I know this song points me to my savior. And I know that god loves the writer and all who have sung it.
Not sure what your point is. I also sang with the Gaithers for many, many years. Most recently I performed 'Alleluia, the Praise Continues' with them. The Gaithers believe that the scriptures teach the sinful nature of homosexuality. But I've never known them to treat anyone unkindly, yet neither will they overlook sin. We all sin and the faithful repent and ask for forgiveness. That is the Biblical mandate. God Speed.
As for Bill's comments, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Two days after I buried my mother I was not thinking or speaking as well as I normally do, and I doubt that Bill was.
@frescosuave - actually what saddens me are those that claim to follow Christ- but forget what he taught, and he he taught it to! Jesus spoke to those cast out by their society, looked down on by their religious leaders and considered unclean and undesirable. And he loved them and saw what was on the inside, not what the rest of the world saw. That is who I follow. The Son of God. who came not to condemn, but to save. Before pulling the mote out of your brothers eye, pull the beam out of yours
those hateful judemental, narrow minded people are not true followers of Christ., but they are still God's children and he loves them just as he does you and me. i'm just an old sinner saved by grace and will never be anything else. but i'm very blessed to have my Lord in my life guiding me, but i still mess up.. yee without sin cast the first stone. i'm not going to throw a paper wade cause a boulder might come back and hit me in the face.
I DID NOT SAY YOU HATE PEOPLE. NO ONE IS WITHOUT SIN. GOD LOVES ALL WHO LOVE AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. MCC CHURCH PROVES WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT. SUCH A WONDERFUL LOVING CARING CHURCH. THEY HAVE DONE MORE FOR THE GAY AND STRAIGHT COMMUNITY THAN ANY OTHER CHURCH EVER!!! ALL ARE WELCOME NO MATTER WHAT YOUR , SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR, NATIONALITY.
I'm seeing some comments about the "words about Christ" in this song as being a blessing, and such, too. Ignoring what has already been stated about Ms. Stevens, of which I have been a part, the song in and of itself is not entirely Biblical. Nowhere in my Bible or several other versions I've looked at does it say that Jesus died for your tears; He died for your SIN; He died for you. Tears won't make it to Heaven (Rev 21:4); the question is, will you make it there?
What an inspiring song from my past but now that I've read some of the comments I'm concerned about the song writer having changed paths and I hope Mr. Gaither was exhibiting Christ's love and not solidarity with sin?!!
God says that we are not to be lukewarm, we are to be born again with a new nature, how do we have a new nature if we still refuse to turn from the sin that keeps us in bondage, what's the difference between those who are living in sin who declares that they are not a Christian vs the one who claims to be a Christian and living in the same sin, that is not a true Christian but one who is in name only.
You sound like you must be a baby Christian. Someday when you mature in Christ you will understand that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. For now you still see everything through the lens of your own sinful nature instead of through the eyes of Christ and His unconditional love and forgiveness. "Christians in name only" are the hypocrites who continue to point fingers at others instead of looking internally and concerning themselves with their own sin. The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God"... and that "There is NONE righteous, no, not one." So when you judge and condemn others you are being one of the hypocrites that Jesus called "a nest of vipers." True followers of Christ acknowledge that they are sinners save by Grace through absolutely nothing they have done to deserve it, and they understand that no one else's sins are any worse nor better than their own. You're not in any position to judge others and pretend that you're somehow better or holier than them. There was only one perfect person, and he was nailed to a cross. You crucify Christ all over again when you judge instead of loving those who are different from you. What have you learned from reading Jesus's teachings? How did He handle it when the hypocrites chastised him for healing a leper? Or when he associated with the whores and the tax collectors and other hated "sinners?" What did you learn from Jesus's the parable of the Good Samaritan (the class of people that the "religious" people at his time despised and looked down on much as gays are today by people like you)? "This is my commandment that you love one another that you joy may be full." Get over yourself, honey. Get down on your knees and repent. Start loving people instead of fearing and hypocritically judging them. Marsha Stevens, who wrote the beautiful and deeply spiritual "For Those Tears I Died" is every bit as saved as you are. She is a Christian. And exactly like you, her sins are forgiven, washed clean by the blood of Christ. There is nothing that she can do (or not do) to earn that Grace any more than there is anything YOU can do -- or not do -- to earn it. You continue to sin every day of your life. You -- and Marsha and all other Christians -- are covered by blood of Jesus.
I'm certain nobody can be or rightly claim to be God's spokesperson. In the circumstances, it is only Him who is His child and who isn't. His Word is plain or who are His manifested children, the ones who are so glad their sins are forgiven they won't walk in the dark, for they have rejected the hidden works of darkness.
I WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THAT ANYONE BUT BILL GAITHER WOULD HAVE HURT THIS PRECIOUS LADY. SHE IS SO ANOINTED! WE HAVE ALL WATCHED MARK LOWRY AND HAVE LOVED HIM. EVERYONE THOUGHT BILL GAITHER WAS GAY FRIENDLY. BILL,YOUR HEART OF LOVE WAS SAYING THE TRUTH. WHY DID YOU RETRACT IT? PLEASE BRING MARSHA BACK ON AND MAKE IT RIGHT WITH HER. DON'T THESE LYRICS TELL YOU HOW MUCH GOD LOVES HER? BILL GAITHER AND FRIENDS SHOULD TOO! I WAS SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED!
"God doesn't (hate anyone)." He said He did. He said He hated Esau. Christians love to ignore that verse, but picking what you want from the Word and rejecting what you want might find you being rejected by God. Jesus stated very clearly that He will say to those who ate and drank in His presence and even cast out demons and did miracles in His name, "Depart from me, YOU WHO WORK INIQUITY." Here, He's promised to never leave us or forsake us, but He made clear who He will reject on that Day.
C in instruction and why you should not have assumed that my remark was saying, "don't pray for unsaved people," but rather was countering an ill-advised perversion of a specific and plainly stated Scripture that *frequently* isn't *heard* as it should be, and the error results in unfruitful and wrong praying. I hope you have new appreciation for James 1:19 and also for the Scriptures you brought up. The Lord notices when we "labor" over his Word and desire the "hidden manna," and rewards us.
Not to try to get you to stop praying for anyone, but if you'll carefully examine the Scriptures (Thank You Jesus for Bible software!), you'll find that you're never instructed to pray for sinners, the wicked, or the lost. We're instructed to pray for Believers, those in authority and for God to send laborers into the harvest. It may sound like a small thing, but Jesus emphasized the power of a jot (yod). In anything in which we see light, the more we focus, pray and meditate, we'll benefit.
2 Derek Prince said over 35 years ago that Christians are like hot Jello. The first mold you pour them in is the one in which they get "set" Afterwards, when they get put in a new mold, it doesn't quite "fit." No denomination is more proud of their doctrine than Baptists. I was a Baptist as were both sides of my family and I grew up in the "Bible Belt." Calvinists and Arminians are both right and both wrong, but does it matter? Rom 14 Have you really heard God open Mt 6:14,12:37 to you?
Wow I did not know this song was making reference to Gay ppl or something to that effect. I heard a drag say the other day 'before I was a gay man I was a human'. As believers in Jesus Christ we have to forgive and thereafter love the human eventhough he or she is gay. To love means to forgive, respect and recognize all humans regardless of wether they are gay or not. I know what you are thinking but all believers have to trust God in this. In order to wipe out all sin from the face of the earth it begins with forgiveness. Believers you have the power to forgive or retain sins. John 20: 22 & 23.
@TAYLORMADEMUSICify Moses was defending another Israelite and David got forgiveness for what he did. David also repented and lived a good life. Apostle Paul never personally killed Christians. He also got saved. God demands that we all repent. We can't claim that we are saved and continue in our sins.
Everyone "picks and chooses". None of us is aware of all of our sins. We all twist the bible in one way or another. We use God's word to discriminate. The 2nd chapter of Romans is right. We who accuse are guilty of the same. If anyone disagrees with that statement... they are calling God a liar. We think God's standard is for everyone to be "as good as we are". But we are wearing filthy rags. If I clothe myself with the righteousness of Christ, pretense and self righteousness fall away.
(3) We don't know what he knew at that time, so I can't be upset with him. He associates with Sandi Patti, Michael English and they have been divorced, same for Bonnie Keen. The difference is that these people have sincerely repented. To answer your question about what to do. The answer is in 1 Cor 5: starting with verse 9. We need to separate ourselves until they repent. We should still pray that they will turn from their sin, but scripture is clear that we must judge immorality.
"Do you honestly think you can show up here and start pontificating to me about how good of Christian you are?" Just in case you debate whether to "show me my sins" I want to remind you of one you owe me. You need to produce MY WORDS where I told you "how good Christian" I am.
I am going out on a limb here, but I have lost everything important to me, my whole family rejected me, so I am going to say something that I believe with all my heart. It is wrong to be gay or lesbian. As a Christian I know this is wrong, but, I will love everyone the same and let God judge us when it is time. I don't think God wants us to hate who we believe are sinners, but, we must hate the sin they are committing. I should be able to have my opinion too, but I cannot force my belief on anyone. I think a lot of people now are afraid to voice their belief's and that scares and saddens me.
Most people have "unresolved pain." The Scriptures tell us there will come a day when "He will wipe away ever tear from their eyes." Justifying sin that is so grievous that God calls it an abomination and for which He commanded the Jews to execute the guilty is dishonoring to God, His Word and to a healthy society. Being brainwashed by the lies of the serpent to approve this wickedness that today is politically correct suggests you've received the spirit of this world. You need to fear God.
GOD LOVES ALL. HATE IS A SIN NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU. HOMOSEXUALITY HAS BEEN SINCE TIME BEGAN. YOUNG PEOPLE COMITT SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND ARE MADE TO FEEL UNLOVED. THEY CAN'T CHANGE HOW THEY WERE BORN AND THEIR FEELINGS.
And putting words in my mouth is akin to slander.... another one of those sins that prevents one from inheriting the kingdom.. Who said anything about perverted anonymous sex? I didnt say homosexual tendencies were "good" either. But they are a part of many peoples makeup. Just because you have never lived with that doesnt make it any less real. Surely there must be something YOU struggle with that have found no solution to or healing from? God uses us in all our forms. God's grace is HUGE!!!!!
"I sit under the teaching of one of the greatest scholars in America today." All the Pharisees did. The people God honors are those who sit at Jesus' feet, but that's something that doesn't interest you. You're happy to glory in men. 1Cor 3:21
Re: "YOU WON'T BECAUSE YOU CAN'T!" My words were thoughtful, scriptural, straightforward and clear. This is exactly why you said you wouldn't read them. You were SHAMED because you "answered a matter before you heard it" and that's embarrassing for someone who prides himself for sitting under "the most eminent Pharisees" ... or singular Pharisee. I will say this for you. You've mastered Pharisaism. Congratulations. Its too bad that it's only made you angry and dishonest like the Pharisees.
Those who are so busy judging the songwriter that they cannot be blessed by the words about Christ are disturbing to me. I find it sad that people are more concerned about the songrwiter than about the subject of the song.
cont3 so stick with what it says and don't fabricate an emphasis that I correctly stated ISN'T THERE. Mt 5:44-48 Once again, you DELIBERATELY MISS the CLEAR PURPOSE of the Scripture to argue for a doctrine you CANNOT FIND PLAINLY STATED. Jesus' message on forgiveness is at issue here. The use of the word "enemies" is VERY MEANINGFUL here and it absolutely DOES NOT REQUIRE that they be "the lost." It could be your sister, who you've hated since she embarrassed you in front of someone.
B what they see, hear and are told than by what the Scripture reveals by precept and example. Now, before you falsely accuse me again, I DID NOT say, "Pagans should always be insulted." Neither did I say, "Don't ever walk in love towards atheists." So, please "rightly divide" what I say, just as you're instructed to rightly divide the Word. Now, if you'll meditate on Job 11:6, Ecc 3:1 and Prov 26:4-5, you'll have three witnesses that suggest that "always" and "never" usually aren't applicable
Rogue here is the scripture from the OT Lev. 18:22 •‘You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.""You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." There can be no doubt that OT condemns homosexuality..
I hope you follow the EVERY verse that is written on either side of Lev. 18:22. "If you live by the law you will be judged by every iota of the law." If you aren't, shut-up already(.)
Some truth or partial truth or partially changed truth is a lie. So, anyone who teaches or believes that this sort of behavior is OK, is violating not just the adultery commandment, but also the lying one, too. Be very careful.
You're ignoring Scripture that clearly says: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph5 There's an old and well known adage that says, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." The hippie philosophy of "live and let life" was just a rewording of "do as thou wilt" an expression used by various sects of satanists (who btw, like to deny being satanists as the opportunity dictates, being liars all). Sexual perversion defies God.
@1954phyllis I could not agree more. The reason I said that we should leave this in God's hands, is that we don't know what Marsha Stevens is doing now. I've been to her site and it looks like she is joining the people who have decided that God doesn't disapprove of homosexuality. They have gone so far as to decide that David & Jonathon were gay lovers. It's sickening to see the lows people will go to rationalize their sin. Very sad indeed. I do think we all still sin, but we try not to.
According to the Word of God, it wasn't the "condescension" that bothered you. In fact, if you knew the Scriptures half as well as you think you do, you'd know it was your pride that caused the problem. Isn't that what Prov 13:10 says? "Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." You "think more highly of yourself than you ought." Put that next to Romans 2 and your problem is clear as a bell.
It is true that God loves sinners; but He does not love sin. The Bible is very clear about this. When one is saved, there is a CHANGE. Your life is changed and is not lived contrary to the very Word of God, which is the Bible. I suggest reading it sometime. It is very clear that adulterers and those who "leave the natural affections" have no place in heaven if they remain in those sins.
Y'all---I guess that there is a lot of chatter out on this song and its composer. The song is great and I think that the words are gospel-directed. The composer's lifestyle? Sharing untruth about gay love is damaging of course. The MCC church folks may be super sincere, but one can be sincerely wrong. The CHurch's treatment of gay and trans people has often been not healthy. If gay folks were accepted in our churches, they might not run to MCC. CHristians" Let's reach out to those whose lifestyles are not morally correct. Let us provide them with great gospel.
"it is you who have committed eisegesis instead of exegesis of the scriptures." Show it. I showed you where you erred and you didn't have the humility to receive it but you have the temerity to accuse me of adding to Scripture. SHOW IT.
"it appears to me that you think you are an expert on the scriptures" John 7:18 "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." I was called by God in a supernatural encounter with Him. I was later given another supernatural encounter with Him where He gave me 1Tim4 and supernaturally attested to this in the assembly in front of witnesses. I seek to faithfully represent His Word.
C Pro 9:8 here is something to which you should give some attention. It hits you square between the eyes. Since that's true, I'm certain you won't acknowledge it. 2Tim4:2 was instruction for me, even though you despise my obedience. So, I'm still waiting for you to tell me your age, if you're not too embarrassed about the way you've behaved.
cont9 Matt 9:38 "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." The difference, though you REFUSED to see it, was there BEFORE you objected to my words. If you would have simply thought about ALL my words, and pondered them, you wouldn't have made your error. I never said it's WRONG to pray for the wicked. I said "you're never instructed to pray for sinners... ." It was NOT hard for you to understand what I meant and you're being contentious. Best regards
Straight or gay, right or wrong The anointing can come to any. Ever hear of a prophet called Baalam? "I Saw the Light", "Why Me Lord" and others written by drunks, drug addicts and other sins and yet the /songs/ are anointed. Quit pointing out and hating the sinners. Pray for them. Hate the sins not the sinners. And like Christ love them, seek them out, pray for them and love them to Christ. You will never preach them to heaven preaching hate.
![Donnie Sumner - For Those Tears I Died [Live]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HXOiWZonUcQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Donnie Sumner - For Those Tears I Died [Live]](/img/tr.png)
Marsha Stevens has a gift from God and is a child of God. She is loved as one of his children, not as cast a way. God loves her.
I was a christian when I was a teenager, we used to sing this song - I havn't heard it since then, now when i hear it agin I feel the need after Jesus.....
Thank God for Marsha Stevens-Pino! Still a vessel of God's love to this day!
I haven't heard this song since I was a teenager .... it was one of my favorites. Crying and praising Jesus. Thank you for posting!
This song really lifted and touched and gave new life to many young people in the Upper Yarra area who went on and grew into Believer's Baptism. Never to be forgotten moments-Shalom
what a beautiful song, I just see Jesus with His arms outstretched wait to comfort us and remind us again and again that for those tears He died.
Instead of wrangling over the shortcomings of the author of this song, why don’t we just listen to the song? There is spiritual truth and encouragement to be found in it.
Bill is remarkably composed, given so recently losing his mother. This suggests that he really does have the faith that he sings about. I always thought he did.
The only sure thing in life is GOD's love that HE demonstrated on the cross. Thank you Jesus!!!!
Marsha wrote that song when she was 16 years old.
It's a damn good song !
He who’s with out sin, let him cast the first stone!
This beautiful song was written in 1968 by Marsha Stevens-Pino......sho is a Gay American/Latino Woman and so Thanks Marsha for composing a song that has touched so many peoples hearts around the world for so many years now!....Job Well Done!...........
In memory of our Beloved son , Chad Feltner 1-18-85 11-19-22 We miss him terribly 😔..Praise his Holy Savior, Jesus Christ
I love this song... It is very special to me.. This song, changed my life....
The song describes how much Jesus wants us to come to him, and does so in a beautiful way. I am glad that we have it.
I LOVE THIS HYMN. MARSHA STEVENS COMES TO OUR CHURCH COME ON CHRISTIANS JESUS LOVES ALL. MCC IS THE MOST LOVING, COMPASSIONATE CHURCH THERE EVER COULD BE.
I can feel the love.... in the video that is.... the comment section is quite another story.
I'm so sorry about your mom and brother Danny Bill. May your legacy continue in praising and giving honor to our Father God through music, and touching the hearts of the millions in the world. God bless.
A
I know this song very well along with memories. Thank you
Such a special 💖 life giving message
Beautiful song!
Thank you for those words! So truth!!
really love that song. its so true.
thank you for posting! god bless you
So beautiful...
i love this song
THANK YOU JESUS!!!
Love this song and think it might be good to remind some Christians that..."There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus". Think what this might just mean in this debate that is tearing us apart in our day. First we understood the Jew or Greek, later the slave or master, now....hope we get it right soon.
Something beautiful
@rolly1948 AMEN! And GOD bless you. You stated it perfectly clear. If believers could just have faith and understand GOD's mercy, they wouldn't make these comments. He is so forgiving and merciful.......GOD bless you.
Anthony Burger, the pianist here, died the same year of this video (2006) on a Gaither cruise. Such a coincidence considering Bill's words here.
Thank you!!
According to Wikipedia:
"During a Gaither Homecoming Concert in Phoenix, Arizona in 2002, singer/musician/songwriter Bill Gaither acknowledged Marsha's presence in the audience along with her significant contribution to early Contemporary Christian music. When a backstage photo showing Stevens, Pino, Gaither, and Mark Lowry arm-on-arm circulated on the internet following the concert, a large backlash from conservative, fundamentalist, and evangelical Christians ensued. The controversy caused Gaither to issue a press release which included the statement, "someone snapped a photograph of the four of us, a picture Marsha has exploited on her Web site ever since." In response to Gaither's press statement regarding the incident, MCC moderator, Reverend Nancy L. Wilson, released a rebuttal statement in defense of Stevens-Pino"
Praise God for giving us the living water for those who are thirsty and are heavily laden. Can anyone tell me if i can purchase this dvd from somewhere as i am from down under Australia. God Bless all.
Bill and Gloria Gaither, "for those tears I died" is a beautiful song! Ii remember when my cousin Patricia Blair W Patrick sung with the gaithers! Marsha Stevens is a talented lady with a beautiful voice! This is my favorite song!
FIRST OF ALL, MY COUSIN SUNG WITH THE GAITHERS, OTHERS FOR 20YRS.PATRICIA WESTMORLIN BLAIR PATRICK.PRAISE THE LORD!YES,LORD,YES!BILL&GLORIA GAITHER WAS WITH HER,MARSHA.MY COUSIN WROTE "HALLELUJAH SQUARE",AND "HAVE YOU MADE YOUR RESERVATION".TWO ALBUMS.WAYLON,AND THE GAITHERS WERE THERE.THE GAITHERS WERE PUT BY GOD,AND JESUS CHRIST.PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME.GOD BLESS YOU BILL&GLORIA GAITHER,MARSHA.
Sandy, where do tears come from? Tears come from repentance, and tears come from sincere, heartfelt gratitude. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but without our tears of repentance and of gratitude, his sacrifice for us would've been in vain, so in a very real sense Jesus did die for our tears.
Hey you can always come back. Jesus is always there. And believe me, I've gone abotu as far away as you could go.
ie. i used to drive like 40 miles to calvary chapel from NORWALK. THE BEACH PEOPLE THERE SEEM TO THINK THAT THE L.A. PEOPLE WERE MUCH WORSE SINNERS THAN THEM. LIL SURFER BOYS LOOKING INTO YOUR EYES TRYING TO DESCERN YOU. UNCOMFORTABLE. IT'S NO WONDER SINCE THE X-FOOTBALL PLAYER CHUCK SMITH TOUGH GUY RAN THE PLACE. NEVER FELT QUITE WELCOME. NO WONDER THE LOW-RIDERS FROM MY COMMUNITY USED TO GO TO THE BEACHES TO CHASE THEIR LIL BUTTS IN TO THE WATER. SAD BUT TRUE. LOVE SONG WAS GREAT THOUGH
Good post. Too many ignore the Scriptural admonition to "Prove all things; hold fast to the good."
Remember, there's the realization of sin, repenting of sin, and accepting Jesus as Savior. Repenting means "turning away from; to turn around; to change." The problem today is people are changing the very Word of God or omitting portions of it in their teachings, and sugar coating even sins. All truth (the full Bible, cover to cover, no edits, no removals, no re-wordings to fit circumstances or a given point) is truth.
@TAYLORMADEMUSICify You have to start at the beginning. When Marsha Steven wrote "For those tears I died", she was married. No one knew she was a lesbian then. She 'came out' later. But I don't know what the Gaithers actually knew about her. I was at the concert in Phoenix. She was well known in Christian music circles. Bill did have a picture taken with her back stage. But he says he did not know and he has stated publicly he believes homosexuality is sin.
(2) I'm sure the Gaithers do not associate with her on any regular basis. She wasn't invited to the Phoenix Concert, she just showed up. The Gaithers know many Christian artists and her song was known by millions of Christians. I sang it for years and I had not a clue about her being gay. People who were back stage said it appeared to them that Bill was caught off guard. She walked up to him and her 'girlfriend' quickly took a picture.
@martinthezman you said it!
Bill
Our God uses crooked stocks to draw straight lines! And we ALL are crooked sticks! There are so many things I don’t pretend to understand. But I know this song points me to my savior. And I know that god loves the writer and all who have sung it.
Not sure what your point is. I also sang with the Gaithers for many, many years. Most recently I performed 'Alleluia, the Praise Continues' with them. The Gaithers believe that the scriptures teach the sinful nature of homosexuality. But I've never known them to treat anyone unkindly, yet neither will they overlook sin. We all sin and the faithful repent and ask for forgiveness. That is the Biblical mandate. God Speed.
As for Bill's comments, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Two days after I buried my mother I was not thinking or speaking as well as I normally do, and I doubt that Bill was.
I love this group, although they rejected my songs I sent for them to sing, and they were great songs, but it's ok. LOL.
@frescosuave - actually what saddens me are those that claim to follow Christ- but forget what he taught, and he he taught it to! Jesus spoke to those cast out by their society, looked down on by their religious leaders and considered unclean and undesirable. And he loved them and saw what was on the inside, not what the rest of the world saw. That is who I follow. The Son of God. who came not to condemn, but to save. Before pulling the mote out of your brothers eye, pull the beam out of yours
those hateful judemental, narrow minded people are not true followers of Christ., but they are still God's children and he loves them just as he does you and me. i'm just an old sinner saved by grace and will never be anything else. but i'm very blessed to have my Lord in my life guiding me, but i still mess up.. yee without sin cast the first stone. i'm not going to throw a paper wade cause a boulder might come back and hit me in the face.
I DID NOT SAY YOU HATE PEOPLE. NO ONE IS WITHOUT SIN. GOD LOVES ALL WHO LOVE AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. MCC CHURCH PROVES WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT. SUCH A WONDERFUL LOVING CARING CHURCH. THEY HAVE DONE MORE FOR THE GAY AND STRAIGHT COMMUNITY THAN ANY OTHER CHURCH EVER!!! ALL ARE WELCOME NO MATTER WHAT YOUR , SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR, NATIONALITY.
I'm seeing some comments about the "words about Christ" in this song as being a blessing, and such, too. Ignoring what has already been stated about Ms. Stevens, of which I have been a part, the song in and of itself is not entirely Biblical. Nowhere in my Bible or several other versions I've looked at does it say that Jesus died for your tears; He died for your SIN; He died for you. Tears won't make it to Heaven (Rev 21:4); the question is, will you make it there?
What an inspiring song from my past but now that I've read some of the comments I'm concerned about the song writer having changed paths and I hope Mr. Gaither was exhibiting Christ's love and not solidarity with sin?!!
@amandajoy26 Amen!!!!!
God says that we are not to be lukewarm, we are to be born again with a new nature, how do we have a new nature if we still refuse to turn from the sin that keeps us in bondage, what's the difference between those who are living in sin who declares that they are not a Christian vs the one who claims to be a Christian and living in the same sin, that is not a true Christian but one who is in name only.
You sound like you must be a baby Christian. Someday when you mature in Christ you will understand that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. For now you still see everything through the lens of your own sinful nature instead of through the eyes of Christ and His unconditional love and forgiveness.
"Christians in name only" are the hypocrites who continue to point fingers at others instead of looking internally and concerning themselves with their own sin. The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God"... and that "There is NONE righteous, no, not one." So when you judge and condemn others you are being one of the hypocrites that Jesus called "a nest of vipers." True followers of Christ acknowledge that they are sinners save by Grace through absolutely nothing they have done to deserve it, and they understand that no one else's sins are any worse nor better than their own.
You're not in any position to judge others and pretend that you're somehow better or holier than them. There was only one perfect person, and he was nailed to a cross. You crucify Christ all over again when you judge instead of loving those who are different from you. What have you learned from reading Jesus's teachings? How did He handle it when the hypocrites chastised him for healing a leper? Or when he associated with the whores and the tax collectors and other hated "sinners?" What did you learn from Jesus's the parable of the Good Samaritan (the class of people that the "religious" people at his time despised and looked down on much as gays are today by people like you)?
"This is my commandment that you love one another that you joy may be full."
Get over yourself, honey. Get down on your knees and repent. Start loving people instead of fearing and hypocritically judging them. Marsha Stevens, who wrote the beautiful and deeply spiritual "For Those Tears I Died" is every bit as saved as you are. She is a Christian. And exactly like you, her sins are forgiven, washed clean by the blood of Christ. There is nothing that she can do (or not do) to earn that Grace any more than there is anything YOU can do -- or not do -- to earn it. You continue to sin every day of your life. You -- and Marsha and all other Christians -- are covered by blood of Jesus.
i agree totally, yee without sin cast the first stone,(real simple isn't it)
I'm certain nobody can be or rightly claim to be God's spokesperson. In the circumstances, it is only Him who is His child and who isn't. His Word is plain or who are His manifested children, the ones who are so glad their sins are forgiven they won't walk in the dark, for they have rejected the hidden works of darkness.
I WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THAT ANYONE BUT BILL GAITHER WOULD HAVE HURT THIS PRECIOUS LADY. SHE IS SO ANOINTED! WE HAVE ALL WATCHED MARK LOWRY AND HAVE LOVED HIM. EVERYONE THOUGHT BILL GAITHER WAS GAY FRIENDLY. BILL,YOUR HEART OF LOVE WAS SAYING THE TRUTH. WHY DID YOU RETRACT IT? PLEASE BRING MARSHA BACK ON AND MAKE IT RIGHT WITH HER. DON'T THESE LYRICS TELL YOU HOW MUCH GOD LOVES HER? BILL GAITHER AND FRIENDS SHOULD TOO! I WAS SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED!
"God doesn't (hate anyone)." He said He did. He said He hated Esau. Christians love to ignore that verse, but picking what you want from the Word and rejecting what you want might find you being rejected by God.
Jesus stated very clearly that He will say to those who ate and drank in His presence and even cast out demons and did miracles in His name, "Depart from me, YOU WHO WORK INIQUITY."
Here, He's promised to never leave us or forsake us, but He made clear who He will reject on that Day.
C
in instruction and why you should not have assumed that my remark was saying, "don't pray for unsaved people," but rather was countering an ill-advised perversion of a specific and plainly stated Scripture that *frequently* isn't *heard* as it should be, and the error results in unfruitful and wrong praying.
I hope you have new appreciation for James 1:19 and also for the Scriptures you brought up.
The Lord notices when we "labor" over his Word and desire the "hidden manna," and rewards us.
What video is this from?
When did this occur?
Jesus didn't die for our tears. He did for our sins.
@Gizmologist09 That's really quite easy. Start with 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Or... Romans 1:21-27. There are others.
"... you self-righteous Pharisee?"
Who's judging whom?
Not to try to get you to stop praying for anyone, but if you'll carefully examine the Scriptures (Thank You Jesus for Bible software!), you'll find that you're never instructed to pray for sinners, the wicked, or the lost. We're instructed to pray for Believers, those in authority and for God to send laborers into the harvest.
It may sound like a small thing, but Jesus emphasized the power of a jot (yod). In anything in which we see light, the more we focus, pray and meditate, we'll benefit.
2
Derek Prince said over 35 years ago that Christians are like hot Jello. The first mold you pour them in is the one in which they get "set" Afterwards, when they get put in a new mold, it doesn't quite "fit."
No denomination is more proud of their doctrine than Baptists. I was a Baptist as were both sides of my family and I grew up in the "Bible Belt."
Calvinists and Arminians are both right and both wrong, but does it matter? Rom 14
Have you really heard God open Mt 6:14,12:37 to you?
Good. I do pray that you will figure this out someday. You ACCOSTED me without any provocation.
Keep typing all you want. I won't read them.
Wow I did not know this song was making reference to Gay ppl or something to that effect. I heard a drag say the other day 'before I was a gay man I was a human'. As believers in Jesus Christ we have to forgive and thereafter love the human eventhough he or she is gay. To love means to forgive, respect and recognize all humans regardless of wether they are gay or not. I know what you are thinking but all believers have to trust God in this. In order to wipe out all sin from the face of the earth it begins with forgiveness. Believers you have the power to forgive or retain sins. John 20: 22 & 23.
@TAYLORMADEMUSICify Moses was defending another Israelite and David got forgiveness for what he did. David also repented and lived a good life. Apostle Paul never personally killed Christians. He also got saved. God demands that we all repent. We can't claim that we are saved and continue in our sins.
He will only forgive you if you ask!!!
Everyone "picks and chooses". None of us is aware of all of our sins. We all twist the bible in one way or another. We use God's word to discriminate. The 2nd chapter of Romans is right. We who accuse are guilty of the same. If anyone disagrees with that statement... they are calling God a liar. We think God's standard is for everyone to be "as good as we are". But we are wearing filthy rags. If I clothe myself with the righteousness of Christ, pretense and self righteousness fall away.
(3) We don't know what he knew at that time, so I can't be upset with him. He associates with Sandi Patti, Michael English and they have been divorced, same for Bonnie Keen. The difference is that these people have sincerely repented.
To answer your question about what to do. The answer is in 1 Cor 5: starting with verse 9. We need to separate ourselves until they repent. We should still pray that they will turn from their sin, but scripture is clear that we must judge immorality.
"Do you honestly think you can show up here and start pontificating to me about how good of Christian you are?"
Just in case you debate whether to "show me my sins" I want to remind you of one you owe me. You need to produce MY WORDS where I told you "how good Christian" I am.
I am going out on a limb here, but I have lost everything important to me, my whole family rejected me, so I am going to say something that I believe with all my heart. It is wrong to be gay or lesbian. As a Christian I know this is wrong, but, I will love everyone the same and let God judge us when it is time. I don't think God wants us to hate who we believe are sinners, but, we must hate the sin they are committing. I should be able to have my opinion too, but I cannot force my belief on anyone. I think a lot of people now are afraid to voice their belief's and that scares and saddens me.
Most people have "unresolved pain." The Scriptures tell us there will come a day when "He will wipe away ever tear from their eyes."
Justifying sin that is so grievous that God calls it an abomination and for which He commanded the Jews to execute the guilty is dishonoring to God, His Word and to a healthy society. Being brainwashed by the lies of the serpent to approve this wickedness that today is politically correct suggests you've received the spirit of this world. You need to fear God.
GOD LOVES ALL. HATE IS A SIN NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU. HOMOSEXUALITY HAS BEEN SINCE TIME BEGAN. YOUNG PEOPLE COMITT SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND ARE MADE TO FEEL UNLOVED. THEY CAN'T CHANGE HOW THEY WERE BORN AND THEIR FEELINGS.
And putting words in my mouth is akin to slander.... another one of those sins that prevents one from inheriting the kingdom.. Who said anything about perverted anonymous sex? I didnt say homosexual tendencies were "good" either. But they are a part of many peoples makeup. Just because you have never lived with that doesnt make it any less real. Surely there must be something YOU struggle with that have found no solution to or healing from? God uses us in all our forms. God's grace is HUGE!!!!!
@SkiesVibrant Yes but King David didn't continue in his sins. He repented. No one can be trully saved and contnue praticing sin.
"I sit under the teaching of one of the greatest scholars in America today."
All the Pharisees did. The people God honors are those who sit at Jesus' feet, but that's something that doesn't interest you. You're happy to glory in men. 1Cor 3:21
Re: "YOU WON'T BECAUSE YOU CAN'T!"
My words were thoughtful, scriptural, straightforward and clear. This is exactly why you said you wouldn't read them. You were SHAMED because you "answered a matter before you heard it" and that's embarrassing for someone who prides himself for sitting under "the most eminent Pharisees" ... or singular Pharisee.
I will say this for you. You've mastered Pharisaism. Congratulations. Its too bad that it's only made you angry and dishonest like the Pharisees.
Those who are so busy judging the songwriter that they cannot be blessed by the words about Christ are disturbing to me. I find it sad that people are more concerned about the songrwiter than about the subject of the song.
cont3
so stick with what it says and don't fabricate an emphasis that I correctly stated ISN'T THERE.
Mt 5:44-48 Once again, you DELIBERATELY MISS the CLEAR PURPOSE of the Scripture to argue for a doctrine you CANNOT FIND PLAINLY STATED.
Jesus' message on forgiveness is at issue here. The use of the word "enemies" is VERY MEANINGFUL here and it absolutely DOES NOT REQUIRE that they be "the lost." It could be your sister, who you've hated since she embarrassed you in front of someone.
@SkiesVibrant King David and Johnathan weren't gays.
B
what they see, hear and are told than by what the Scripture reveals by precept and example.
Now, before you falsely accuse me again, I DID NOT say, "Pagans should always be insulted." Neither did I say, "Don't ever walk in love towards atheists."
So, please "rightly divide" what I say, just as you're instructed to rightly divide the Word.
Now, if you'll meditate on Job 11:6, Ecc 3:1 and Prov 26:4-5, you'll have three witnesses that suggest that "always" and "never" usually aren't applicable
"get the thing out of your eye before u tell others"
So, why is it you're not following your own advice?
Rogue here is the scripture from the OT
Lev. 18:22
•‘You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.""You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." There can be no doubt that OT condemns homosexuality..
I hope you follow the EVERY verse that is written on either side of Lev. 18:22. "If you live by the law you will be judged by every iota of the law." If you aren't, shut-up already(.)
JUDGE NOT LEST YOU BE JUDGED......... unless someone is picking and choosing what part of the bible to believe in...
Some truth or partial truth or partially changed truth is a lie. So, anyone who teaches or believes that this sort of behavior is OK, is violating not just the adultery commandment, but also the lying one, too. Be very careful.
You're ignoring Scripture that clearly says: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph5
There's an old and well known adage that says, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." The hippie philosophy of "live and let life" was just a rewording of "do as thou wilt" an expression used by various sects of satanists (who btw, like to deny being satanists as the opportunity dictates, being liars all).
Sexual perversion defies God.
@1954phyllis I could not agree more. The reason I said that we should leave this in God's hands, is that we don't know what Marsha Stevens is doing now. I've been to her site and it looks like she is joining the people who have decided that God doesn't disapprove of homosexuality. They have gone so far as to decide that David & Jonathon were gay lovers. It's sickening to see the lows people will go to rationalize their sin. Very sad indeed. I do think we all still sin, but we try not to.
According to the Word of God, it wasn't the "condescension" that bothered you.
In fact, if you knew the Scriptures half as well as you think you do, you'd know it was your pride that caused the problem. Isn't that what Prov 13:10 says? "Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
You "think more highly of yourself than you ought." Put that next to Romans 2 and your problem is clear as a bell.
But.. Jesus did not die for our tears, He died for our sins. There is a BIG difference.
It is true that God loves sinners; but He does not love sin. The Bible is very clear about this. When one is saved, there is a CHANGE. Your life is changed and is not lived contrary to the very Word of God, which is the Bible. I suggest reading it sometime. It is very clear that adulterers and those who "leave the natural affections" have no place in heaven if they remain in those sins.
Y'all---I guess that there is a lot of chatter out on this song and its composer. The song is great and I think that the words are gospel-directed. The composer's lifestyle? Sharing untruth about gay love is damaging of course. The MCC church folks may be super sincere, but one can be sincerely wrong. The CHurch's treatment of gay and trans people has often been not healthy. If gay folks were accepted in our churches, they might not run to MCC. CHristians" Let's reach out to those whose lifestyles are not morally correct. Let us provide them with great gospel.
"it is you who have committed eisegesis instead of exegesis of the scriptures."
Show it. I showed you where you erred and you didn't have the humility to receive it but you have the temerity to accuse me of adding to Scripture. SHOW IT.
"it appears to me that you think you are an expert on the scriptures"
John 7:18
"He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
I was called by God in a supernatural encounter with Him. I was later given another supernatural encounter with Him where He gave me 1Tim4 and supernaturally attested to this in the assembly in front of witnesses.
I seek to faithfully represent His Word.
C
Pro 9:8 here is something to which you should give some attention. It hits you square between the eyes. Since that's true, I'm certain you won't acknowledge it.
2Tim4:2 was instruction for me, even though you despise my obedience.
So, I'm still waiting for you to tell me your age, if you're not too embarrassed about the way you've behaved.
That isnt Marsha sing the song........
cont9
Matt 9:38 "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
The difference, though you REFUSED to see it, was there BEFORE you objected to my words.
If you would have simply thought about ALL my words, and pondered them, you wouldn't have made your error.
I never said it's WRONG to pray for the wicked. I said "you're never instructed to pray for sinners... ."
It was NOT hard for you to understand what I meant and you're being contentious.
Best regards
Straight or gay, right or wrong The anointing can come to any. Ever hear of a prophet called Baalam? "I Saw the Light", "Why Me Lord" and others written by drunks, drug addicts and other sins and yet the /songs/ are anointed. Quit pointing out and hating the sinners. Pray for them. Hate the sins not the sinners. And like Christ love them, seek them out, pray for them and love them to Christ. You will never preach them to heaven preaching hate.