Exeter Seventh-day Adventist Church

What should be our attitude toward those who are suffering with AIDS? It’s in the Bible, Galatians 4:14, TLB. “But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you didn’t reject me and turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God, or even Jesus Christ himself.” When Jesus was here on earth, He showed compassion and love and forgiveness to everyone. He touched and healed lepers who were shunned and condemned by society because of their disease—much as are AIDS sufferers today (see Luke 5:12, 13). To a woman caught in the act of adultery He said, “Neither do I condemn you. . . . Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11, NIV). We are to show the same compassion and love for others—no matter what their sins or lifestyle—that Jesus demonstrated. It’s in the Bible, John 15:12, NIV. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

If we expect to be forgiven, we need to practice forgiveness. It's in the Bible, Matthew 6:15, NIV. "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

AIDS is not always contracted by immoral behavior, like through blood transfusions, unsanitary needles, or genetics. But sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented when God's will is obeyed. It's in the Bible, Exodus 20:14, NIV. "You shall not commit adultery." Leviticus 18:22, NIV says, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."