For some, you are offended because of the title alone. Why? Because people who are homosexually inclined (same-sex attraction, but not sexually involved) or homosexually active (engaged in sexual activity) are gross to you. Whether it is a sin or not- which I will address, so hold on, it just doesn't make sense to you. You can watch on TV two heterosexuals engage in premarital sex (yes, that is still a sin) and you will not bat an eye. You may even feel happy for them if you enjoy the show and you like the characters.
Yet, if two men kiss on TV, you have to turn the channel or at the least, make a comment out loud that shows your disproval. And for some, well they hit the computer to email protests of this great perversion on TV. Interesting how people never protest the comedy that regularly shows heterosexuals engaging in casual sex. I wonder what has damaged young minds more? Homosexual behaviors or watching their parents engage with a TV show that promotes carefree, non-marital sex amongst heterosexuals.
Yet, if two men kiss on TV, you have to turn the channel or at the least, make a comment out loud that shows your disproval. And for some, well they hit the computer to email protests of this great perversion on TV. Interesting how people never protest the comedy that regularly shows heterosexuals engaging in casual sex. I wonder what has damaged young minds more? Homosexual behaviors or watching their parents engage with a TV show that promotes carefree, non-marital sex amongst heterosexuals.
My belief is not only is there a place for those who have same-sex attractions, but there is a place to thrive in God's plans for their life. Just like there is a place for those of us who struggle with lust, pride, gossip, lack of faith, love of money, etc... In fact, I really dislike when we label people "Christian homosexual". Do we label other people in our church with their struggles. "Hey Jim, this is Ron. He is a Christian liar." "Hey Samantha, this is Dawn, she is a Christian lack-of-faither." We don't, so why do we label those who have same-sex attraction as Christian homosexuals? They are Christians, that's it.
So, is homosexual activity a sin? There is no way to avoid both old and New Testament scriptures that clearly state homosexual activity, not inclination, as a sin. Some of us might not like that it says it, but that is a different argument. The reality, I wish God didn't say that many behaviors were sin. But people do not decide (thank God!!) what is right or wrong, God does.
Here are clear Scriptures that speak to this issue: Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Romans 1:25-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 1 Timothy 1:3-11. There are more passages (ones that refer to sexual immorality) that first century Christians would have interpreted as addressing homosexual activity as sin. To deduce that the passages above do not address homosexual engagement would be at the least, a poor exegesis and inevitably lead toward a revisionist stance toward scripture. We don't justify pride, cheating, abuse, greed and idolatry, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, etc... we don't do it for homosexual activity.
So how does the church respond? I would respond to a non-follower of Jesus who is heterosexual or homosexual the same way. I want them to hear and see the gospel and to respond to God's grace. They don't clean up their life then follow Jesus, they start following and allow God's Spirit to change them. They need to know I love them just like any one else and that their sins are no greater than mine. They need truth with love just like everyone else in the world.
To the Christian who is homosexually inclined we walk closely with them to help in their struggles and encourage them in their victories. The hardest part for us is to allow a Christian struggling with homosexuality to share openly and honestly without feeling condemned or shamed. We must be careful not to over-promise healing when complete healing is not a promise in this life. God promises that He will be with us, not that He will take away every struggle or inclination for sin. Romans 7 & 8 gives clear insight into the struggle all of us face.
Can God change the desires of someone homosexually inclined? Absolutely. But if God desires Himself to be glorified through someone staying homosexually inclined, then He will do it. God has not healed me from the inclination to be angry, lust or self-serving. But He has given me great victory to not live a life where I am actively engaged in those inclinations. When I sense the tug to go there, I am strengthened by God's Spirit, God's Word and God's people to turn and obey God. Am I perfect, absolutely not. By God's grace I repent when I do sin. The battle is there, but I have weapons to fight it. Thus it is the same response we should have for those who want to honor God and are homosexually inclined. They won't be perfect, just like all of us.
Most Christians who are homosexually inclined want to ask God, why? The reality, we won't know till we are in Heaven. Many great Christians became powerful and influential through suffering. The great theologian Henri Nouwen (celibate homosexual), Author Joni Eareckson-Tada (quadriplegic), the Apostle Paul (constant physical/emotional pain) who asked God repeatedly to heal him and God replies, "My grace is all you need, my power works best in your weakness." Each of their sufferings brought many people to know Jesus and trust Him more. And this is the epitome of what it means to be a Christian.
It's vital that we understand the goal is not to make homosexuals turn heterosexual, the goal is to encourage them to honor Jesus Christ with their life. Thus the celibate life should be viewed as the highest calling (and toughest), not a "Plan B' calling if your not healed. Even Paul says it is best to remain single!! As we encourage those who struggle with same-sex attraction we cannot in our empathy make them feel like life is utterly bleak unless they are "healed". Life is not bleak for the person God creates with a physical or mental disability… it is not bleak for those he created in a poverty stricken country… it is not bleak for the homosexual. Our God uses those of us who are weak, discarded, tired, lonely and struggling to show his great mercy, love and power to those who have much.
So though I empathize with my brothers and sister who struggle with same-sex attraction, I will not feel hopeless for them. For their courage, struggle, perseverance and faith encourage me. They remind me that in my weakness I can and will turn to Jesus. They teach me that God is with me, even if he allows me to be broken. Their journey is not defined by their sexual orientation. Their journey is defined by their faith.
If you struggle with same-sex attraction will you please allow us to walk with you? Would you allow God to love you in the deepest and scariest parts of your soul? Don't hide in the body of Christ. Satan's great lie is that you can't tell anyone. Satan also uses shame to keep you from drawing into God and His people. It is vital to find a place that will encourage you to honor God and also show grace and compassion when you struggle or sin.
Honestly, I have more respect for Christians who suffer faithfully for God than any eloquent pastor, popular worship leader or any other Christian who serves a lot but suffers little. I think we do a disservice to God and Christians who have same-sex attraction by not respecting the position God has put them in. I will not view them as second class or heterosexuals in waiting. I view them as fully loved, fully saved and fully equipped to serve God with all their heart, soul and mind. And that's not only my view, but it's a biblical view of today’s godly Homosexual.
