I didn't want to write this....
....and I'm certainly nervous about posting it...But God won't let it off my heart. I'm being confronted with it almost on a daily basis, and know that it's time that I really seek out what the Bible says about it. So this is the question at hand today:
How does a disciple of Christ respond to homosexuality in our confused culture?
Let's face it. The tide of tolerance is shifting in our country and statistically the LGBT community is gaining acceptance from the majority of the population. Just this week, the world seemed astonished to hear Pope Francis declare "If [gay people] accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them?" I think the world wants to know: Does the attitude of the Pope represent the views of the Church as a whole? But I want to know: Would Jesus himself say the same thing?
I guess this soul-stirring began because I've been watching too much TV this summer. (Maybe not the best use of my time....???) But I do enjoy watching shows about real people and their real lives. Not trashy, high-drama reality shows, but programs like "House Hunters" on HGTV and "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC. My kids also enjoy watching these shows with me...but the truth is that as my kids are exposed to the different lifestyles of others on these programs, it's just a matter of time until I am confronted with questions like "why are two men buying a house together?" and "why are two women trying on dresses for their wedding?". Jeremy and I have never tried to "shelter" our children from social issues such as this, but rather chosen to continually point them to Jesus' teaching on the matter so that they can form their own opinions rooted in God's truth. So, now that the Beehnie Babies are growing older, it's time that I really confront any of my personal prejudices and ask God to teach me how to think about this matter.
Just Google "What does Jesus say about homosexuality?" and you'll get a schooling on the wide variety of opinions out there. Many claim that Jesus' "silence" on the issue indicates that it really wan't that big of a deal to him. They claim "if being gay is such a sin, why didn't Jesus ever speak a word about it?" However, it's also interesting to note that Jesus also remained "silent" on other major social issues such as kidnapping, human trafficking, drug use, incest, and more. Could it possibly mean that Jesus is okay with all of these moral injustices?
The fact of the matter is that Jesus DID have a few things to say that are worthy to rock my thinking. Jesus said, "If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world." (John 12:47) Jesus also commands, "Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
So what can we deduce from Jesus' teachings?
1. Do not judge.
2. Love.
It's simple. This is how Jesus teaches us to treat people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, profession, or personal beliefs. Because the ultimate, bottom line truth is this: "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We ALL desperately need a Savior. Every single one of us on planet Earth, no exceptions. None of us are perfect, so we have no right to judge. We have ALL made choices that separate us from God's best for our lives.
Together, our family is learning about this kind of crazy love. According to the lyrics of a favorite song: "A different kind of love. The kind of love that gives and forgives, doesn't judge but extends a helping hand. A love that finds a need and fills it. A love that shares hope, vision and dreams. A love that's not relevant, but revolutionary." God has been so good to give our family opportunities to practice putting this love into action. Sometimes we've passed the test well, and many other times we've failed miserably. Last week in Haiti, Jeremy and a friend were able to counsel a widowed woman who had to resort to prostitution to provide for her children. Does this mean that we think prostitution is okay? NO. Should we still share the love of Christ with this woman? YES. I have made friends with a woman who is in prison for killing a man when she was working as a stripper. Does this mean that I approve of homicide and exotic dancing for financial gain? NO. Should I still love her like Jesus loves her? YES. I went grocery shopping with what seemed to be every single person in Northwest Arkansas last Saturday afternoon at the local Walmart Supercenter...well, we won't discuss how well I showed love in that trial. :-) Regardless, I'm thankful that God keeps giving us opportunities to grow in our Christ-like love. I know we still have MUCH learning still to do--inside our home and out. But we know one thing for sure: LOVE IS OUR MISSION.
However, loving others has its challenges. I believe that one of the biggest obstacles for mission-minded Christians today is a shameful history of self-righteous religious haters who spew condemnation for anyone that is not just like them. Rooted in fear, pride, and ignorance, these people who take it upon themselves to expose the sins of others actually turn people off to Jesus. Remember that part of scripture when Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3). Hate never drew anyone to the Author of Salvation...in fact, I'm sure it pushes them farther away. I'm not suggesting we water down the truth of the Word (see 2 Timothy 4:2), but instead encourage us to follow Jesus' example: He spoke the truth in love--not sugar-coating the severity of sin, but drawing people to himself with loving-kindness.
I think this is what each believer has to sort out with the Spirit's help: how do we show unconditional love without compromising what we know to be Scriptural truth? How can we be non-judgmental ambassadors for Christ while holding fast to the unchanging foundation of God's Word?
The Bible gives us the answers to these kinds of questions:
1. God is the Judge. Jesus continues on to say in John 12: "For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [BUT] There IS a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day." (emphasis mine) We WILL all be judged by our choices.
2. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for ALL sin. His gift of forgiveness is free to everyone--gay, straight, red and yellow, black and white...and He gives us the choice to say yes or no. However, those who accept Christ's forgiveness through his sacrifice on the cross are free from condemnation. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
3. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. In John 16:8, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit who "will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment." Jesus does NOT give Christians the job to point the finger at every sin--because as Paul says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
How does a disciple of Christ respond to homosexuality in our confused culture?
Let's face it. The tide of tolerance is shifting in our country and statistically the LGBT community is gaining acceptance from the majority of the population. Just this week, the world seemed astonished to hear Pope Francis declare "If [gay people] accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them?" I think the world wants to know: Does the attitude of the Pope represent the views of the Church as a whole? But I want to know: Would Jesus himself say the same thing?
I guess this soul-stirring began because I've been watching too much TV this summer. (Maybe not the best use of my time....???) But I do enjoy watching shows about real people and their real lives. Not trashy, high-drama reality shows, but programs like "House Hunters" on HGTV and "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC. My kids also enjoy watching these shows with me...but the truth is that as my kids are exposed to the different lifestyles of others on these programs, it's just a matter of time until I am confronted with questions like "why are two men buying a house together?" and "why are two women trying on dresses for their wedding?". Jeremy and I have never tried to "shelter" our children from social issues such as this, but rather chosen to continually point them to Jesus' teaching on the matter so that they can form their own opinions rooted in God's truth. So, now that the Beehnie Babies are growing older, it's time that I really confront any of my personal prejudices and ask God to teach me how to think about this matter.
Just Google "What does Jesus say about homosexuality?" and you'll get a schooling on the wide variety of opinions out there. Many claim that Jesus' "silence" on the issue indicates that it really wan't that big of a deal to him. They claim "if being gay is such a sin, why didn't Jesus ever speak a word about it?" However, it's also interesting to note that Jesus also remained "silent" on other major social issues such as kidnapping, human trafficking, drug use, incest, and more. Could it possibly mean that Jesus is okay with all of these moral injustices?
The fact of the matter is that Jesus DID have a few things to say that are worthy to rock my thinking. Jesus said, "If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world." (John 12:47) Jesus also commands, "Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
So what can we deduce from Jesus' teachings?
1. Do not judge.
2. Love.
It's simple. This is how Jesus teaches us to treat people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, profession, or personal beliefs. Because the ultimate, bottom line truth is this: "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We ALL desperately need a Savior. Every single one of us on planet Earth, no exceptions. None of us are perfect, so we have no right to judge. We have ALL made choices that separate us from God's best for our lives.
Together, our family is learning about this kind of crazy love. According to the lyrics of a favorite song: "A different kind of love. The kind of love that gives and forgives, doesn't judge but extends a helping hand. A love that finds a need and fills it. A love that shares hope, vision and dreams. A love that's not relevant, but revolutionary." God has been so good to give our family opportunities to practice putting this love into action. Sometimes we've passed the test well, and many other times we've failed miserably. Last week in Haiti, Jeremy and a friend were able to counsel a widowed woman who had to resort to prostitution to provide for her children. Does this mean that we think prostitution is okay? NO. Should we still share the love of Christ with this woman? YES. I have made friends with a woman who is in prison for killing a man when she was working as a stripper. Does this mean that I approve of homicide and exotic dancing for financial gain? NO. Should I still love her like Jesus loves her? YES. I went grocery shopping with what seemed to be every single person in Northwest Arkansas last Saturday afternoon at the local Walmart Supercenter...well, we won't discuss how well I showed love in that trial. :-) Regardless, I'm thankful that God keeps giving us opportunities to grow in our Christ-like love. I know we still have MUCH learning still to do--inside our home and out. But we know one thing for sure: LOVE IS OUR MISSION.
However, loving others has its challenges. I believe that one of the biggest obstacles for mission-minded Christians today is a shameful history of self-righteous religious haters who spew condemnation for anyone that is not just like them. Rooted in fear, pride, and ignorance, these people who take it upon themselves to expose the sins of others actually turn people off to Jesus. Remember that part of scripture when Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3). Hate never drew anyone to the Author of Salvation...in fact, I'm sure it pushes them farther away. I'm not suggesting we water down the truth of the Word (see 2 Timothy 4:2), but instead encourage us to follow Jesus' example: He spoke the truth in love--not sugar-coating the severity of sin, but drawing people to himself with loving-kindness.
I think this is what each believer has to sort out with the Spirit's help: how do we show unconditional love without compromising what we know to be Scriptural truth? How can we be non-judgmental ambassadors for Christ while holding fast to the unchanging foundation of God's Word?
The Bible gives us the answers to these kinds of questions:
1. God is the Judge. Jesus continues on to say in John 12: "For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [BUT] There IS a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day." (emphasis mine) We WILL all be judged by our choices.
2. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for ALL sin. His gift of forgiveness is free to everyone--gay, straight, red and yellow, black and white...and He gives us the choice to say yes or no. However, those who accept Christ's forgiveness through his sacrifice on the cross are free from condemnation. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
3. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. In John 16:8, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit who "will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment." Jesus does NOT give Christians the job to point the finger at every sin--because as Paul says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
4. Disciples of Christ are called to love. It is not our job to judge, save, or convict. 1 John 4:20-21 says "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
6. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and Jesus himself is the Word from the beginning of time (John 1:1-2). Jesus was "with God" from the very beginning, and only manifested as a human in his 33 years on Earth. So, God's recorded Word from the Creation in Genesis until the last Amen in Revelation are Jesus' words. Just because the red print in the Gospels doesn't record a quote from Jesus' teachings while on earth does NOT mean that he was silent on the issue. (2 Timothy 3:16)
So, what DOES the Bible say about homosexuality? The fact of the matter is that homosexuality has existed since Genesis--not too long after the fall of man (Genesis 19). It's not a new issue, and God has quite a bit to say about it. So, I encourage you to check it out for yourself. The Bible is clear about God's plan for relationships and marriage. Here are some references:
Genesis 2:24
Leviticus 18:22
Matthew 19:4-6
Romans 1:26-27
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18
1 Timothy 1:9-10
Jude 7
However, we must remember...our Christian response does not change:
1. Do not judge-- because we all sin.
2. Love unconditionally.
If Christians can love well, the way that Christ did, not excusing sin but showing loving-kindness that leads to repentance---that's when we will see people turning to Jesus. That IS the goal, and that IS our mission. Loving people to Jesus and watching HIM change their lives.
One more thing, to my homosexual friends and family, I am deeply grieved for any hurt or shame or condemnation you have felt from any church, Christian organization, or individual Christian. I pray that you will know Jesus personally, and that your life will be transformed by His love. I want to know and understand your thoughts, so please feel free to email me at acceptthegift@att.net so we can continue this peaceful dialogue.
Blessings,
Katie
One more thing, to my homosexual friends and family, I am deeply grieved for any hurt or shame or condemnation you have felt from any church, Christian organization, or individual Christian. I pray that you will know Jesus personally, and that your life will be transformed by His love. I want to know and understand your thoughts, so please feel free to email me at acceptthegift@att.net so we can continue this peaceful dialogue.
Blessings,
Katie
Great post Katie, it's exactly what I believe and what my church (Catholicism) teaches.
ReplyDelete