3 Suggestions for Christians on how to
approach the issue of homosexuality
As Christians we need to keep several things in mind regarding our responses, especially on social media, regarding homosexuality:
1. Be patient and kind with all people. Many of the people Christians debate on the issue of homosexuality are lost. Lost people are going to act like lost people because they are (just as we were) slaves to sin (Romans 6)
2. Balance your thoughts, actions and statements with these two facts in mind:
· Being drawn to any sinful action does not make it biblically acceptable, (Romans 1)
· Temptation itself is not a sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
3. Grace, compassion, love and truth guided by the Holy Spirit are always needed when dealing with all people. (Matthew 18:21-35)
Here’s a more detailed, explanation of each point:
1. *If someone is spiritually lost, their biggest problem is not any individual sin, regardless of how we may feel about it personally. The lost person’s need for Jesus is bigger than any other need they have. We will never make any progress, in my opinion, toward the salvation of someone when we focus on a particular sin in their lives. This is true whether or not they admit something they are doing is, in fact, a sin. In other words, we have to begin at a point of someone admitting they are a sinner first. You will have a much easier time getting someone to admit they have lied, taken something that doesn’t belong to them, hated someone, or even lusted in their hearts. Those sins are listed in the 10 commandments and are likely the best starting point for any conversation about someone being lost before a Holy God.
Many times, we as Christians feel obligated to rid the world of sin. We are convicted of our own sin and some sins seem to touch a bigger “nerve” with us than others. We must take seriously the truth of Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All sin leads to death, so as a loving Christian witness, someone’s eternal life should be far more important than whatever specific sins they may participate in.
* It should be noted that there are people who claim Christ as Lord who contend that practicing homosexuality is not a sin. In my opinion this conversation takes on a different light than a conversation with someone who does not claim to know Christ. The nature of salvation and that person’s understanding of what the Bible teaches about salvation are more appropriate with people who believe this way. You will never accomplish anything discussing something with someone who does not define terms in the same way you do.
2. Because when and how someone becomes a homosexual may be impossible to pinpoint, it would be wise for Christians to focus on behavior when asked to defend what the Bible says about homosexuality. Behavior (including thoughts and actions) is the determining factor regarding any sin. Jesus himself, according to Scripture was tempted in every way yet never sinned, so the temptation to any sin is not the sin itself.
This point comes down to an age-old argument of “nature” vs. “nurture”. Many Christians approach the subject of homosexuality from the standpoint that God could not have made someone to be a homosexual. Other Christians, however, contend that some people are indeed genetically predisposed to such a lifestyle. Science and research will likely not be much help in this area, because the pre-suppositions that every researcher brings to the table will undoubtedly cloud the issue.
Focusing on behavior changes the discussion entirely. Everyone is drawn to sin because we are sinners by nature (Romans 3:23). In this light, whether or not someone is born a homosexual really doesn’t matter, because we are all born with desires and temptations that we shouldn’t give in to. For example, the Bible is explicit regarding sexual sins. Sex outside the confines of biblically defined marriage of one man and one woman is wrong. There’s no need to take it further. While a man or woman may be born with a “wandering eye” or a desire to sleep with many people, it is clearly a sin to do so. In other words it doesn’t matter how someone is born, sex outside biblically defined parameters is wrong. This means that pornography, multiple spouses, homosexuality, and other sexual sins cannot be practiced even if you are born with the desire to do so.
3. 2 Corinthians 8:7 says, “But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.” The overriding theme of the New Testament is grace. Grace is born out of the nature of God which is love. I understand that God’s love, mercy and Grace are balanced by his righteous judgment. Grace however, is what saved a sinner like me, and it’s what will save any lost person if they are to be saved at all. This applies to all lost people, including homosexuals.
The parable Jesus taught in Matthew 18 addresses the issue of someone who has been forgiven a debt they would never be able to repay and then showing no mercy toward someone who owed a debt to the one who had been forgiven so greatly. Surely the point of this parable is obvious to the reader. If you are saved, then you have been shown mercy and grace beyond what you would ever be able to repay. The least we can do is show mercy and grace to those who have debts toward us.
The parable is not exactly a one to one comparison when you look closely, because while we are offended many times by the sinful actions of people we are not actually the ones who are owed any debt. Homosexuals in general don’t owe us an apology, but the principle does apply that we must show them grace. This is not up for debate.
May the love of Christ be the banner that goes before us!
In Christ,
Jay
