Lately it seems that every Christian writer or publication that I read is writing about homosexuality and how same sex marriage is going to rip the church apart.First of all if we allow this issue to rip the church apart it is our own fault. Let me state unequivocally that I believe that homosexual sex is a sin and that same sex marriage goes against Gods plan for humanity. As someone who believes the bible literally I don't see how there can be any other option.
That aside, I believe battle lines are being drawn that are not necessary. I would guess that sexual sin makes up a large percentage of all committed sin and many of us need to be on our knees seeking forgiveness and repentance before the Lord.The problem as I see it is that the opposing sides on this argument are galvanizing to a point where both sides are in need of repentance.I believe that God desires all men to be saved and to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I also know that once you submit to the Lordship of Christ the Holy Spirit will move in you life to form a new creation. And what is too hard for God. Lately I have been reading articles that there is no "gay gene" and that homosexuality is a learned behavior.I recently took a very Christian based introduction to Biology through Liberty University and if there is one thing I took away from it , it is that we are only beginning to understand this marvelous gift called life.I often joke when the bills are piling up "Why wasn't I born a Kennedy?", but then I look around and realize that compared to many I am very blessed. Others argue that God would never create someone with homosexual inclinations but I have two thoughts about that.1) You are most likely suppressing some tendencies of your own and 2) Who are you to say what God is and is not allowed to do. God created many people in ways that I don;t understand, yet I realize these persons were born that way through no actions of their own
So where am I going with this. Should we allow gay clergy and allow our churches to perform same sex marriage ceremonies? Absolutely not! But on the other hand neither should we be out there beating homosexuals over their head with our Bibles I think we should be loving them, helping to lead them to a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and then disciplining them as we allow the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts and actions. Because I do believe in the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit and if a miracle is what is needed to lead a homosexual out of this lifestyle that it is a miracle I am believing for in their life. I have always said that if God was able to take me from where I was and bring me to where I am than He can surely forgive, accept and change anyoneAlso I don't believe that any practicing homosexual is going to suddenly change their orientation because of one written article that spends half its time beating them up. But I do believe that if we enter the conversation exhibiting the Love of Christ and letting them no what changes the Lord has brought into our lives than we might just ,first, get them saved and second, allow the Holu Spirit to enter their lives and convict them of their sin and deliver them from any bondage that is getting between them and their relationship with the Lord
As the saying goes. I am not going to judge someone just because they sin differently than I do. What I will do is pray for them and try to lead them to the one who will ultimately judge them and hope that I can disciple them with the convicting help of the Holu Spirit to deliver them from bondage
Col. 3:17
Hugh
