Specifically, the church having a proper response to the issue.
Let me be clear: God has called all Christians to “hate the sin, but love the sinner.” I am sure you have heard that before. The sad part is that Christians have traditionally had a HORRIBLE response to the topic. While we openly embrace people who battle with lust, adultery, over-eating, addictions of all sorts, lying, cheating and stealing, homosexuality is like the black plague to Christians. That is WRONG.
To be honest, there was a time in my life when I was that Christian. That was unfortunate for me. It is something I have repented from.
In recent days, God has put people in my life that battle this sin. One close, personal friend of mine recently confided in me about his battle with same-sex attraction. After spending a large amount of time battling God and himself over the issue, he decided to get some help. He enrolled and graduated from a program sponsored by Exodus International. He admitted to me that it was the hardest thing he had ever done. I can only imagine. However, the place he is in right now with both God and himself are indescribable.
Since graduating from the program, my friend has had opportunities to debate secularists and speak at pastor’s conferences and churches on the topic of homosexuality. In fact, he has been given the opportunity to lead a Bible study in a place where homosexuality thrives. God is using this guy in huge ways! He has never been more excited and uncomfortable at the same time.
During a conversation with him, he said, “I no longer blame God for the desires I have. Instead, I now consider myself privileged that God has blessed me with such a burden. I now have the opportunity to tell a bunch of people about my experiences and how I overcame them by the Grace of God.” Sounds crazy and fictional, but it’s true. If you didn’t read it above, let me reiterate: God is really using this guy.
One glaring difference between this friend of mine and many other homosexuals is that he had the love and support from a couple of his Christian buddies. They accepted him for who he was. They loved him for who he was. They encouraged because of who he was. What is/was he? A creation of God that is prone to sin just like you and I. My friends admits that if it wasn’t for these close friends of his, he doesn’t know where he would be today.
This is an example of how the church should respond to any sin. We respond in love. We offer encouragement and support. We don’t love and encourage the sin, but we love and encourage the sinner.
Are you a Christian who battles with how you are going to respond to homosexuality in your community, church or ministry. If so, I would encourage you to do some reading on the topic. Pray about your attitude and response. Build-up, don’t tear down. Know going into it that you are going to make mistakes, respond wrong sometimes, and royally mess up. However, it will get better. God will use you if you open yourself up to the possibility.
Here are some resources to check out (these were passed on to me by my friend):
- Exodus International – one of the leading resources for individuals looking to overcome homosexuality in their life.
- Worthy Creations – a ministry that uses the Exodus International material as they minister to homosexuals and other people dealing with sexual addiction-type sin in South Florida.
- Homosexuality 101 – a professor from Palm Beach Atlantic University discusses the cause of homosexuality. I know there are differing opinions on the subject, this is just one of them…one that my friend recommended that I check out.
