Where do we stand?

The increasing activism of the LGBT community for acceptance and equality has become worldwide. Some Churches are silent. Others spoke with condemnation. There are some who are in agreement with LGBT’s cry for the approval of gay marriage.I do not want to miss that some churches provide a community for those who pursue change. Now, as Christians where do we stand in all of these?…

The recent collapse of Exodus International (an international ministry outreach for the homosexuals) has led many to a deeper level of confusion. Worst, it has led some  to give up their pursuit to change. For me, and for those who are in journey of healing and change, this is a good reminder that we must anchor our hope to Jesus and not on people or organizations around. People and organization change but Jesus and His Word never change. In all these confusions in the body of Christ, we still have one hope of clarity~God and His Word. We go back to the bible.

So what does the bible say about homosexuality?

We have to clarify some terms here before we proceed. There is a tendency to confuse homosexual tendencies and feelings with acts of homosexual intercourse because the English word “homosexuality” is often used to describe both.

However, regardless of how we interpret the Bible’s teachings about homosexual acts, it is important to note that the Bible does not condemn people for having homosexual tendencies. It is certain actions that are prohibited by Bible teachings, not tendencies or feelings.We sin when we do the acts (engaging in same-sex intimate relationships, same-sex intercourse, etc.)

Some of the members of the LGBT believe that the bible affirms homosexual acts. They even have the so-called “gay gospel”. which is mostly based on misinterpretation of the “Biblical era culture”. Christian bible reference (http://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_homosexuality.htm) has provided the ff. Q and A as a reference.

Q1.Are Homosexual Relationships Mentioned in the Bible?It is sometimes said that the friendship between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:3-4, 2 Samuel 1:26) was an example of a homosexual relationship. The relationships between Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:14) and between Jesus and John (“the disciple Jesus loved” in John 13:23; 19:26; 21:7; 21:20) are also mentioned.

In modern Western culture we associate touching, kissing and the word “love” with a sexual relationship. But that was not at all the case in Biblical era culture. Most Bible scholars say these relationships were no more than close friendships. That is especially clear in the case of Jesus and John – the word translated as “loved” was the Greek word agape, which means kindness and respect rather than romantic or sexual love.

Q2.Does God Hate Homosexuals? That is a slogan used by some hate groups, but it does not come from the Bible and it is not consistent with Bible teachings (Genesis 1:31, Psalms 145:9, Matthew 5:43-45, John 3:16, Romans 5:8).

Q3. Will Homosexuals go to Heaven? The Bible does not make any distinction between homosexual people and anyone else in this regard. We are all sinners in our own ways (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), and the Bible says God will forgive any sin if a person sincerely repents and also forgives other people.Q4.Should a Christian oppose Gay Marriage and Partnerships?There is no mention of same-sex marriages or partnerships in the Bible, either for or against.

Some Christians are strongly opposed to legalizing what they view as sinful behavior and a perversion of God’s plan for marriage and distinct gender roles (Genesis 2:24, 3:16-19, Leviticus 20:13, Mark 10:6-9). Other Christians view equal civil rights for gays and lesbians as a requirement of Bible teachings that we must act with kindness and respect for all people and avoid judging the moral choices others make (Matthew 22:37-40, Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 14:10-14, James 4:11-12 ).

Q5.Can Homosexual Men and Women be Ministers or other Clergy?The only mentions of qualifications for clergy are in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, and homosexuality is not mentioned there. All of us, including clergy, are imperfect and sinners in our own ways (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8). The question seems to be whether homosexuality should disqualify a person from ministry while other sins (e.g., evil thoughts, greed, deceit, envy, arrogance and folly, Mark 7:20-23) do not disqualify a person. There are obviously different opinions.Q6.How Should I Treat a Gay or Lesbian person? Should I Shun a Gay or Lesbian Person?Ironically, homosexuality also poses a challenge for heterosexual Christians. We may let feelings of contempt or fear lead us into the sin of self-righteousness. But Jesus and other New Testament leaders taught by word and example not to be self-righteous or shun or discriminate against those we consider to be “sinners” (Matthew 9:10-13, Luke 7:36-48, 18:9-14).

Further, Jesus told us to eliminate the sins in our own lives rather than passing judgment or looking down on others. For if we judge other people harshly, we will, in turn, be judged harshly:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (NIV, Matthew 7:1-2)

Christians have a responsibility to correct matters of wrongdoing among themselves (Matthew 18:15-17), but this should always be done fairly and with compassion. We are never to take upon ourselves the task of judgment that belongs to God alone (Matthew 22:37-40, Hebrews 10:30, Romans 14:10-13, 1 Corinthians 4:5).

James makes it clear that we must treat others with mercy, not with judgment (criticism or condemnation) or partiality (prejudice or discrimination):

You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. (NRSV, James 2:8-13)

As Christians, we must remember that all of us are sinners in our own ways (Romans 3:21-24, 5:12, 1 John 1:8). Despite that, God loves all His children (Genesis 1:31, Psalms 145:9, Matthew 5:43-45, John 3:16, Romans 5:8). We cannot afford to let our feelings or fears about homosexuality blind us to Jesus’ commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39).

God loves the homosexuals (people) just as He loves heterosexuals. However in His holiness, He cannot tolerate sin (He hates homosexual acts or homosexuality as he hates adultery, slander, murder,etc.)God calls us to forsake our sinful ways and to repent  and to follow Him. He offers hope and healing for the sexually broken.  Jesus died for all (including homosexuals). Therefore just as salvation is available for heterosexuals, it is also available for homosexuals who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.To church leaders, pastors and christian ministers, the church is not just for people who do not have homosexual tendencies.Remember the Samaritan woman? Jesus meets her in the deep levels of her sexual brokenness.The church is meant to be a place of healing for the broken.I bless those churches and church leaders who amidst the pressure to conform to the trend of supporting homosexuality choose to remain in the Truth. Who amidst their fear of being labeled & ridiculed choose to lead the broken ones to Jesus as the source of healing and change. They are faithful enough in showing God’s grace to the sexually broken. ..

Now as Christians whether we have homosexual tendencies or not, the question is where do we stand?