I found this article to be very helpful in forming my perspective of and response to the popularity and dominance of the homosexual agenda. Our state is in the midst of constitutional debate about marriage. Many parts of the country are further along in that debate than Arkansas is.The popular opinion and the biblical perspective do not agree. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I must believe the Bible and view the culture through a biblical lens. It might be easier to believe the culture and view the Bible through a cultural lens. But we cannot do that and still profess Christianity.
So even though I know and love people who are homosexual (you know them, too), I need a response that is biblical. Too many of us want to raise the Bible high above our heads and raise our voices even higher. That comes across as condemnation...because it is. We are not called to condemn but to share the gospel.
I'm still working through emotions, beliefs, and responses. Maybe this article will help us maintain a Christ-like perspective toward homosexuality and build redemptive relationships with homosexuals.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-gospel-for-a-gay-friend/
2 comments:
Bob, what are the answers to the questions in the article, point 5, that someone might ask?
Marcia, here's some help with the questions.
We don't ignore parts of the Bible because all the Bible is God's word (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus said that he came not to do away with the law but to fulfill it. He said that not the least of the law would pass away until the end of time (Matthew 5:17-20). But yes, there are some parts of the law that were given to Israel at a point in time. The food laws are an example. They have changed as God gave a more or less restrictive command. Since all the Bible is God's word, we have to balance what is said in one place with what is said elsewhere. God is serious about all sin and must punish the sinner. Since the cross, the punishment is satisfied with the death of Jesus. Now the issue is not whether we are sinners - we all are - but whether we accept Jesus as our Savior.
According to Romans 1:26-27, homosexual behavior is a choice so God didn't create a person to be homosexual.
God favors committed relationships between people. The question is not whether God approves of a committed relationship but whether the level of commitment or intimacy is biblical. A sexual relationship between two people of the same sex is not biblical. Neither is a sexual relationship between two people of the opposite sex who are not married. Commitment is great but must be within biblical guidelines.
To expect a homosexual to become heterosexual is not the issue. Holiness is. Nobody is able to leave their sinfulness to be saved. The change happens after salvation when the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and works to transform them into the likeness of Christ. A homosexual doesn't have to change to accept the gospel; the gospel will change the homosexual.
Actually, Jesus did speak about homosexuality when he spoke about the godly design for marriage in Matthew 19:1-12. Jesus clearly said that marriage (the only appropriate place for sexual relations) is between one man and one woman. The implication is that homosexuality is against God's design for marriage and sexuality. And if we believe that Jesus is God and that all scripture is God's word, then everything written in the Bible about sexuality is Jesus speaking to the subject.
Being a Christian means a person is int he process of changing from what he was to what God wants him to be - that's the work of the Holy Spirit. No person who follows Christ can remain as they were - the particular sin is not the issue. We Christians are all being changed and should be drawn by our sins less and less. A liar will be less and less a liar as he yields his life to Christ. The same for the thief, the proud, or the homosexual. Jesus said that those who are true followers will be known by their fruit. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is (Matthew 7:21).
I hope this helps a little. We talked through this in Bible study last night and had to remember to show Christ's compassion. And we have to remember that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Our task is not to condemn but to show the path to redemption, forgiveness, and love.
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