God and Gays – Make Up Your Mind (Part 6)
All of these things [trials, temptations, tribulations] They are wonderful opportunities to confirm or deny our commitment to Christ. It is an opportunity to defy temptation and stand up for what is right, despite peer pressure (Matthew 10:32-33). We can make things easier or harder for ourselves. Either you are totally convinced that God’s way is right and worth living, or you are not sure and continually risk breaking it; tormenting yourself and sending mixed signals and mixed signals (Matt. 6:24; 7:16). When you are at the crossroads, it is here or there. You can’t have it both ways (Rev. 3:15). You should have made up your mind at baptism.
Will you honor your decision or break your vows? Those who have chosen to follow the Noble Path cannot afford to play with fire, flirt with death, or risk living on the edge (Jude 23; Zechariah 3:2). They have to learn to quickly say no to sin. “He who doubts is lost.” So they must get “caught in their ways.” They know that it is now or never, do or die, and that nothing can compare to what God has in store for them (Hebrews 11:25-26; Matthew 13:46).
The fire of God will purify you or destroy you. The choice is yours. Will it become a great success or end in miserable failure (Mal. 3:2)? You better put your lust in the dust, because everything in this world is about to end and a new world begins; therefore, God expects us to take note and act accordingly (1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:11). Just as God has something in store for his saints, he also has something in store for sinners (2 Peter 3:7). Don’t worry, everyone will get their fair share (Rev. 22:12).
Use of available resources
With a clear vision of the Kingdom of God and a sober vision of things to come, we can overcome every obstacle in Christ (John 16:33). But how can we keep our heads up when the whole world is crashing down around us (Luke 21:28)? Realizing that we are much closer to the time when God will pick up the pieces and start anew (John 6:12; Acts 1:6). But how can we avoid “losing it” while we wait (Rev. 3:11)? By being “baptized!” We must be immersed in the Word and saturated with the Spirit of God (Luke 3:16). That is the only way to be “in Christ.” That is an atomic statement. It is not meant to be just an empty spiritual cliché. It’s packed with POWER and ENERGY!
Our growth and development depends on how often (and to what extent) we take advantage of our available resources (Matt. 13:23). Only we can hold back or back down (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
We are authorized to exercise “veto power” over any unlawful thought or action. We must wield the Spirit of God (Romans 8:13) and learn to wield our lightsaber like an expert (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:15). We have orders to search and destroy (2 Corinthians 13:5; Ga. 5:24), and to follow our Leader wherever he goes (Romans 8:14; 1 Peter 2:21).
The flesh and blood of Jesus are our rations (John 6:47-63). God’s Word can energize us and his Spirit sustain us, but it must become our daily bread. Are we using what we have been given, investing our assets wisely, or are we simply wasting our “time and money” (Isaiah 55:2)? You have to use it or you will lose it (Luke 19:11-27)! We will really need this heavenly assistance to “walk on the water” and not let our hearts sink within us whenever we hear rude remarks or insensitive comments from Christians, people whom we hope understand our situation and appreciate our efforts (Ps. 41:9).
God expects us to get out of our way, to forgive and forget, when we burn out (Col. 3:13). He doesn’t want us to fall into the trap of arguing back and forth (1 Peter 3:9). We are to share Scripture, not exchange cutting comments (1 Cor. 14:26; Ps. 50:20)! As Satan seeks to divide and conquer, may he instead find unity in diversity (1 Corinthians 12:12). Since we have such a high calling, let us not act below ourselves.
growing breads
Some Christians don’t know how to deal with homosexuality. Everything is new and scary for them. That’s understandable. But now they have an obligation to learn how to handle themselves when faced with this problem. We must be patient with them and pray that they will be tolerant of us. We shouldn’t force them with “everything you never wanted to know about homosexuality!” They could get sick. Each grows at their own pace. Some “growing pains” are expected down the road. We must accept and respect these facts of life and avoid sibling rivalry.
Meanwhile, we can try to make the best of a bad situation (Rom. 12:18). Don’t be judgmental, but be careful. Don’t trip anyone or help them overcome their mental block (Rom. 14:13). This is the way of love: don’t hold grudges!
What about AIDS victims? Are they victims or did they knowingly put themselves in danger? Should we befriend these social outcasts or let them lie in the bed they’ve made? What about sympathy? Am I my brother’s keeper? Can’t I weep over the suffering that sin causes (Jeremiah 9:1)? Don’t these “lepers” need love? They are not necessarily worse than others (Luke 13:1-5). Time and chance struck them down (Eccl. 9:11). They need our prayers and tender loving care, not our cold-hearted stars. Also, if everyone who has sinned got sick, we would all be in intensive care! “Except for the grace of God, here I go” had better become our attitude. God showed his love to us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
Masturbation: is it right or wrong? He’s the lesser of two evils, but he’s still evil. Didn’t Jesus say that if you’ve desired someone, you’ve already had “sex” with that person? Sex is mental, not just physical. Isn’t masturbation usually accompanied by explicit fantasies? What is the difference between them and dirty movies or obscene magazines? Don’t they all add fuel to the fire? Aren’t you tempted to comply? Doesn’t he weaken his will, give up his determination and ruin his spiritual day? Isn’t lust like a drug: intoxicating and addictive? There is no “time out” for a Christian. Ask God for help in this area and know that he will receive it. He learns to resist sin, not God.
Same person, different perception
Homosexuality is here whether we like it or not. I have been all over the world and I have seen that it is everywhere. We can’t just wish it because it won’t go away. Pretending it doesn’t exist is fooling no one but yourself. We have to face the facts, regardless of how uncomfortable they may make us feel.
As stated in the “Family Network” section of “Better Homes and Gardens” (when my November 1992 letter/issue was published): Perhaps you are the parent or friend of a lesbian or gay person. Don’t pretend if you have to; just remember that nothing has changed about that person except your perception of him or her. Treat them according to her personality, not her sexuality. Perhaps you would deny that it could ever occur in your family or intrude on your circle of friends. Don’t pretend if he does. It’s not the end of the world. The sun will continue to rise and life will continue. Perhaps you are not sure of your own sexuality. This is for sure: everything you’ve ever loved or enjoyed about your friendship or company remains the same. Don’t be mad if they didn’t tell you. Such anger would only justify their fears of being “discovered.” Maybe they didn’t want to risk losing your friendship. It obviously means a lot to them. Express your disapproval of their practice, if necessary. But reject it, not them. Is that asking too much? Life is too short to allow misunderstandings to arise between us. We are encouraged to be reasonable; not engage in emotional debates or heated arguments (Isaiah 1:18). Let’s avoid such distractions in the front row. Remain cool, calm and collected (2 Timothy 2:23-25). Build bridges, not walls. Make your point and leave it.
one big happy family
So there, now you have it. What the Bible really says about homosexuality. I guess I did something right since I get complaints from both sides: the Christian and gay communities. It just goes to show that you can’t please everyone! Some say I’m too tough; others say I’m too slow. Let everyone at least clean something up. Others are initially discouraged, but are then encouraged to make the necessary changes in their lives (2 Chronicles 7:8-11).
Some might even smell, “I told you so.” If so, you have missed the point. Those prejudiced preachers may deliver the same basic message, but their style and tone of voice is not like the Father’s (John 10:1-5). This little flyer is a “love letter” not hate mail! Not everyone who tells the truth has the right attitude or motivation. “A truth that is told with bad intentions surpasses all the lies you can invent.” We are here to help gather, not disperse; encourage people to come to Christ, not to shut their heels; to make it easier, not harder, to repent (Acts 16:16-18; Philippians 1:15-18).
“He only deserves his life and his freedom who conquers them anew every day” (Goethe). May we grow stronger and more deeply appreciate our deliverance, making sure to never take it for granted (Deut. 5:15). Caution cannot be stressed enough. We have to be very careful not to fall back into our old routine, going nowhere (Gal. 5:1). We cannot afford a relapse into sin that would only send us into a tailspin (John 5:14). We are to be homosexuals in recovery, getting better and stronger (2 Timothy 2:26).
it’s a daily struggle
If Christ gave everything, His everything for this relationship, can’t we at least sacrifice a little? Is sex really that important or is it worth dying for? I know he feels good, but he won’t feel so good in the Lake of Fire! May your love for God be greater than your lust for men (Isaiah 56:4-5).
The Jewish proverb that “every beginning is difficult” is true. But that old saying doesn’t just state a fact, it offers us hope that things will get better with time. They do. We just have to hang in there. Climb Jacob’s Ladder one run at a time. Don’t give up when God hasn’t! I know from personal experience how difficult it can be, but I also know that it is worth it. I wouldn’t have given up on John, my ex-lover, for God’s sake if I didn’t believe what I’ve written! I went through hell, at first, really wondering if there is an afterlife, a resurrection, if Jesus is the Christ, if homosexuality is incompatible with scripture; What if he was completely wrong? How could I find another lover like that, etc.? But I have survived and have become stronger. I don’t take my beliefs for granted, I know they are true!
Old habits and ways of thinking can be replaced. New habits and ways of doing things can be ingrained. Divine nature can begin to replace our human nature, because God can and does heal minds and bodies! He is familiar with broken hearts and unhappy lives, and he can mend them (Matt. 11:28). We can be made complete in Christ. He wants us all to become “One big happy family”: the Kingdom of God.