One of the challenges many Christians face in June is how to respond to Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQ+ identities and culture. Pride Month can be a source of confusion, frustration, and even fear for some Christians who believe that God’s design for sexuality and gender differs from what the world promotes. How can Christians navigate this cultural phenomenon gracefully and truthfully without compromising our convictions or alienating our neighbors?
Biblical Teachings on Homosexuality
The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin. In Romans 1:26-27, Paul describes homosexuality as a result of rejecting God and His natural order. He says that those who practice it receive in themselves the due penalty for their error. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10, Paul lists homosexuality among the sins that will exclude people from the kingdom of God. As Christians, we must acknowledge that remaining in any unrepentant sin, including sexual sin of any kind, denies anyone’s salvation.
However, the Bible also teaches that God can transform anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith. In 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul says that some of the Corinthians were formerly homosexuals, but they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God. Self-control is available through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). So, as Christians, we should love our LGBTQ+ neighbors and share the gospel with them.
What About Same-Sex Desire
According to the Bible, same-sex desire is a sin that stems from our fallen nature and contradicts God’s will for human sexuality. One of the key verses that address this issue is 1 Peter 2:11, where Peter urges Christians to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. The word passions here refers to any sinful desire that goes against God’s design and commandments. All sinful desires, including same-sex desires, are soul-destroying and lead us away from God.
In Galatians 5:16-25, Paul urges us to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh, which encompass sexual immorality in all forms. These passages make it clear that same-sex desire is sin and that we should not act on it or entertain it in our minds. The presence of same-sex desire does not indicate that individuals have strayed from God more than others. All of us have desires that are warped because of sin, and desires for things God has forbidden reflect how sin has distorted us, not how God has made us. But God can redeem and renew us by His grace and word.
Resisting Sinful Desires
Resisting sinful desires is a necessary step for all Christians in their journey to follow God’s will. Individuals must choose whether to turn away from desires outside God’s will or give in to them. Just as heterosexual individuals are called to resist desires to fantasize or find sexual fulfillment outside of marriage, those with same-sex desires are also called to resist such temptations.
In Mark 8:34, Jesus emphasizes the importance of self-denial, stating that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This applies to all areas of our lives, including resisting sinful sexual desires and pursuing a life that aligns with God’s word. As Christians, we should encourage one another to do the same.
The Church’s Historic View
Throughout history, the Christian Church has maintained that homosexuality is a sin. Jesus, who was raised from the dead by God, is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. He commissioned His Apostles to teach His Church to obey all His commandments, including the condemnation of sexual immorality and the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman for a lifetime. Furthermore, His Apostles detailed various forms of sexual immorality contrary to His teachings.
This historic Christian stance on sexual immorality stands in stark contrast to the prevailing worldview, and they are mutually exclusive – only one can be right. We have to choose whether we will follow God’s Word or the world’s opinion, even if it means being unpopular or persecuted by the world.
Christian Treatment of LGBTQ+ People
As Christians, it is our duty to treat all individuals, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, with respect, kindness, and compassion. It is crucial to acknowledge that some segments of the visible Church have weaponized theology against the LGBTQ+ community through hate. In response, we must strive to articulate our faith with grace. The Christian faith calls us to love one another, regardless of our differences.
Short-Sightedness and Eternal Consequences
The tragedy of Pride Month lies in its short-sightedness, failing to recognize the eternal consequences of unrepentant sin against God. Many within the LGBTQ+ community may not fully understand that those who adhere to a historic Christian view believe that all unrepentant rebellion against God will lead to eternal separation from Him. This ultimately could result in missing out on eternal life with God.
The concern for Christians is not about being on the wrong side of history but rather on the wrong side of eternity. The tragedy of Pride Month may be seen as the disregard for eternal consequences in favor of temporary acceptance and affirmation.
Christians who adhere to a biblical and historic Christian worldview do not hate or fear their LGBTQ+ neighbors. Instead, they speak up out of love and concern for their souls. They fear God and therefore fear for those who may be unknowingly jeopardizing their eternal salvation.
No one is beyond God’s love and mercy. He can forgive, heal, and help you overcome this temptation. He can also give you a new identity in Christ, who died for your sins and rose again for your justification. You are not defined by your feelings or attractions but by your relationship with Him.
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