What Does A Christian Response to Homosexuality Look Like In The Everyday?

[rapturefish]

I have friends and family who are gay - a couple of whom are merely acquaintances, one in particular whom I love dearly - I loved him long before I knew he was gay and nothing will ever change that. This is where it gets tough for me. I recognize and agree with Scripture when it says that homosexuality is a sin. However, these men and women are made in God's image - if only for that reason I hope I always treat them with respect. Seems to me that to do otherwise would be disrespecting God's creation, even if they are living in their sinful nature. While most, if not all, of the folks I worship with don't hesitate to call homosexuality the sin that it is, I think we're all respectful.

It's sort of funny - of the folks I work with I'm one of the more socially & politically conservative. Additionally, I'm more conservative (for lack of a better word) regarding faith. Many of the folks I work with fall into the "if it works for you" camp - they don't mind religion as long as it doesn't interfere with their personal desires. They're "good people" and they believe in God. Anyhow - while some of these same folks pride themselves on their tolerance, I've heard them make gay jokes that I would never, could never, say.

Oh - another quick story. Before I attended my current church I attended a United Church of Christ for a while. My parents were UCC - I appreciated their reformed roots - but I left after a few years because their of their liberal social policies. Anyhow - the UCC church I attended recently voted to leave the denomination because of their resolution to endorse gay marriage. They were the 66th church to leave the denomination since the UCC approved the resolution last summer. From what a friend who attends the church told me several other churches have left in the 2 weeks since. The other thing my friend told me - that the younger people of the congregation were the ones who really spoke out against homosexual marriage, the older folks were the ones who wanted to stay with the denomination. I think the young people of our country are starving for good, sound doctrine and theology. I thank God that there are men out there teaching that strong, Biblical doctrine.

This was supposed to be my 2cents worth - but I guess I expanded it to 5cents.

edie

Thank you for sharing that. It would be nice to have more responses like this, where we've met or interacted with gay people and how we've responded to them in light of beliefs from scripture and knowing gay people.

I've only had limited interaction with gay people. One was a former church member who couldn't stay with the church because they wouldn't change their views on homosexuality. He remains believing of the church's doctrines but on the gay issue he cannot say it is wrong because he feels he cannot change who he is.

Another person was a person in a former church of mine. She decided I was trustworthy enough to share about her attraction to girls. It totally surprised me because she was hinting and so on with what she was saying but I didn't pick any of it up until she said it straight. She is interesting because she is a believer and had recently joined that church, which she liked. Over time with that church she has had a good journey; she broke up a relationship with her partner (God made it thankfully easy and mutual) and she began to be attracted to the opposite sex. Now she's becoming more involved with her faith and it's a good thing. I treated her with nothing but respect and grace, as I should have.

And that's it really. I avoid gay jokes where possible and prepare my mindset for when I might have another interaction.

 

[McWilliams]

I've only had limited interaction with gay people. One was a former church member who couldn't stay with the church because they wouldn't change their views on homosexuality. He remains believing of the church's doctrines but on the gay issue he cannot say it is wrong because he feels he cannot change who he is.

That is a good example of one who knows they are sinning yet refuse to repent, thinking they can have it both ways and God will just wink at their sin and excuse them.

A lot of my exposure to homosexuals was during my work as a psych nurse where I had extensive interaction with them, taking their history and hearing the extent of their involvement with another in a truly depraved, sinful relationship. I, of course, was not allowed to confront their sin but did try to help them see the hopelessness of such a relationship. Some entered therapy following a breakup with their partner and experiencing intense thoughts of suicide.

It is such a temptation to be very 'nice' and accepting of such sin which God Himself called an abomination. Its as if we think we are being very 'christian' to display such tolerance of evil and allowing ourself to openly encourage friendship with such! Sin is, always was and always will be an abomination to God and those who practice such a continuing lifestyle will have no place in God's heaven. So says the bible in 2 Cor. In the workplace we must always be civil to perform our job but to be friendly and openly share friendly relations is not required.

 

[McWilliams]

Great article by A.W. Pink on 'Separation'.

http://www.the-highway.com/Separation.html