Wow, what a subject. I am sure to get hate comments no matter what I say next. Rick Warren tweeted the following: “U can love people u disagree with & disagree with people u love.Calling anyone who disagree with u a “hater” is nonsense.” For all you grammar lovers out there my apologies but that is how he wrote it. But the spirit of the quote rings true. Why do we automatically dislike someone that disagrees with us? Anyway, that’s another topic for another day. Let’s get back to gay people.
This is a tough subject. There are so many views and beliefs that it would take to long to discuss them all. Let me give you my views and then we will go from there.
Born Gay or Decide to be Gay- A little of both. Let me clarify. I believe some people are born with the propensity to become gay. Boys may be naturally sensitive or fashionable and then are told they must be gay. Girls may act “manly” thereby becoming convinced they are lesbian. We seem to fit the mold that is created for us growing up. Note- I may be WAY off base here. Science is still shaky on all this and this is just my non-qualified observation. I don’t think we are born either gay or straight. I think the inclination to go one way or the other is there because of our personality and that society and outside pressures try to force us to fit what “they” deem is right for us. The question is what God deems is right for us.
Can Gay People be Saved- This is truly an ignorant question. YES!!!! Of course they can. Anyone can become a Christ-Follower. John 3:16- “God loved the WORLD so much He gave us His only son. WHOEVER believes in Him will be saved.” Nowhere in there did I see God loved the straight world so much He gave His Son. If any non-gays believe in Him they will be saved. Jesus is inclusive, not exclusive. All may come. All may believe.
Once You are Saved Can You Continue to Be Gay- Yep! I have been a Christ-Follower for around 29 years. While I am not gay I do still sin. I do things that God tells me not to do all the time. I am not saying it is right. I’m not saying you should continue to live the gay lifestyle. But like the Christian addicted to pornography or the Christian who can’t stop telling lies or gossiping it is something they must battle with. Even Paul, writer of most of the New Testament said-
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Romans 7:17-25, The Message)
The struggle with sin is nothing new. We all deal with sin every day. It is only through Jesus that we can overcome the things the separate us from God.
Do You Believe It is OK to Be Gay- Well, it depends. If you’re NOT a Christ-Follower then it doesn’t matter. There is no reason to not sin. I’m not saying go do whatever you want, but at the same time you aren’t held to the same standard as Christ-Followers. Is it ok for a Christ-Follower to live the gay and lesbian lifestyle? No, but no more than it is wrong for a Christ-Follower to have extra-marital affairs or for a Christ-Follower to be a gossip. Sin is sin. All sin, no matter what it is, separates us from God. Like Paul said earlier, it is Jesus and only Jesus that can set things right in this life of contradictions.
Do You Support Gay Rights- Tough one. Yes and no. I support Human Rights no matter the color, race, religion or sexual orientation. Do I believe Gay and Lesbians should be allowed to marry? Sure, why not let them suffer just like everyone else (kidding Honey-you’re the best). Seriously though, the Christ-Follower side of me says no as God said marriage is between a man and a woman. BUT, we don’t live in a God led society, we never have. We live in a Democracy. This is a Roman based society, not a Theocracy (led by God). So if the masses vote for Gay and Lesbians to have the right to marry will I be ok with it? Yes and no. I will not vote for it but I don’t consider it as big an issue as some others. Why? Because God told us to live a life of love that is a testimony to those around us, not to sit in judgment of those around us. If we as Christ-Followers did what God commanded us, Love God, Love Others, I don’t think this would be that big an issue. If we were the witness of God’s love that we are supposed to be more people would be Christ-Followers and that means that less people would be pushing for their God-opposed agenda.
We should focus on making more Christ-Followers and teaching and mentoring those that already are and we wouldn’t have to worry about the politics and agendas of people. Politicians will do what the people want. They will do what it takes to get elected. The more people that live by Judeo-Christian values the more politicians will work and vote us toward those values.
So there you go. My stance on Gay and Lesbians. They are NOT second class citizens. They are people just like us and deserve the same love and respect that any other person gets. Love God, Love Others. No one is left out of those commands.
Please Help- Right now in Uganda a law is being voted on to make being gay punishable by death. Pastor Rick Warren (quoted above) has close ties with the Ugandan leaders trough his work with AIDS. Please join me in emailing, writing, tweeting to him that we would like him to become involved in this. No matter your stance on the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle, life is precious and we as Christ-Followers should not let this stand. Here is a link to the story.
Death penalty for gays? Uganda debates proposal
Author Update- Pastor Rick Warren has been working with the Ugandan Government to deny this proposal and according to his last tweet has been partially successful. Keep up the Good work Pastor Warren.
It’s all about Him,
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