A Line In The Sand Moment For Christians
One of the biggest problems facing Christians today stems from being frozen in place by a dark cultural drift. We see it happening all around us but do not know how to respond. Dear friend, we can no longer stay on the sidelines. Sexual perversion is, and always has been, at the heart of the downfall of culture. What follows is my attempt to lessen the stigma often experienced by Christians regarding how to respond.
Before we begin a short definition of terms is necessary. In our current vernacular, a homophobe is someone who has “homophobia”. The word has two parts—phobia, which means fear and homo which has two possible meanings. Homosexual,identifying a person, someone who is “same sex attracted” or homosexuality, describing the generic term for same sex attraction or behavior.
I also want to make it clear here that we must separate the attraction from the behavior. I know several people who would admit to having same sex attractions that choose to resist them and not engage in the behavior. Attractions to someone or thing is not the same as what God calls sin. Most reasonable people do not define themselves by the things they are tempted by. If they did, we would all be liars, cheaters, fornicators, adulterers and thieves.
To be clear, a same sex attracted person who resists the temptation to act out sexually is to be respected and admired as a role model in the same way that anyone who overcomes their impure sinful desires ought to be. Are these temptations strong—to be sure—strong and evil. However, as a believer we must hang on to the promises of the Bible.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
So, when someone accuses you of being a homophobe it is important to know what they mean. As followers of Jesus, we need to be very careful how we approach this accusation, not because we fear offending the person making that statement, but because we love them and desire that they see something much bigger than what is suggested by the accusation.
I want to recommend what I believe is a proper response if you are a Bible believing Christian. Begin by asking the questioner what they mean by homo. Are you talking about a person who identifies as a homosexual or are you referring to homosexuality which is the broader definition of same sex attraction or behavior?
At this point their response is not important other than to offer you an opportunity to offer your thoughts. Start with the assumption that they are meaning a homosexual person and let them know very clearly that you fear no one—in fact, the Bible makes it clear that we are to love every person. It is our love of Jesus that allows us to see every precious human being through His eyes.
If you mean homosexuality, a culturally accepted and celebrated term used to define not just the attraction but the acting out or behavior, then my answer is a resounding YES. I fear, not in the sense of cowering in a corner, but out of genuine concern for the destructive by-product that flows from this the behavior if not resisted. People’s lives are being destroyed and their eternal soul is at great risk. So, my fear is born out of a deep love for these people and a desire for them to see something much bigger.
I would also let the questioner know that my beliefs about this matter are not coming from basic biology as much as from my understanding about God. They are shaped by what God has made very clear through His scriptures. My opinions mean little and are often wrong. The BIG idea here is if God is real, I would think it very important to discover what His opinion is.
It is at this point that you will no doubt hear a follow up question. What if God made them that way? I love this question as it gives us the opportunity to tell the bigger story from creation to Christ. We can lovingly remind them that we are all born with dysfunction ever since the fall. Everything in my human nature wants me to be my own god. I am selfish, full of pride, a liar and cheater—it is baked in.
So, what if I am born that way is not the right question. The right, and only question really is, God…or…no God? If there is no God, then you can disregard everything I am suggesting here and just live your life any way you desire. If, on the other hand, God is real, and we can discover what He desires of His creation, should we not be in search of how we can live lives that please Him?
You can explain that one of the big problems we humans face is free will. God gave us that—He must or else we are nothing but slaves. We are free to follow our natural inclinations no matter how good or bad they may be, or to resist the temptations in an attitude of obedience to please Him and ultimately enter into His Gates.
The other problem we face is the enemy of our soul. If God is real, then so is the devil. The last thing our enemy wants is for us to obey God—he wants you and me dead, literally. So, not only do we have to fight the very natural temptations born out of our human nature, but spiritual forces and temptations designed to take us away from God.
At this point we have an opportunity to share the answer to all of this. The pathway not only to freedom from my condition, but to a promised eternity in Heaven. The need to accept the Lord and appropriate His power to overcome. It is only through the strength we receive by knowing Him that we can truly overcome—HE IS CRAZY ABOUT YOU! (James 4:5)
Christian, remaining silent is not now, nor has it ever been, an option. We MUST step up and boldly, yet lovingly share the truth—it is a mandate from God. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17
I want to close with a disclaimer and important word of instruction and encouragement here. The disclaimer is to remember that our words and arguments are not the means by which people find our Lord. Yes, we must speak but only if we are living a life that validates what we say. All too often we are seen as hypocrites, not living what we preach.
Finally, I want to encourage you to pray, not only for those with whom you might be conversing, but for you to be anointed by the Holy Spirit when you speak. Ask God to fill you with His amazing grace.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Please watch this 12-minute video that will put a meaningful exclamation point on our discussion.
(My Response)
Here is the next 12-minute video in this series (My Actions)
https://youtu.be/BBZan37r2yQ