RealTalk Thursdays: Homosexuality

REALTALK THURSDAYS
Question: What is your take on homosexuality? Do you believe that the church is handling this issue well; how do you believe people should respond? This issue has caused much controversy in elections in the US and the Caribbean. Do you expect the leader you select to also share your ideas on the matter?

Have you ever considered a world of just women? Is there anything that it would lack? How about one of only men? What might it lack? Both worlds would not survive very long since there would be no possibility of procreation. I suppose God could not retire from making man from dust and I suppose He would have had to alter His manufacturing process since in a world of females there would not have been man in the first place. However, when God created human beings, he made man and woman and empowered us to do what only He can do which is to procreate; an undeniably divine activity. Many people like to argue that a relationship between a man and woman is simply a societal construct, an idea to which I beg to differ by simply looking at the implications. We were created man and woman alike for a special purpose which we could not accomplish had we all embraced homosexual relationships (Read the book of Genesis). So much more could be said here but let us move on.

To offer a Christian perspective I suppose one must clearly understand what sin is. I am going to define sin as any behavior, belief or any thought process which deviates from what God intends or His rules and regulations. I think now is a good time to throw in that, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 (NIV). With that said I must speak on society’s influence on our perception of our sinful actions and attitudes; an influence which proves a conscious attempt to separate according to significance and severity sin and wrong. Can we blame society for that? When we think of punishment of wrong many of us have been conditioned to believe that the punishment should match the crime. Right? After all we can concede to the fact that these persuasions and protocols which have been put in place are in the interest of ‘justice’ however the truth is when we consider God’s perspective He does not separate sin into categories but rather perceives all sin as sin. The same measure of grace shown by God to the murderer is the same given to the adulterer therefore the same penalty is imposed on them both in God’s eyes; “the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23 (NIV). Now of course we are not talking about how the consequences of sinful actions might differ in or even impact our lives (that’s a whole other story). Notice in Romans 6:23 there are no other specifics or gray areas to factor in outside of what was expressly stated, all sin carry the same penalty and result.

Yes, many in homosexual relationships often allude to never being attracted to someone of the opposite sex or even acknowledge that no other kind of relationship feels right. Is that idea hard to identify with or is it that you do not acknowledge your deviations from what God wants as sin? If you do, then you know that we often feel justified in our sins, whether we are convinced we love the person, that it feels good, that it is what the person deserved or that it gives us relief that we need and we almost get mad at God for not understanding. So before you are quick to turn your nose down at someone who loves someone of the same sex take a look at your own situation, challenges and sinful actions and attitudes. My Jamaican kinsmen may not be too happy with this idea because we were raised in a kind of no tolerance for homosexuality environment. Needless to say that many Jamaicans and even just in general people in the western world (men and women alike) seem to be more even-tempered when it comes on to female and female relationships and even fantasize about being with two women but are repulsed by the idea of two men; DOUBLE STANDARD! Let me move on.

As the church we seem to have polarized approaches to confronting homosexuality. Either we ostracize them or we almost encourage it for fear of being branded with some negative labels for rejecting the sin (and yes I am aware that these same practices exist in the church…that discussion is for another post). Of course both tactics are incorrect and we need to find middle ground somehow. That starts with first acknowledging that their sin is no worse than ours and conceding to God’s perception of sin. Then we ought to look at Jesus’ response to sinners – “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8 (NIV). Jesus’ response to us is one of love and forgiveness through undeserved mercy. However He requires us to live according to His rules as He admonishes us to, “be holy because I am holy” 1 Peter 1:16 (NIV) at the same time cautioning us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7-8 NIV).

Our job as Christians is to love each person irrespective of their religious beliefs and moral persuasion, in addition we are expected to live a life that teaches others about God’s love and forgiveness (the same attributes that saved us and that we rely on to live out our Christian lives). Our job is to show God through our actions and attitude but also share God through the word and through prayer. So then the same God who convicts us and delivers us from the stronghold of our own sinful nature and sinful actions is the same God who will do it for any other sinner or sin. It leads me to the familiar scripture verse, “Judge not, that you be not judged Matthew 7:1 (ESV) Many of us need to spend some time getting this concept deep into our spirit since we have a propensity to judge others especially when we want to feel a little better about ourselves. Before you cast that first stone, remember those sins in your closet that are not as open and consider how passionately you are concealing them for fear of being judged by others. Let us reserve judgment for God; He is the only one in a position to judge because He IS the standard.

As it relates to our leaders, whether a Prime Minister or a Presidential candidate, I have a very basic approach. A democracy is rule by the people, for the people, while theocracy on the other hand is governance based on religious beliefs. The existence of democracy which governs the country’s overall socio-economic and political behavior calls for a representation and attempt to fulfill the longings and ideas of the masses and not just my individual persuasion. As a result I have already settled in my mind the fact that certain policies may not be in-keeping with my own religious beliefs and behaviors.

For those who will be quick to say I have an affinity toward homosexuals. Please know I am only Pro God and Pro God’s Forgiveness. For those who think I am too hard I am Pro God and Pro God’s Salvation and these ideas have informed my response to this week’s REALTALK Thursdays question.

SUMMARY

If you have read through this and you are still unclear about this perspective see the summary below:

1. I believe homosexuality is a deviation from God’s plan and purpose and therefore a sin (there are more than enough scripture passages to support this)
2. I believe no sin is greater than another in God’s eyes just as His word says, as such I believe it is wrong to look down on someone practicing homosexuality while you are a liar, cheater etc
3. I believe that my duty is to be God’s light in the world so that people may be convinced of their sin and be brought to salvation through faith in Jesus. As such it is important for us to daily strive after the things of God and to deny our flesh and follow after the things of God through the help of the Holy Spirit.
4. No one is perfect and as a child of God it is my duty to love and to teach the word of God and allow God to do the rest. Jesus while on earth never once condoned sin but he certainly did not hate the sinner; He used every opportunity He had to teach them what was right…that is our calling.

 

I know this post is a lot to swallow and maybe has several areas of agreement or even contention for you. I would love to hear your opinion so comment below and continue the conversation.

Talk soon.

EJ