Being gay being christian

Some Christian groups focus on simply refraining from gay sex, such as Courage International and North Star. [][] Other groups additionally encourage gay members to reduce or eliminate same-sex attractions. Bible Verses about Homosexuality Christians must always start with the Bible in order to hear God’s Word on any subject. His commands are not optional, and he states clearly, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus ).

Struggling with same-sex attraction does not disqualify someone from being a Christian; however, calling oneself a “gay Christian” means choosing a sin to define yourself instead of Christ. True faith requires surrendering all sinful desires to God and finding identity in Christ above all else. Here are five simple truths that will help separate truth from error and biblical revelation from emotion.

(For those wanting a more in-depth treatment, please see my newest book, Can You Be Gay and Christian?) 1. The testimony of Scripture remains unchanged: The Bible forbids homosexual practice. What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Can you be LGBTQ+ and Christian? What does Scripture have to say about being gay? Dive into the oft-cited passages on sexuality, gender identity, and more with LGBTQ+ Theology Josh had always known he was different.

From his earliest memories, he looked at some boys as more than just peers. In college, Josh decided it was time to be who he really was. He made friends with other gay people and set out on sexual explorations. Josh found a refuge in his gay community and developed bonds that ran much deeper than sexual flings. Though his parents distanced themselves and old friends turned a cold shoulder, Josh felt that he was finally free in his new identity as a gay man.

Josh is no caricature. His experiences and story are true, and they are common. What if Josh were your neighbor or your co-worker or your son?

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How would you give the gospel to him? How would you tell him about the forgiveness of sins, the community of believers, and true identity in Jesus? For many of my Christian friends who love Jesus and struggle with same-sex attraction, the beauty of the gospel is that it addresses every area of their life, not just one expression of the fall. All of us who are believers know this. At the same time, Josh has very real questions that need to be answered.

In the same way an atheist, Muslim, or self-righteous person would need the gospel to address him or her personally, so does Josh. He has real questions that he struggles with, and we should seek to help him find those answers. To share the gospel with Josh, or anyone who might have questions like his, here are a few ideas to keep in mind.

It can be intimidating for people who have never struggled with same-sex attraction to share the gospel with a gay man or woman. As with anyone we share the gospel with, we fear how they may perceive us, and we may be tempted to think they would never listen. The fear of man is a snare Prov. Hold out Jesus as supreme. Friends like Josh will often want to bring the question of sexuality to the foreground in your conversation.

At the same time, we want to keep Jesus and his gospel central. To help with this, I encourage you to ask your friend to share their story with you. Ask them to help you understand how being gay became a central part of their identity.

Ask them if there have been any hard times with their journey. Part of loving people is getting to know them. As you do this, ask them if you can tell them why you view your identity in Christ as supreme. We never want to minimize sins that keep people from God, but at the same time we want to magnify who brings us to God. Jesus came for sinners of all kinds, and we must keep that message central.

It is also good to keep in mind that all people are sexual sinners—some in small ways, some in greater ways. Have Jesus-like compassion and conviction. Christians have sinned in at least two major ways when it comes to reaching those in the gay community.