LGBTQIA+ and the Gospel
In our latest series, Gabe explained why the topic of our sexuality is so controversial. For one, it is a personal issue, that affects people we know and love. Secondly, it is a political issue that is legislated by a government with an agenda, causing gender confusion and intolerance. And lastly it is a Biblical mandate for us not to be deceived. We cannot just go along with the flow or hold any prejudices in our heart. The challenge for Christians is to know which voice to be listening to.
The voice you listen to will determine the future you walk into.
In the area of our sexuality, we need both Biblical conviction in hand with Biblical compassion, offering the fullness of God’s grace and truth. As a Church, Lifechangers is preaching the good news of Jesus and equipping us with the truth of our sexuality, both for ourselves and how to respond to others.
What we believe about God will determine what we believe about ourselves.
We need to lift our eyes to Jesus and open them more clearly, so we can see the truth about who God is and how we were created in His image.
1) God as the CREATOR
God is the original designer and creator of everything, including mankind. In Genesis 1:27-28, His eternal human template was clearly to create only male and female. We are created in His image and likeness. To see a perfect baby being born reveals the truth of God as our creator. In Genesis 2 God creates woman as a suitable helper, being an appropriate match for a man. We were made for the purpose to be fruitful and multiple and without that possibility in marriage, it is void of God’s plan.
The enemy has distorted the truth, leaving a world confused about their gender and identity, doubting their Creator and forgetting the purpose they were created for. As Christians, we need to be taking a stand against abortions and laws being changed about sex and gender. We cannot cut out the Bible pages we don’t like in fear of it being offensive. Romans 1: warns us that when we trade God’s truth for a lie and choose our created bodies over acknowledging our Creator, we invite sexual and relationship
disfunction in our lives.
Our spirituality and sexuality are connected, designed for us to know God more intimately, over trying to be God. When Jesus was faced with the question of divorce in Mathew 19:4-6, He took them back to the beginning, of being joined in marriage as one flesh. Gods sexual template in a marriage is clearly expressed between a male and a female, and anything outside of that whether heterosexual or homosexual, is a sin.
2) God as FATHER
Jesus came to show us who God is and the way to God is through Jesus. Despite our culture and experience distorting what a Father should be, a Father’s job is to love and protect his children. God has placed boundaries in our lives for our protection, because He is a good Father and knows what is good for us.
The world calls you by your struggle; Satan calls you by your sin, but a Father calls you by your future. Our lives are not defined by sin or by who we think we are, but by who God says we are. Philippians 1:10 reminds us to discern what is best for us and not based on our feelings or what we think will make us happiest.
The devil has dismantled and distorted the image of the father that blocks us from seeing God as a Father. The heart of the Gospel is to turn sinners into sons and daughters. Marriage reflects something bigger in that we are the bride of Christ.
3) God as SAVIOUR
We all have sin in our lives that equally offends God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 warns us about the sins we all need to be repenting for, including homosexuality. Your struggles and the temptations you wrestle with do not define you. If you believe you were born that way, then it’s time to be re-born.
God wants to save you, change you and redeem your story, who has the only antidote to restore you back to your original design. 1 Corinthians 6:9 says you are not to practice homosexuality. It doesn’t mean you won’t still have desires, but the sin is in the action and with God, you can overcome those desires. You need to choose if you will surrender your desires to a higher identity than your sexuality, by deciding who is on the throne of your life. God is looking to make you holy, not happy.
Marriage is not the ultimate goal, but it helps us become holy and righteous to become more like Jesus.
4) God as EMPOWERER
It may feel like change is impossible, but Jesus is with you and has compassion. Submit your confusion to God, who has given you everything you need for life and godliness. God is calling His Church to stand unapologetically with grace and truth. We don’t carry the flag of Pride or prejudice, but the cross of Christ!
Romans 1:16 tells us that the Good News of Christ is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes, both in Him and in His power. With His Power as our weapon for every fight and struggle, we can be overcomes.
What we believe about God is what we will believe about ourself. God is calling us to repentance for biblical conviction, compassion and silence.
There is a war on for those who are struggling in their sexuality, for our children, for the next generation and for our hearts. Lordship is played out in our sexuality. God is not looking for alleys but altars.