There has been little discussion regarding same-sex attraction and “homosexuality” in our church’s history. For many years we considered it a sin so vile that few dared to speak of it. Enter Satan.
From the cover of darkness, Satan advances his war against our Creator. He hopes no one notices His clever lies imposed upon those waiting to “feel” good.
Long forgotten is the lesson of Eve and Adam being ushered from the Garden of Eden because they caved into the lust of desire rather than living as God directed. I’m puzzled today as thousands upon thousands of seminary students are taking to the pulpits without a conviction to utter the saving Words of grace and redemption to those falling captive to Satan’s lies. Many are cultivating ambiguity. After all, we wouldn’t want anyone feeling uncomfortable
In this dark age of complacency, Satan has cleverly orchestrated the acceptance of that which God declares unholy. Multimedia saturates and dulls our senses convincing us that we are powerless over what God calls an abomination. Sin seems to be readily accepted, rather than surrendered.
During my brief history on earth I have endured silence, finger pointing and whispering about feminine mannerisms that were shaped in my youth. Kids yelled painful slurs and vulgar slang words. Adults were standoffish and clueless as to how to nurture and keep me grounded in faith and a belief in God. They witnessed unnatural tendencies developing and waited for their suspicions to materialize. A phrase I use in presentations today comes to mind. “We can’t share what we don’t have.”
As my classmates made faces and poked fun at me, my Bible teacher’s smirk and grimace remain vividly clear. I looked to my teachers and elders for a sign of refuge and hope but I was in an emotional prison constructed by “Christians.” Satan’s evil reminder of being born with a fallen nature was ever before me. I didn’t ask to be this way. And yet while I was growing up in a faith that claimed special light regarding God’s love and truth, I only encountered His truth. Non-existent love was debilitating.
We had the “Three Angels Message” and the prophecies of the multi-headed beasts. We told of the clay and iron feet and the prophetic events rapidly approaching. But I don’t remember witnessing the outpouring of relational love representing Christ’s character that promises change, wowing a broken heart toward Him. How many need healing and consoling because they feel like they are a blight on the face of humanity?
Doesn’t God’s “love and truth” message speak to the sin solution? Why don’t we? How can Jesus return when He can’t find a people who call sin by its rightful name and overcome it through Him? What does His truth set us free from if it’s not sin? What are we teaching those who are going to teach? Sadly, many of you are aware of the theories and methods that are not derived from God’s Word, but from the world, poised to soothe the itching ear. There is no call for submission and surrender. Aren’t we in need of a Redeemer?
“Affirmation theology” is popular today. “You’re fine just the way you are.” Because we’re all sinners. A pastor who suggests adapting to the perfection Jesus promises through Righteousness By Faith is considered a fanatic. Exactly what is it that we believe God saves us from? Why is it that He had to live and die for us if it wasn’t to bring change to our lives?
Praise God that He never gives up on us and where we fail. He came and rescued me. He knows whose heart is not hardened and who will respond to His love and truth.. A truly loving God, like any parent, disciplines through genuine life-sustaining love. We have become a people–a church that lacks loving and life-sustaining discipline. We’re failing at the education God provides. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” Revelation 3:19
So what about this “homosexual” condition? Why are we ignoring His counsel? Why are we turning our heads the other direction when every reference to “homosexuality” in God’s Word is of a negative connotation? Why are we trying to make something that God calls an abomination, excusable? Why are we telling the gay youth today that 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 isn’t really talking about them?
How is it that almost every Adventist university campus today has a straight/gay alliance to protect gays, but not one has a program reaching out to gays with God’s truth, love, and hope and redemption as promised in 1 Corinthians 6:11? “Such were some of you.”
For decades we knew homosexual behavior to be sin. But where have we proclaimed the freedom and healing that’s promised? Do we believe healing is possible? Is our focus on sexual behavior or on surrender to our Savior? Do we fear that we might appear as a “peculiar” people? Isn’t that what God is calling us to?
Many are neutralizing the healing power of the gospel by accommodating the sinner with total acceptance and sinful living. We’re declaring God impotent.
It’s increasingly difficult to talk about a sin problem if we aren’t talking about the sin solution. University campuses are endorsing gay rights movements diametrically opposed to Biblical teachings. The witness of Jesus through “redemption” and healing are being ignored or hushed. We’re considered “extreme conversions.” Really? Isn’t every true conversion extreme?
Opposition messages regarding the Bible’s truths are flooding the church and its youth. Afflicted people outside the church are waiting for the church to change its theology with a “Jesus loves you just the way you are” message. Gays, clergy and other uninformed people are failing to recognize that the change God is seeking is not focused on the sex, but on the surrender of self regardless of the sin disturbance.
The theories today are redefining the Holy Word to agree with our flesh rather than our Creator. Those wanting to justify sin are contriving a theology that would suggest “homosexuality” only had to do with temple prostitution and promiscuity. Oh what a wicked web is woven to provide for what the flesh cries out for. How far will we go to accommodate sin?
God is our Savior and promises throughout His Word the change that is possible. A change for godliness instead of the cunning, deceptive lies of Satan. I’ve heard numerous arguments for same-sex monogamous unions. But to date, not one has produced strong, clear Biblical evidence for such a lie.
Physiology confirms that marriage— an ordinance designed by God promoting life and creation— is not carried out in the enemy’s counterfeit homosexual union. The promise of death for such a violation is still not a distraction for self-gratifying pleasure for many. Only a deep, believing relationship with Jesus will counteract the deceptions of Satan.
Thousands are sympathizing with the “I didn’t ask to be born this way” statement. But we all struggle with sin. The question is, do we cherish sin? While sin and a fallen nature has tainted all our lives, we aren’t robots. Eternal life is an option and a God-given choice. Our Creator made certain that even though we are stained, we have been given the freedom to live in the victory He paid for us with His own blood.
We may not always be able to control our temptations, but we always have a choice about acting on them.
“Oh, how disgusted is God with the tame, lifeless, Christless efforts made by some of those who profess to be His servants! God’s work must be carried forward strongly and upward. This cannot be done unless the sensuality that corrupts the whole man is separated from the religious experience. This work must be done.
Church members need to fast and pray, striving earnestly to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Not one particle of Sodomitish impurity will escape the wrath of God at the execution of the judgment. Those who do not repent of and forsake all uncleanness will fall with the wicked. …Those who have had great light and have disregarded it stand in a worse position than those who have not been given so many advantages. They exalt themselves, but not the Lord. The punishment inflicted on human beings will in every case be proportionate to the dishonor they have brought on God. Many, by a course of self-indulgence, have put Christ to open shame.”—Letter 159, 1901. EGW
God inspired Ellen White to write this not so very long ago. While God blessed us with a prophetess of light, many have flung her from their presence refusing to contemplate God’s helpful gift to us. God loves us so much to have provided us with such help and knowledge.
Then there are those who contest that Sodom wasn’t destroyed because of homosexuality. The greatest sin that brought Sodom down was pride. Like today, there was no shame of homosexual acts. I would say “gay pride” strongly contributed.
Are you awakened and irritated? Invigorated? Motivated? It is my prayer that if you are a believer and lover of Christ that you will permit these few words to light a fire of God’s life-preserving gospel. We are not helpless. We have been given His divine Word with its eternal life-sustaining power that gives hope and promises redemption.
The church is in need of healing. All of us require healing and we are invited to humbly come together to claim the healing that is promised. James 5:16
Temptations don’t define me. My identity is in Jesus. I am a “New Creature” in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I invite you to claim the victory Jesus won for you. Reach out and grab it!
Satan is counting on you believing his lies. Jesus offers life eternal. The keys to the kingdom are in your hands. Jesus is asks us to hate what He hates. Sin. And to love His love that purifies and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24
Scholarly, biblical knowledge doesn’t equate to practical application of the gospel. Some have said, “I am impatient waiting for the church to demonstrate a practicality of 'love and truth' toward gays.” Really? I’ve been waiting my whole life. Today I feel a little like Moses trying to motivate the people Jesus gave His life for.
I’ve survived the ignorance of God’s children. It’s time we all wake up. These thoughts are meant to awaken those who desire to mirror God’s image. I’m not advocating for gay rights, I’m advocating for the saving grace of Jesus Christ that extends to “ANY” sinner. Maybe you’ve had a professor who was a bit tough on you because He wanted the best for you. Realize the deep love of Jesus who sometimes disciplines us to wake us up and experience the full extent of the life-sustaining gospel.
It’s a bit tough to give such a weighty admonition to those who know of God’s freeing truth. But it would give me great joy to see pastors, teachers, professors and parents proclaim God’s freeing message to sin-sickened souls who are stumbling around unnecessarily in a self-perpetuated darkness.
In Jesus, and sharing evidence of His promises there is no risk in pointing to Him and His saving grace and abundant promises. At least no eternal risk. We are asked to risk everything on this earth for Him. I invite you to invite us to share all that He has revealed to us that is preparing us for an eternity with Him. Invite us to speak and share of the love that bought and brought us freedom. Share Jesus! Be bold in all that is possible through Him!
For a seminar about love, hope and redemption and what is possible through Jesus regarding any sin condition, contact Wayne Blakely of ‘Coming Out’ Ministries at knowgreaterlove@comcast.net