Homosexuality and the Church's Response

As a soon-to-be college graduate aspiring to enter a career in ministry and possibly the creative/performing arts, 73 million dollars is a figure I never expect to see in my bank account, unless God decides to do a miracle. It’s a lot of money, and anything worth investing that much cash into has got to be something of great importance. It has got to be something so close to my heart, that it trumps anything that money could have otherwise purchased.
This is the amount that was spent on pro and anti Prop 8 campaigns. Less than 10% of Americans identify with this orientation, yet during the recent presidential elections, homosexual marriage captured our nation’s attention. Of all topics of conversation, few have generated as much controversy as this, and even with the passing of Prop 8, it is clear the conversation is not yet over.
Homosexuality is an important topic in our culture and of our generation. Therefore, as representatives of Christ, as people trying to be a light to our world, it needs to be an important topic to us. With the varying opinions as to how to respond to the gay marriage topic, among Christians and non-Christians (not necessarily just between them), I had to ask myself: as a Christian who puts his faith in Christ and in his teachings, how should I respond to this?
First off, it’s necessary to establish that the God makes a clear stance on the morality of homosexuality. Leviticus 18 calls this act an abomination, and 1 Corinthians 6 deems it as a sin against God. Simply put, homosexuality is wrong and is a sin. There. I said it. God’s intention for a union to be between a man and a woman, and homosexuality is a deviation from that order. With that said, though, too often, the church forgets that it is not the ONLY sin. In the past, gay men and women have been treated as pariahs of the community because of their sin. Yet as Romans 3:23 says, we are all sinful, tainted and don’t deserve the blessing of community. If we are to be a people who live in truth, we must foundationally recognize that we are all in the same boat, and that none of us deserve God’s forgiveness. Not one of us is better off than the other.
With that understanding, the church should respond to homosexuals the same way it would respond to any other sinner-with love. If a compulsive liar comes clean, we support them with accountability. Ministries like Celebrate Recovery are to aid those with addictions. Too often, homosexuals are not received openly. For whatever reason, Christians are more so threatened by the idea of homosexuality rather than moved to compassion that these people live a life constantly in search of filling a void that only God can fill. It requires that we let our hearts break for the hurting, and so though it may not be apparent, experience testifies that a life without God, a life seeking after temporary fixes, brings about a discomfort more painful than any flesh wound.
While important to maintain openness and a receptive attitude and heart towards these people, Ephesians 4:14-16 gives us Christians clear instructions as to how we are to love these people best, and it is by holding strong to what is true. Speaking the truth in love. It is important that we are speaking the truth of the effects of sin on a person’s life, not sugar coating information, or altering God’s Word to not sound so harsh to the audience. Uncompromisingly, we need to communicate truth for what it is. Particularly with homosexuality, we need to be willing to present the facts on this lifestyle and the potential effects it has on a person’s health, and on society as a whole. And even, more challenging, when we approach a situation like Proposition 8, we won’t fold to please the majority perspective, but we willing to communicate sound defense for a Biblical position.
Lastly, as Christians, our lives are to be testimonies to those who are around us. As the institution of marriage is being questioned, and as homosexuality is being considered as an option, the church must respond by evaluating the kind of example Christian marriages are setting. As people seeking to be like Christ, our lives need to reflect the goodness of being in Christ, the promise of the abundant life that comes through Christ, and draw people into that.
Therefore, when asked the question, “what is our response to be,” in regards to homosexuality, the answer is simple. Live as Christ lived, and love as he loved.