My Thoughts on the "Hot Button Topic"

I have been reading about this topic in a couple of blogs recently but I didn't comment for several reasons. #1- I could see both sides of the argument so I wasn't sure where I stood exactly. #2- I couldn't do it in a short form and I really don't like to leave too many novella comments. LOL #3- Everyone already had good points. I didn't have anything to add. I would have just mentioned that I saw what both sides were trying to present.

Well, I was able to talk through it with my WISE husband yesterday and things are a little clearer now. He was able to put into words what I was thinking and then some. (Those of you who know us will find this funny considering that I usually don't have a problem trying to describe what I think.)

Anyway...

The subject of "gay Christians" has come up several times recently. The question of "Can a person be born gay?" came up as well as the interesting question, "what do people who are drawn toward gay behaviors call themselves after they are born again? Should they refer to themselves as "gay Christians" or what?"

Here is a combination of both my and my husband's thoughts on the subject.

Enjoy but please read in it's ENTIRETY before forming a judgement.

question #1- Are people "born gay"?
Yes, in the same way that men are born liars, thieves, and drunkards. People are all born into sin but not all people struggle with the same sins. I might struggle terribly with controlling my tongue while another might struggle with lying and still another with drunkenness.

question #2- If a gay person becomes born again what do they call themselves? Are they "gay Christians"?

OK, first of all, my husband pointed out that you are what you do. If this new Christian is still practicing the gay lifestyle then yes they are still gay simply because that's what they are choosing to do. For those who have been set free from sin and still struggle with gay tendencies BUT DO NOT ENGAGE either mentally or physically then, no, they are not gay. Those who have tendencies toward gay sins but who are not dwelling on those thoughts or putting them into practice are in fact victorious in the same way that an alcoholic who still has cravings and desires for alcohol but who no longer indulges is living in victory. Sometimes people are set free instantly from certain sins; alcoholism, drugs, pornography, gay lifestyle, anger, malice, etc. Sometimes those people are not instantly delivered from the temptations and cravings and those people must rely strongly on God and others to keep them accountable, sober, etc.
My husband put it this way. If you have been set free from sin through Christ you are no longer gay. If you are tempted yet do not give in then you are walking in victory over that sin. If you are still struggling with having gay tendencies, thoughts, etc. then you should constantly pray and ask God to renew your mind. You can, and should, renew your mind with God's Word. You need to ask Him to bring your thoughts around to match what he created you to be- a heterosexual. Since He made us male and female that is what your "sexual orientation" should be. It may take time for some people. Some people may be delivered instantly. Renewing your mind is the key. Are you or should you call yourself a gay Christian. No, because you are not practicing the gay lifestyle and you don't want to align yourself with that lifestyle any longer. Can you be honest and say that you struggle with your sexual orientation and are asking God to renew your mind in that area- yes! People who have incorrect sexual orientation need help. They need support. They need prayer. They need to know they are not alone.
Sometimes we can be so quick to judge someone based on their words. I know that what we say IS important, but hear me out.
If someone is a new Christian and they struggle with incorrect sexual orientation then society has told them they were born gay and that's "who they are". They may not know what to call themselves. Simply explaining that the gay lifestyle is a sin and you need never to refer to yourself as such may be harsh for some people; especially if this is said without compassion for their struggles. Explaining the renewing your mind thing with an emphasis on HOPE in Christ to renew your mind to be what He created you to be (heterosexual) might be an easier way.
I am by no means saying to sugarcoat ANYTHING. You guys know me WAY better than that. I tell the TRUTH and have no trouble with calling sin-sin; but compassion is very very important. If we are simply correcting someone because they are wrong and need to change but not providing them with love, support, and caring then we have failed.
I have been privileged in the last 8 years to spend lots of time interacting with the recovery groups in this geographical area. (I'm talking specifically about alcoholics/drug addicts here.) There are some very awesome people who are in recovery and finding their way back to sobriety, life, and sometimes to Jesus. Lots of these people have been hurt by the church and many don't trust the church. They come to God apart from the church and then don't know how to integrate themselves once they are believers because they still don't trust Christians. There is also the fact that lots of Christians don't understand where they are coming from as addicts. They have a struggle that not everybody can relate to and it can help to be around others who struggle with the same things.
Sometimes Christians who attend AA are told by other Christians to stop referring to themselves as alcoholics and addicts and to quit going to AA because they "don't need it now. They have been set free." The well meaning Christians may be trying to encourage them but what they fail to look at is the recovering alcoholic's heart. AA has brought many people back to the Lord. Before you speak please remember that you need to look at a person's heart before giving them a "solution". Unless you have a clear cut word from God please take time to pray through what you say to those who are recovering from any kind of lifestyle.
Incidentally alcoholics refer to themselves as alcoholics because they need to remember they CAN'T drink. They can't even take one drink because they are not able to control themselves once they start drinking. Most use it as a form of remembrance not as a defeatist attitude. My husband put it this way, "I'm an alcoholic, not a drunk."
Look at what is going on in a person's life before you try to change anything. There are ways of telling the truth in love the way others can best receive it. :):)