DEALING WITH HOMOSEXUALITY
Loving the Sinner/Hating the Sin
The Information on this web page was presented
at the National LCMS Youth Gathering
by Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries
A Not-for Profit Charitable Ministry
Dedicated to Reuniting Generations through Faith and Knowledge of God’s Word.
Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries presented this Interest Center to reach out specifically to Youth. However, the information on this Web Page can be reproduced and used by all ages - every generation. Today all generations must deal with homosexuality. The information on this web page is designed to help those struggling with homosexuality personally, or help others find wisdom and strength to conquer the temptation and sin of homosexuality, through the power only God can provide through His Word.
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To learn more about Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries CLICK HERE
This resource is provided by Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries for a donation to help reunite and strengthen generations.You may assist this ministry in it's critical mission by sending a donation every time this UIM Resources is used to: Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries, W9318 Oak Ave. Shawano, WI 54166-6239
INTEREST CENTER INFORMATION
In dealing with homosexuality it becomes extremely necessary to lay a solid foundation
of God’s will and plan for all people. It is especially important that we help homosexual and heterosexual people of all ages and generations understand the plan God has for sex, and how beautifully "sacred" sex becomes when we follow God’s plan.
SACRED SEX: God's Plan
Sacred sex, between a man and woman committed to God and to each other for life through marriage touches the inner most part of the soul. It bonds, strengthens, comforts, sustains and provides a solid relationship which sex outside of a God-ordained marriage can never provide. Homosexual and heterosexual sex outside of God’s plan have been described as more pleasurable, but we need to remember that this pleasure only lasts for a moment. Sacred sex creates a deep connection, a pleasure, and more than that, a “joy” within a God-ordained and blessed marriage relationship, which lasts for a lifetime!
IMITATION SEX: Sex Outside of God's Plan
Many people are searching for the deep connection and lasting joy sacred sex provides. Sadly, in their desperate need they have stumbled across imitations of sacred sex:
homosexual and heterosexual relationships which imitate love, but cannot duplicate God’s love, specifically because they do not love God. They disobey God. Jesus clearly reminds us in John chapter 14 verse 15 and again in verse 23: “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” Our love for God certainly does not save us, we are saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8). Still, our faith is evident in our action. “.....faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” James 2:17. When we have faith in God, we desire to obey Him. Then, and only then, will the deep connection and lasting joy He offers and we seek, fill our lives and form our relationships.
WE CANNOT OBEY GOD
Our desire to obey God does not give us the ability to obey Him. Our ability comes from the Lord, Whose love and forgiveness strengthens us to persevere, or keep trying to obey Him. "Try” is the key, because we can never be perfect. Our imperfection can make the struggle against homosexuality seem unbearable, at times. That’s why Paul’s encouragement is so important for us to remember in Romans 5:1-5:
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who He has given us.”
STANDING IN GOD'S GRACE
We all sin, but, when our desire is to love and obey God, we stand in His grace. Again, this does not happen because of our desire or because of anything we have or will ever do. God’s grace comes to us because of what God has done for us by sending His Son to live, die and rise again to conquer sin and gain salvation for us. Our desire to obey God does show our love for Him. It also sends us to God, in repentance and confession, where we receive His forgiveness and strength to persevere.
The state of grace in which repentant believers stand is a free gift from God. While it is given freely, it was bought at a high price (1 Corinthians 6:20)- the life of God's only Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is given to us in love and it is the reason we are compelled to love and obey God". God's love for us, in and through Christ, fills us with desire to love and obey Him.
However, standing in God's grace does not stop us from falling into temptation and sin. We were born in sin and will always be sinners, or "unspiritual" as Paul describes himself and all sinners in Romans 7:14 -25. Paul explains that he desires to do good, but instead, he constantly does what is bad. Sin is there, waging war against our bodies, minds and spirits. The only One Who can rescue us is Jesus Christ (vs. 25). Only through Christ do we receive the desire to persevere in faith, love and obedience to God. Then, and only, then, do we stand in His grace, forgiven, even though we continue to fall into temptation and sin.
WE MUST UNDERSTAND GOD'S GRACE
AND THE DESIRE OF PEOPLE
Understanding God's grace and the desire of people experiencing homosexual feelings is essential in learning how to deal with homosexuality. For example: Is the desire of the person caught in the sin or temptation of homosexuality to love and obey God? If so, this person, by faith, is standing in God's grace - forgiven - even though he or she continues to fall into temptation and sin.
When we understand God's grace and the desire of people experiencing homosexual feelings we are better prepared to deal with homosexuality in ways which help, rather then hurt people. Specifically, we need to understand:
(1) that there is a difference between the sin and the sinner, and
(2)that we must hate the sin, but unconditionally love and forgive the sinner.
- THE SIN is sex outside of God's commands and plan for marriage between one man and one woman for life. Once again, God’s plan is for SACRED SEX which touches the soul. Sacred sex provides a deep connection and lasting joy within couples committed, in and through faith, to love and obey God.
- THE SINNER whose desire is to love and obey God is loved and forgiven by God and needs to be loved and forgiven by us. It is extremely important, however, that the sinner realize why we hate the sin, and that is, because we love God and the sinner and that love compels us to condemn the sin, so the sinner will be saved.
Hating the sin means or requires holding the homosexual sinner firmly accountable for fleeing sin and temptation, just as God holds all people accountable to flee sin and turn from evil:
If My people...turn from their wicked ways..I...will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"Turn from evil and do good."Psalm 34:14
"Flee sexual immorality.." 1 Corinthians 6:18.
...flee from idolatry." 1 Corinthians 10:14
"Flee the evil desires of youth,..." 2 Timothy 2:22
and, God promises that when we do flee, when we resist temptation, and turn from evil, the devil will flee from us (James 4:7) and God, our God will bless us (James 1:12).
Before we can HATE THE SIN AND LOVE THE SINNER
we need to KNOW THE TRUTH:
The truth is that the practice of homosexuality is a SIN which separates us from God and, thereby, from salvation: ”Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God..... Neither the sexually immoral.....nor homosexual offenders,.... will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Understanding this critical truth is a matter of life and death. “The wages of sin is death, but, the gift of God is eternal life...” Romans 6:23.
For more information on homosexuality and salvation: CLICK HERE
1 Corinthians 6:11 goes on to explain the position of the repentant SINNER, standing in God's grace: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God..” Romans 3:28 reiterates: “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law (obedience). Therefore we can be sure that change or escape is possible(“that is what some of you were”), but, not from anything we do, rather change comes from within, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. While the SIN of homosexuality separates from God and salvation, the blood of Christ forgives and saves the SINNER.
ESCAPE FROM THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITY IS POSSIBLE
When it comes to change or escape from homosexuality, however, we do need to fully comprehend that change is a matter of God’s desire or will. God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). While God promises salvation to all who believe (Acts 16:31), He does not promise a perfect life free of all problems and struggles. In fact, God often sends struggles to make us strong. When the Apostle Paul cried out to God for relief from a thorn in his flesh (Paul described the thorn as a messenger from Satan that tormented him), God said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Certainly, God does not desire that we suffer. Rather, He desires to make us strong by inviting us to turn to Him to receive His power (2 Corinthians 12:10)and rest (Matthew 11:28) when we are suffering. Through God’s power our sufferings increase our resistance and give us wisdom and strength to overcome and, yes, even avoid sin and temptation - Escape.
FORGIVENESS CHANGES PEOPLE
I John 1:9 states: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Confession assures forgiveness. However, we must once again keep in mind that we are saved by faith, not by our confession. Yet, our faith is evident in our act of confession (James 2:17). It shows that we do not desire to sin and proves our desire is to love and obey God. When confession and repentance are present, so are faith and forgiveness. We stand in God’s grace (Romans 5:2). As many times as we repent, we are forgiven. We live in a state of grace with endless, unconditional forgiveness and love. Living in repentance and forgiveness is itself a completely changed lifestyle, extremely conducive for making change and escape from homosexuality a reality.
HOW TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE
STRUGGLING AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY
Successful ministry to people who are experiencing homosexual feelings, but, who clearly desire to turn from sin and obey God, needs to have three basic ingredients: Love, Honesty and Compassion.
These three ingredients can also help turn people from rebellion and sin, to God.
To learn more about these three ingredients: CLICK HERE
SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY REQUIRES KNOWING
ABOUT THE VARIOUS TYPES OF HOMOSEXUALITY
AND HOW TO DEAL WITH EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY
Basically, there are two types of people you encounter when dealing with homosexuality:
(1) those who clearly desire to turn from sin and obey God, and
(2) those who desire to live in rebellious sin, with no desire to obey God.
Dealing with homosexuality successfully requires understanding which type of homosexuality you are dealing with. In simple terms, successful ministry to an individual type of homosexuality requires knowledge of when to apply the law and the gospel.
CLICK HERE to learn more about how to minister to various types of homosexuality.
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HOMOSEXUALITY
There are many reasons people become involved in homosexuality. Those who minister to people struggling against homosexuality or are themselves caught up in this struggle, may find knowledge of the contributing factors helpful. However, please understand that there may be other reasons and causes which are not listed.
CLICK HERE to learn more about contributing factors to the onset of homosexuality.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
CLICK HERE to read some of the most common questions asked about homosexuality.
CLICK HERE to read answers to questions raised during this interest center.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY
CLICK HERE to read Scriptures passages which share what Gods says in His Word
about homosexuality, sin, forgiveness and salvation.
ADDITIONAL HELP AND RESOURCES
CLICK HERE for additional help for homosexuality.
This resource is provided by Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries for a donation to help reunite and strengthen generations.You may assist this ministry in it's critical mission by sending a donation every time this UIM Resources is used to: Family Crossfires, Inc. Ministries, W9318 Oak Ave. Shawano, WI 54166-6239
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