In 1983, while living in San Francisco, and very much at the time a member of the gay community, I walked out of my Powell Street apartment on a Sunday afternoon, eventually made my way down to Market Street, which is the main boulevard in downtown San Francisco, and happened upon my first gay pride parade.
I say happened upon the parade because I had no idea the event was taking place and having never viewed a gay pride parade before, I was immediately stunned at what I was seeing and seeing in broad daylight on the main drag of San Francisco with thousands of people in robust celebration.
To be perfectly frank, I was thoroughly and completely appalled and disgusted at what I was viewing and what was being celebrated; again, a gay-identified man and member of the gay community at the time.
To this day, when I recall much of what I viewed, I remain astounded as to why many were thrilled and ecstatic in terms of what was being unashamedly paraded before them. That was 1983 and today, little to nothing has changed.
God’s Word is not silent about such festivities or gatherings with Scripture being first and foremost abundantly clear in its clearest explanation of the sin of homosexual practice (Romans 1:24-27) as well as a very definitive warning to people who know intuitively that homosexual acts (along with gossip, boasting, haughtiness, etc.) are sin, “they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:29-32).
Clearly, far too many people simply are not aware, they do not know or understand the growing calamity surrounding us and doing its utmost to consume. Certainly, homosexual practice is not a new thing on the scene. The brokenness of same-sex attraction has been around since the fall of man. Not even the celebration of homosexuality is new.
What is new is the normalization of homosexual practice. This is the new calamity because it is a blatant and direct assault on God and His image in man.
No one, no one, escapes the truth that “we reap what we sow” (Galatians 6:7). Sin always brings and carries in it its own misery accompanied by payment due. At some point, payday always arrives. Indeed, sin is fun only for a season (Hebrews 1:25).
Every Christian knows this to be true because we have each come face-to-face with our own sin. Personally-speaking, the most I can say about homosexuality is that it made me feel good, at least for a while.
What I continue to find remarkable regarding the gay community is the great diversity and often disagreement in even what it means to be gay or lesbian.
The gay and lesbian community is by no means a unified front, with all members in complete accord on every topic and issue. Today, fierce opposition easily arises when anyone dares to criticize the various aspects of either the gay or lesbian lifestyle especially with regard to social and political endeavors.
I am confident I do not need to detail that any public expression, especially from the Christian community, that expresses disagreement with any aspect of the homosexual movement, or with homosexual practice itself, is immediately met with accusations of verbal gay-bashing. Such is the reality and influence gay and lesbian activists relish-in and they are still purposed for more.
What many people forget, often conveniently, is that it is more than possible (from a Christian perspective) to question or challenge a behavior, a lifestyle or an identity, and still treat individuals with dignity and respect. Neither truth nor love is homophobic.
I hope, I pray, you will take to heart, mind and spirit what I am about to share.
Faithful followers of Christ Jesus are bound by Agape-love to speak truth about homosexuality; this alone, by itself extends and holds out hope, true hope, for true personal wholeness. Tragically, many have succumbed, with others now allowing desire to determine the “right course” in life.
There is no question homosexual practice is, clearly, only one of the myriad types of behaviors that are condemned in God’s Word, and it is condemned for the exact same reason as the rest – it is counterproductive to human well-being, and an affront to the character of God.
You and I, we are living in an age of reckless sexuality. I believe this to be true, so, and enabled largely because many, including members of the Christian community, have and are stripping the truth away from grace which has created a perversion of God’s person and His plan for humanity.
I have no idea as to exactly when, but at some point, due to “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming”(Colossians 3:5-6).
Psalm 119:136 says, “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.”
Herein, I believe, lies the question every man and every woman must consider because it defines the difference.
“Do I grieve and weep over sin or do I celebrate it?”
I am recalling 39 years ago, surrendering my life to Christ Jesus and entering Church for the first time in my life, then, at that time, no one was wishy-washy about sin. Sin was called sin, and no one pretended they didn’t struggle with it. It was at that time and for the first time in my life, I began to be who God created me to be.
Thankfully, God’s truth and His redemptive power continues to genuinely separate the sinner from the sin. Gratefully, because until that occurs in life, true joy and freedom can never be truly known.
In the end, it will not matter why God has spoken in the way He has; the essential is what He has spoken.
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee