Affirm Truth – Not Culture
Today, faithfulness, obedience, allegiance, and courage require the telling of “truth” that is often not safe to tell.
While a segment of the Church continues to consciously and deliberately avoid the subject of homosexuality, God, however, is not silent and has never been silent. As true faithful followers of Christ Jesus, we take the Bible in its entirety or not at all. We do not have the luxury of randomly selecting portions of Scripture and discarding the rest.
God’s Word is not a thing that a person can push around at their convenience.
The Bible is a Voice, a Word, the very Word of the living God.
The Church must call homosexual practice sin, and that will remain offensive to many. We cannot water down God’s Word. There is no doubt our courage will be tested, there will even be times when some must stand alone and defend what is right.
As Paul said to Timothy: “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.” (2 Timothy 4:16)
Maybe more than ever, a true faithful follower of Christ Jesus has crucified his rights and is willing to be completely and fully led by God’s Spirit. He fears God, that is, he has a healthy awe and respect for God and does not take God lightly. We, as God’s people, should not be out to advance the claims of a church, of a nation, of an ideology, but of Jesus Himself.
There can be no true compassion, integrity, and outreach if the Name, the teachings, the promises, the life, the death, the resurrection, and the transformation power of the Holy Spirit are not proclaimed – and, proclaimed to the virtually untouched mission field around the world called ‘the gay community’.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
What is stopping so many today in defending the Authority of Scripture with regard to homosexual practice? Is it fear of being beaten in an argument? Fear of not knowing what to say? Fear of messing it all up?
Such fears are groundless. Christians are not in the business of “winning the argument.” People are not argued into the Kingdom of God. What is eloquent and pierces a heart and soul is the personal testimony of someone whose life has been transformed by Christ. This is exactly what excites and captivates the imagination and interest. Not being well versed or educated on the subject of homosexuality is no excuse for remaining silent. We each have our own story to tell.
Few things are more effective than people who learn how to be “a friend (who) loves at all times,” (Proverbs 17:17) while not being afraid to uphold God’s truth that “better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (Proverbs 27:5)
I would submit that the calamity and dilemma many professing Christians face today with regard to homosexuality is not unlike a time when Elijah spoke and said: “‘How long will you waver between two opinions?
If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing.” (1 Kings 18:21)
Today, more than ever, we are in need of Christians that will not sidestep truth or grace but offer crystal clear truth on a host of issues, including homosexuality, toward every person. Frankly, this is exactly what the Church was called to be from the beginning, and it is exactly what people are looking for today. It is a Church just like this that saved my life.
Many know and understand the importance and significance of reaching the unreached peoples of the world for Christ Jesus. What about the unreached homosexual population?
We, the Christian community, have a lot to learn about bringing Jesus to the gays and lesbians who hopefully will one day knock at the doors of our churches. How about, “If you struggle with homosexuality and feel trapped – there is hope!
Come on into Church and investigate the roots and causes of your struggle with homosexuality. We will walk with you as you look past the surface, deep into your heart and consider God’s will for your life.”
It is the clarity of the Holy Scriptures that should compel each and every faithful follower of Christ Jesus to be a light where there is darkness, rather than hiding our witness from those who need it.
Luke 6:45 tells us, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” If we truly care about the eternal destination of a multitude of men and women, snared and deceived by the brokenness of same-sex attraction, we will not be silent. Silence cannot and must not be an option.
Consider: Did God keep Himself in icy isolation from your predicament? Did He say, “Well, he’s probably all right as he is?”
The ultimate issue for the homosexual is the same as it is for every individual. “Where do they stand? Are they dead in sin or alive in Christ?” Therefore, we must not withdraw, we must not be silent.
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.” Martin Luther
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