Today, many prefer to continue hiding their heads in the sand, hoping the whole issue will just go away. Others have bought into the politically-correct “tolerance” mode by welcoming unrepentant gays and lesbians into fellowship completely unchallenged. Some churches now perform gay marriages and some denominations are ordaining practicing homosexuals.

In all fairness, the Church has a history of reacting badly towards homosexual men and women and homosexuality itself. People struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction heard jokes about gay people from the pulpit, asked to leave the Church, and, at times, told they could never be saved. It is an undeniable fact the harshness and ridicule from the Church drove many away.

“They pile up back-breaking burdens and lay them on other men’s shoulders – yet they themselves will not raise a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:4)

Right now, there are powerful forces at work with regard to homosexuality and related issues, both earthly and in the heavenlies. There can be no doubt to the accomplishments of the enemy with his divide and conquer techniques. Today, many are now worshipping a man-created Jesus that requires absolutely no sacrifice, makes no demands of any kind or type of obedience, and is completely silent with regard to sexual sin. Does this not qualify as a pagan religion?

Admittedly, we are all in the process of becoming more Christ-like. A process that will continue in each of our lives until we either go home to be with Jesus or He comes back to get us. That said, I am convinced to be Christ-like requires that you and I be willing to enter into the realm of not compromising godly love or Scriptural truth. It means holding to a Biblical position with regard to homosexual practice but doing it in a Christ-like way.

Personally, with each passing day, I become more and more concerned largely due to many giving into the acceptance of both sin and sinner. Today, many are just finding it easier to swing to the extreme left or right, rather than commit to the time and effort to find a Biblical resolution to this problem. This has contributed to a huge divide in the Church.

Go with me here for just a second. Suppose you are “the one” having combatted unwanted same-sex attraction for years. You have spent years in shame and fear hoping you would just snap out of “the condition.” Then, you hear there is a whole community out there of people just like you. They get it; you are not alone. You can be yourself there. You can be open about your sexuality. There are clubs and churches for people just like you. Finally, you decide, “Here I go!”

The sense of connection and camaraderie is huge and compelling. Consuming to the point of “I finally belong to somebody” which carries with it the fragrant power of being wanted. I fully understand and agree completely that the conclusion one must surrender and resign oneself to the gay identity and culture is all wrong but I equally understand the forces and power of having arrived at such a conclusion.

The Apostle Paul has given us every reason for hope with regard to homosexuality in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 6, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed…sanctified…justified…by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Many remain very vocal in their proclamation that God can do the impossible. Do we still believe that? Especially, when it comes to the brokenness of same-sex attraction? Is it any wonder the man or woman struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction is completely confused about the Christian viewpoint?

I, for one, refuse to lower the bar on the Biblical fact and reality that God continues to do what the world considers impossible. God continues to offer new life to all who are willing to receive it.

When Nehemiah was told that Jerusalem was in ruins, he was devastated. Ultimately, he went there, surveyed the damage to the city, and wept over what he saw. He gathered allies around himself and said: “We have to rebuild.”

This is a time for all men and women with unwanted same-sex attraction to have allies. Someone they can talk to; a friend, counselor, pastor, a church – someone that will be with them. A compassionate individual that need not be an expert on the topic of homosexuality. The Church remains God’s instrument in helping those afflicted with same-sex attractions to become comfortable and sound in their true God-given roles.

We, the Church, have gotten too far off track regarding homosexuality. It’s time to rebuild. You and I have experienced the trials and difficulties of this world so that we will be qualified to help others.

“God who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in ‘any trouble’ with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

I am completely convinced that God is asking His Church to change and rebuild our own walls by opening our hearts to the sexually broken. Those who struggle with same-sex attraction need to be loved, to be embraced in fellowship, and to be known for who they truly are, not based solely on their sexuality.

Change and the redemption road can often be unpleasant and difficult. However, it is a journey always worth taking. Homosexuals are being asked to change and rebuild the walls of their lives. How about we, The Church, rebuilding some of our own walls?

How we oppose homosexuality is as important as opposing it.

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

How is it that many people of faith are confused asking, “Is same-sex marriage really that big a deal?”

If you believe in the traditional view of marriage and are convinced it is worth defending, then yes, it is a big deal. Why? Because the bedrock institution of traditional marriage has survived thousands of years across all cultures producing the best outcomes for children and society at large.

Frankly, all of the flurry with regard to same-sex marriage, and more specifically, the attack on marriage that we continue to witness on every front of society, strikes at the heart of the character, the authority, and the redemptive plan of God. Ultimately, the crisis we currently face and the crisis we have been facing for quite some time has not been about nor is it presently about same-sex marriage.

In this current climate, I believe the faithful Christian church is called by God to assert its Biblical position that sexuality is God’s good gift and that sexually chaste relationships are both possible and desirable, and that sexual passion is designed to be expressed only between a man and a woman in the context of a lifetime marriage. Ultimately, search the totality of Scripture and you will not find one positive statement about homosexuality – in any form – to any degree.

Herein lies the true crisis. For anyone to identify as a true faithful follower of Jesus Christ, Do I accept the Bible as the Word of God, as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do I not? Do I accept Scripture as a revelation from God, or do I trust in human knowledge, human learning, human understanding, and human reasons? Or, putting it more simply, do I, as a faithful follower of Christ Jesus, pin all my faith to, and subject all my thinking to, what I read in the Bible?

When Scripture speaks a clear word on any given topic, it speaks the final word. I pray we all would stop trying to explain why God has spoken in the way He has; the essential issue is what He has spoken.

If we redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage, is there any logical reason for us not to redefine marriage in other ways? There are those that are already demanding equality that promotes polygamy or group marriage. If marriage can be redefined to include two men or two women, why not allow marriage between a man and four women, or a group of six or seven adults and their various children?

Today, a popular error that has been made and continues to be made by many, is the attempt to blur the lines with regard to Christian ethics making “love” an omnipotent spiritual quality that has the power to validate anything that is done in its name. Under this particular line of thinking, one could justify any type of relationship, including those considered unacceptable and incompatible with Christian teaching and conduct.

Let us also consider the familiar, popular question, “What would Jesus do?” with regard to same-sex marriage?

It is extremely important to remember that Jesus reached out to sexual sinners frequently. However, He at no time ever attended or participated in any kind of ritual that celebrated immorality.

Today, the words intolerant and discrimination are powerful words and often used to squash any opinion about moral behavior. In fact, not only is the demand today to keep our opinions to ourselves as to what people do, the equal demand is to affirm a long list of various lifestyles no matter how questionable or experimental.

Compassion, communication, and care must be exercised with regard to the subject of same-sex marriage. That said, do we as a society really have the right to redefine marriage so it is elastic enough to include any grouping of adults?

Ultimately, showing support for, and more importantly, standing upon The Authority of Scripture “for marriage between one man and one woman” is not intolerant. If so, then nature itself would be intolerant. Marriage was established by God Himself and as a result, cannot be redefined by each new generation.

Same-sex marriage: on what Biblical basis?

None.

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

The Oxford American Dictionary defines “silence” as, “absence of sound; avoidance or absence of speaking or of making a sound; the fact of not mentioning something.”

Today, 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)

Today, 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 transformative power of the Holy Spirit are not proclaimed – and, proclaimed to the virtually untouched mission field around the world called ‘the gay community.’

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, “They are probably all right as they are”?

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.

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

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, the U.S. Senate received 27 personal testimonies of once LGBTQ-identified individuals detailing their opposition to the Equality Act because it discriminates against them.

Let’s pray that this bill gets totally defeated and that God makes a way for more personal stories to be seen and heard by legislators.

My Testimony

The Honorable Chairman Dick Durbin and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley
Senate Judiciary Committee
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley:

On Wednesday, March 17, 2001, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be holding a hearing on the Equality Act. I am writing to express my opposition to this bill and share with you how it would have a direct negative effect on me and others like me.

While homosexuality is a topic I speak to and about both professionally and personally, I remain confident that many today are not aware there continues to be men and women with unwanted
same-sex attraction that have and are making the personal decision to leave homosexuality.

As a result, formerly gay-identified men and women are often reviled simply because they dare to exist.

Should not diversity and tolerance be a two-way street by recognizing and including the once gay-identified man or woman? We are real and we are here. Therefore, I must express my growing concern regarding the Equality Act and the often widespread intolerance practiced against those who choose to face and break free of the snare of same-sex attraction.

Thirty-five years ago I said goodbye to homosexuality and the gay identity. Like all faithful followers of Christ Jesus, I had to face the decision of accepting or rejecting Christ’s Lordship. Coming out of homosexuality required deep emotional healing and a restructuring of my whole identity, as our Creator, God is the only One who knows exactly how to restore our personality.

I remember so vividly when coming to know Christ at the age of 35, what it meant for the first time in my life to be a man. But more importantly, what it meant to be a godly man. For me to deny or not share what Christ has done in my life would be the equivalent of denying Him.

Thankfully and gratefully, I am far from the only individual who has experienced change. God has not been silent to the cries of men and women wanting freedom from homosexual feelings and behavior. Many have experienced the restorative power of Christ during their same-gender struggles.

One gay activist challenged me by stating, “Phillip, while I commend you regarding your concern about intolerance, I just can’t get my head your being ex-gay. Why don’t you just be true to yourself?”

“Be true to myself?” I replied. “That is exactly what I am doing.”

What makes one individual happy and content may not make someone else happy, because we are all individuals. Like any man or woman, I deserve the right to self-determination and happiness. To give sexual orientation protection to one group while excluding another is outright discrimination.

Without testimony from all sectors of society, including the ex-gay community, public policy on the topic of homosexuality is seriously flawed.

Formerly LGBTQ-identified men and women are routinely denied equal access to participate in public school events and present on diversity days.

Ex-gay conferences, workshops and seminars are frequently picketed by pro-gay protesters.

Transgender individuals are affirmed for changing their gender, but formerly LGBTQ-identified men and women are ridiculed for making the choice to address and pursue any degree of change with regard to sexual orientation.

Ex-gays are subject to an increasingly hostile environment where they are labeled as perpetrators of hate simply because they advocate for or live out a different belief and view of homosexuality.

Ex-gays are criticized and face lifelong intolerance for existing as living proof that homosexuality is not innate.

Frankly, the welfare of individuals, society, and the Church depends on our facing the subject of homosexuality honestly, compassionately, and courageously.

Yes, homosexuals have the right, as do others, to believe that homosexual behavior should be accepted as normal. However, they do not have the right to demand everyone agree with them.

True love is loving despite our differences and treating each other with kindness and respect.

It means to live in a society in which freedom of speech and religion are guaranteed.

A true code of ethics calls us to treat all people – heterosexuals, homosexuals, pan-sexuals, bisexuals, etc. – with compassion, and to do our utmost to promote justice and wellness for all. As a result, love and justice are the primary fundamental values which should govern our public policy concerns, as well as our personal attitudes and actions. Not only how we treat people as individuals, but the kinds of laws and social policies which we promote must reflect these basic values.

Ultimately, the Equality Act greatly concerns me in that many may get what they want through the Act but will they get what they truly need.

Respectfully,
Phillip Lee
Bakersfield, California

Whether the confession comes from a son or daughter, spouse or close friend, the admission of homosexuality hits like a bombshell, especially in Christian homes. Instantaneously, life seems completely out of control. You are now headed in a direction you never, ever thought you would be going.

Without fail, a week does not pass without my receiving at least one phone call or email expressing, “Well, I sure didn’t think I would ever be faced with this!” The majority of calls and emails come from pastors and parents due to a child’s or congregation member’s confession of same-sex attraction. Homosexuality always seems to be someone else’s problem until it knocks on your front door.

How well I remember having to make the above declaration to my parents. While my confession occurred many, many years ago, I recall, vividly, having to pick my mother up from the kitchen floor. The ironic truth is that while I felt an immediate sense of relief that “the problem” was now out, my parents, friends, and family members were instantly projected into a state of fear, bewilderment, and consumed by a myriad of emotions.

Once the initial impact has subsided a bit, while Christian families know God is the answer, it still takes a long time for them to wrap their mind around how to engage God in what they perceive as needing to be done. Make no mistake, when someone we know confesses their same-sex attraction, many Christians struggle with how to maintain a Christ-like manner and position.

Every individual that awakens to their issue of same-sex attraction has already been through quite a heart-wrenching process and therefore it really doesn’t matter whether the individual has embraced the gay identity or is still combating and resisting temptation as well as seeking freedom from same-sex attraction. Very often parents will respond to the crisis by focusing on their own pain and a deep sense of loss forgetting the individual plagued by same-sex attraction has already experienced a huge amount of pain and loss.

Speaking from experience, having waded through years of healing, discipleship, study, and surrender (at times, daily), when homosexuality hit my family, as it has a multitude of others, it brought pain, indescribable pain, and misunderstanding along with it. Largely, because (way back then), no one knew anything about the behavior. Frankly, the only comment anyone offered was, “It’s wrong!” Today, just like then, “that’s not good enough and completely unacceptable.”

Not long ago, a Christian friend and mother I have known for many years wrote me and once again uttered the expression I have heard so many times during the 21 years of His Way Out Ministries, “I never thought I would be contacting you with a problem of homosexuality in my family.” The mother was understandably shattered. Initially, while the mother did respond and react appropriately standing upon the right Scriptures, the son responded with a very interesting and revealing remark. He said, “Mom, you keep telling me how hard this is for you to hear and deal with. Don’t you realize how hard it has been for me these many, many years, being raised in a Christian home and knowing that once this got out it would kill you? Ultimately, I had to make a decision that I knew nobody would be happy with. Please consider and realize that I have my own demons to fight.”

Frankly, there is a great deal of truth in the son’s comments. Whether we agree or not with the son’s ultimately decision or conclusion that he is gay and entitled to act upon his feelings and desires (which I certainly do not), we must admit that he was right in saying he had reached his conclusion after going through quite an intense struggle on his own. It is very important to remember within the evolvement of same-sex attraction that homosexual tendencies are discovered but the gay identity is ultimately embraced. And, there is a considerable difference between the two.

When any individual discloses their battle with same-sex attraction, their confession enables an intriguing and powerful opportunity to the family and really to anyone that becomes aware. Can I truly continue to love him for who he is and not for what he does? As a Christ-follower, if we are becoming effective in not putting unrealistic expectations on ‘anyone,’ we are in line to accept them for who they are, not for what we wish they were. It is God’s part to give those that struggle with same-sex attraction abhorrence for the behavior – an abhorrence that will bring them to a place of complete surrender to the sovereignty of God in their lives and a desire to change.

While there are no specific verses in the Bible telling us under what circumstances, if any, we should adopt this or that policy toward a homosexual loved one, let’s consider a few specific communications that need to be offered with the hope and endeavor of keeping the lines of communication open. What the Bible says and why you disapprove of homosexuality every time you are with your child, friend, co-worker, etc., is not necessary state. However, do make sure the individual knows the following:

• You understand that he/she did not ask for these feelings.
• You appreciate their honesty and transparency in disclosing their issue with same-sex attraction.
• Your belief regarding homosexual practice as sin is not going to change.
• You want to protect your relationship through mutual respect and understanding.
• While you may never agree on the subject of homosexuality, you are committed to not letting that disagreement ruin your relationship.

As faithful followers of Christ Jesus, we must never affirm homosexual practice. But we can at least affirm the fact that the individual struggling with same-sex attraction has tried to be honest with us and has taken quite a risk in telling us, knowing it is not what we wanted to hear.

How well I remember disclosing my own battle with same-sex attraction and giving my family every reason to write me off. Frankly, there was no reason for my family to ever think I would repent and turn completely away from homosexuality. Thankfully, sometimes when God calls us to release a family member or friend through a prayer of relinquishment, that doesn’t mean He is releasing them as well. God is saying: “Do all you can do, continue to love them and wait.” Indeed, dealing with the discovery that someone you love has same-sex attraction issues is a difficult stewardship, but the God who gave us this stewardship has also equipped us to handle it and maintain a Christ-like attitude.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

Let me begin by asking the question, “What is a Christian?” A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, God’s anointed Son and lets that anointing influence “all” aspects of life and living. A Christian is someone who so identifies with Jesus that Jesus also identifies with them. I would submit the problem today is not so much individuals claiming identification with Him but whether Jesus claims and verifies His acceptance of us.

For some time now, the Church has been under pressure to offer a response to the above-mentioned question. There was a time when nearly everybody we knew could immediately and rightly answer this question. But it is not so now. Actually, many questions are being raised in our time about things we used to know quite well. Frankly, we have and continue to witness such change, such revolution in thought and morals, such disarray in ethics, such breakdown of tradition, and such religious insecurity that everything today is being questioned.

Those who wish to redefine sexual ethics so that ‘gay is OK’ are all around us. We know them, we may be friends with them, we may see them at the family reunion or work with them every day. Today, more than ever, the Church must take a courageous and intelligent stand on the issue of homosexual practice. Much of the debate occurring today regarding homosexual practice has resulted due to the approaches of homosexual advocates in their usage of interpreting the Scriptures. In fact, the current raging debate is really about the interpretation and use of Scripture.

If I define myself as a Christian, meaning I am a follower of Jesus Christ and all of His teachings, then whatever I personally feel or think must always take a back seat to whom God is and what He has clearly said. In other words, “Am I still serious about the spiritual, ethical, and social demands of Jesus Christ upon my life?”

There are those who argue that the Scriptures which clearly define homosexual practice as a sin have been taken entirely out of context and have been mistranslated. Are you and I really to believe that the Bible translators got it wrong each and every time (five different times), and in two different Testaments, and only on the Scriptures regarding homosexual practice? Those who promote homosexual practice as an OK, alternate lifestyle with God don’t seem to have any problem with other Scriptures that condemn such sins as adultery or fornication. The fact remains and the truth will continue to prevail that the Scriptures in Leviticus 18:22; 20:13, Romans 1:24-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (to mention just a few) are each mentioned in the context of sexual and immoral behavior. The context is abundantly clear – a variety of behaviors are prohibited; homosexual practice, along with adultery and fornication, is one of them.

A Christian’s life is a life lived in loyalty to Jesus Christ. The Christian life is also a life to be lived in His service and to His honor. And, a Christian is a man or woman that so identifies with Jesus that even that which may sorely tempt them still causes the individual to be fully and unconditionally committed to the Authority of Scripture, committed to Jesus, and forever fervent in following Him.

In terms of Scripture and the Church, the authority of Scripture and the Church’s integrity is compromised when those professing to be Christian misrepresent Christianity. When people claiming to follow Christ Jesus misrepresent Him through immorality, a Christian needs to speak up and present truth. If certain individuals are comfortable or accepting of homosexual practice, that is one matter; however, when statements or beliefs are presented as though homosexual practice now has the blessings of Christianity, now we have a problem.

Within the entire Word of God, there is not a single positive statement offered that homosexual practice is acceptable to God. Each and every time it is mentioned it is always (no exceptions) as a behavior in which a person is to refrain from practicing.

Let the world change its beliefs with regard to homosexual practice but a Christian must not. Let others close their eyes to moral concerns, but Christians must not. True, faithful followers of all the teachings of Christ Jesus must continue to live with conviction, commitment, and constancy.

Today, while the world continues to wax worse and worse, there is still something in a name and it is our privilege and responsibility to show it. Today’s Christian must be totally and completely committed to Christ, constant in obedience, and of contagious faith. That is what being a Christian is all about.

Clearly, the world is drowning in a sea of lust. Personally, I believe the growing acceptance of homosexual practice is one of the indications that civilization is on the verge of complete and total ruin. However, in all fairness, so is sexual promiscuity between heterosexuals. Unholy behavior between a man and a woman is not a more righteous form of sin than the same behavior between two people of the same sex. It may be more natural, but it is not more holy.

Can a Christian support homosexual practice? No. Homosexual practice runs completely and thoroughly against all Christian teaching and conduct and can in no way be supported by the Holy Scriptures.

A Christian is an individual that has been marked as a person intent to copy Jesus and imitate His example. Therefore, how could homosexual practice ever disclose the character of God?

Christians are those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, and are fully identified with Him in the business of life. And what was the business of His life? The business of Jesus was disclosing the character of God, identifying with human need, sharing the love of God, and gathering people into the fellowship of care.

Ultimately, becoming a Christian and continuing as a Christian calls for a settled will to live as Jesus requires in all matters of faith and practice.

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

Is it possible the New Testament is more relevant today than ever before? I offer the question because I am convinced if we are to help victims of sexual and relational brokenness, we must return to, if not recover, the spiritual principles of transformation. We find those principles in Romans 12:2, where it says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Please note that this is a command addressed to each and every person. The command “be transformed” is not an option. Therefore, today, the ministry of transformation must be a vital part of a renewed church.

Every Christian can attest to the fact that the world desires to shape us, not in the image of God, but in the image of the world. Scripturally and spiritually-speaking, transformation takes place, according to Romans 12:2, “by the renewing of your mind.” Clearly, when we set our minds on obedience to God’s Word and purposely and intentionally surrender our problems into God’s care, we are renewed. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, it states, “…inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” This is an inward process that takes time and none of us has “made it.”

We choose to allow God to take charge of our healing process. God never coerces us. Far too many people today conveniently blame biology or heredity for their behavior. This is particularly true with regard to same-sex attraction. No, we do not choose our environment or our heredity, but we do choose how we react to them.

There is no doubt the renewing of our mind begins with surrender and obedience to God. At some point, the person decides, “I’m doing it God’s way.” Personally, I remain convinced that any individual that fully and unconditionally surrenders their life to Christ Jesus, can, over time, experience victory over the many and various forms of sexual brokenness.

Within the transformation process is our responsibility of seeing ourselves as a Christian, that we are loved by God and that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins. This Scriptural fact is vital in transformation with the realization possibly happening any time during the process of transformation.

The belief by some that change is impossible for the same-sex attracted individual is a huge impediment to any homosexual deciding to begin the change process. That is why it is critically important we help people understand that homosexual behavior is never isolated in the Bible from other sins but always mentioned with other sins. God tells us through His Word that homosexuality is wrong because homosexual behavior is bad for us. Understanding and agreeing with this truth as the action of a loving God who wants the best for us, allows us to surrender to God and begin the process of change.

Too often, when we think of salvation, we think of it in our initial choice to follow Jesus. But rarely do we view our salvation as a process, which entails many choices and a string of deliverances. Our humanity, out of which our sexuality flows, will continue to bear the mark of the fallen age. But that does not minimize God’s power. Experiencing temptation, feeling irrationally threatened, acknowledging the need for ongoing accountability simply places us in a dynamic process of becoming whole.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep picking ourselves up each time. We will, of course, be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home, but the bathrooms are ready, the towels put out and the clean clothes are waiting. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give up. It is when we notice the dirt, that God is present in us. It is the very sign of His presence.”

Indeed, Romans 12:2 gives all Christians one of two choices – either to conform to an increasingly sexually broken world or be individuals of transformation. The Bible is full of people who changed. God loves us far too much to leave us in sin and God always offers us a way out.

God help us to understand that obedience, not success, is your will and desire.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee