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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

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

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