Written by Hezrone Lorraine
Please take time to read and digest carefully, then make your comments.Thanks
Can you be a Christian and still be gay? Yes, I believe you can!
First, do you think Christians are being truthful when they say: Love the Sinner and Hate the Sin. I find Christians at conflict with these words.
For those who say a person cannot be gay and Christian, you have no authority to make that statement.
A person's Christianity is between them and Jesus; you don't enter into the equation.
Realizing that you're gay is sometimes difficult. Maintaining your faith while living authentically as a Gay person is even more difficult - sometimes you feel ostracized or isolated from both groups.
But you can find a balance, and continue to be a person of deep religious faith even as you live as a gay or lesbian.
Trying to follow Jesus is a relationship, not a religion, and it is open to all who believe - gays included.
- Realize what Christianity is all about!
Being a Christian is not about being gay or straight, black or white, male or female, free or slave... Christianity is about Jesus Christ. Christianity means "Christ-like" and every Christian "...who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" - 1John 2:6. - No one can lose their salvation. Once a follower of Jesus is truly born again, they cannot be "unborn." Anyone who tells you that being gay will cause you to lose your salvation
is being cynical, and could not be any more correct by saying the same thing to themselves for being "unloving Christians"(obviously). Remember the Prodigal Son. He rejected his father, asked for his inheritance before his father was even dead,took the inheritance - and left. When the son was done "squandered his wealth in wild living" he was met by a major famine and realized that even his father's servant ate better than he did and set back home. Can you turn your back on someone any more than that? Did his father stop loving him? No. Does God ever stop loving you? NO. You may even fall away from your faith. Like the prodigal Son,
when people realize when they are at the bottom of their rope...depressed, hungry and willing to do anything God says just to be in the lowest part of God's court, God will be searching for their return, still accepting us,still loving us. - There is no such thing as "conditional"Salvation . God knew that sin would be a fact of everyone's life, all of our lives. Jesus says that we should not only forgive the first time someone sins against us, but "seventy times seven." That's in Matthew, by the way. How many people would you forgive after they did the same thing to you, not once, not twice, but
490 times? And yet, that's what Jesus commanded. How many of the church people
you know could say they would be willing to do
that? Not many, if they were honest. Probably
not even one could. Yet God will, and does.
Even if you accept the idea that being gay is a sin (which most, if not all churches do),remember that all Sin, except for rejecting Christ, can be repented from, and this pertains to ALL Christians - it is the same to God as any other sin (any sin is enough to keep you out of Heaven, if not for Jesus' vicarious atonement).
You can take great comfort in knowing that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for you - there is nothing you have done, or ever will do that's big enough to keep you away from Him.Stand on the simplicity of Jesus Christ's completed work . As Jesus was dying on the cross, He said, "It is finished." But the Hebrew translation says, "It is completed." Either way you want to say it, it means the same thing -when Jesus gave His life on the cross, He paid the price for everyone's sin, once and for all.
No one can add anything or take anything away from this work - it was completed by Jesus alone. No matter what else others may say is necessary for you to achieve salvation,remember that Jesus has already completed this work. Obeying the 10 Commandments is incredible difficulty (I mean impossible),according to Jesus ""...My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:30, why, maybe it's because you don't have to do anything but accept you are bought by Jesus, and now are His servant. - Have faith. Don't let those who would hang you up on loopholes or technicalities convince you that you aren't really saved. The Bible is very clear. It doesn't say, "Do good works to your neighbor to be saved," or "first, get right with God," but we can quote a little here:"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH on me hath everlasting life." - (John 6:43-47). Well that's simple, so the next question is what does it mean to believe? John 14:15 - ""If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." It also says, "…and all our righteousness are as filthy rags." —Isaiah 64:6.Very simply put, you cannot do anything to get into Heaven or to save yourself - except to
- Believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
When it comes right down to it, those people are really saying that what Jesus did was good enough to save them, but not to save you.Believe in Jesus by doing what he tells his
followers, and everything will take care of itself. - Accept that you may need to find a new church home . Some Christian religious bodies, unfortunately, seem to feel that excommunication is necessary. First, they may pressure you to renounce your homosexuality.
When you are unable to comply, they may inform you that you are no longer welcome to their fellowship(who wants to be in a congregation that no longer accepts you anyway). Never mind that Jesus would never do this - He insisted upon spending time and cultivating relationships with people the church despised, which were people "who were knowingly in need of a savior". You're in good company. Find a new church where you can be welcomed and accepted, because in the end,it's all about getting in focus on Jesus Christ and it's hard to focus on Him when you focus on the fingers being pointed at you. - Listen critically and apply logic. Most people are simply resistant to ideas they themselves are not familiar with. Be logical and remain calm - above all back up everything brought to the table with scripture. Being a Christian is not about male or female,black or white, straight or gay, It's about Jesus Christ and his salvation for those who believe in him by doing what he says.
- Remember that this is about Jesus Christ, not you or anyone else . Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't really saved, that your faith isn't good enough, or that "even the devil believes in Jesus (actual passage says - "even the devil believes that God is one"wink This is your Walk. Walk it Jesus's way, not any other way,with a humble heart and heads held high, remembering that it is you who will stand before Jesus one day and answer Him as to whether you owned Him as your Lord and Savior - those people will not be able to answer for you. Have confidence that He knows your heart and will know that your answer is true.
- Maintain your sense of humility without sacrificing self awareness . People who don't have a gay person in their lives (or at least,don't realize that they do) may surprise you
with their reactions. If someone makes a joke about gays, don't feel the need to 'join in' by laughing. If you are offended, don't laugh, and if they question why you don't find it humorous, simply tell them as a person that you don't agree with the context and share your views. This honest reaction does not require you to "put yourself in the cross hairs" by explaining that your gay. - Remain a person of dignity, integrity and faith . Even if your present church refuses to accept you as you are, there will be others who will welcome you if only society and the laws of the land allows,the case hasn't been so here in Nigeria where A Faith assembly for Gays has been under criticism and violent threats and attacks. Rather than crying forever over the things you have lost, try instead to focus on the blessings you do have in your life.
Remember to read your Bible! Remember what a Christian means.
Many gay people around the world today most especially in a continent like ours have been pushed out of the religious circle.
They've felt the urge to do away with their faith and no longer value God.
Please it's not too late to identify with God, he doesn't scare away, he's always there to hear you even if society teaches otherwise.
Attendance in Church is not what defines Christianity, it is your heart, the place of Christ in your life.
You can start with a little prayer. Just try it. You may still be at conflict with your sexuality and how religion sees it.
The effort you make today to get back on track can teach you more on how to live everyday either you're gay or not.
This is the first part of The Series. Next week sunday, I'll post a part2. Please stay tuned, God Bless.
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