I don't know if anyone else has heard the news about Ray Boltz going public about his homosexual pull and lifestyle; if not here is a brief by CT which contains the link to the interview he had with The Washington Blade? I would love to hear your thoughts especially in regards to how the church has been and should be dealing with those whom struggle with homosexuality. Living in the 'real world' now, I have met, become friends with, and been hit on by homosexual men, so your thoughts are much appreciated as I seek wisdom on how to love and witness to people with such a confusing struggle. Thanks
TC
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2008/09/ray_boltz_comes.html
3 comments:
Tom
I thought me hitting on you was going to stay between us. Not cool man, not cool.
Marc
P.S. Real comment to follow.
Hey bro!!
It's great to hear from you!!! We really miss you! Thanks for the Christmas card :)
In regard to this issue...
Three things that came to my mind….which you probably already thought of :)
1. Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27)--- We all know that we must love the person in spite of their sin. Too often the sin of homosexuality is black listed and we turn people away because we are uncomfortable. The church has to stop this! Homosexuality is a sin just like adultery, alcoholism, etc. The church will never be able to effect this community unless we show them love and acceptance.
-Acceptancedoes not mean that we allow them to continue to sin…BUT just as if they were a recovering alcoholic, we go on the journey of recovering righteousness with them.
2. Watch and Pray that you do not fall into temptation (Matt 26:41)---For many of we have never struggled with this sin, but Scripture reminds us that we need to be careful and keep watch. We all have heard story after story of great Christian men and women who have fallen into sin because they put themselves in some “iffy” situations. Yes, we should spend time building loving, Christ-honoring relationships with homosexuals, but we also must stay on our guard so that we do not fall into sin.
3. Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27)--- Ok, I know I already said this one, but I think this is very important! We must meet people where they are and love them where they are! Yes, we must “watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation.(Matt 26:41)” BUT the transformational power of Christ’s love in us can change peoples’ lives!!!
I know that this is nothing profound, but I pray that this helps. Homosexuality is an issue that the church must stop avoiding. Over the next several years the church is really going to have to wrestle with some big issues…. i.e. Do we let and active homosexual lead Bible study? Can an active homosexual be a helper in a class? Or the underling question in all of it…
Where do we draw the line between active sin and supplying leadership in the Church setting???
Tom, Love ya bro!!!
Lovingly Cheering Each of You On!!!!!
-Zach
This is a conversation the Church needs to be having. How do we make ourselves more accesible to gay, lesbian, bi and transgender people, a culture that have traditionally not been welcomed into the church?
The same way we reach out to liars, adulterers, addicts, and jerks. With Jesus.
We're called over and over to serve and love. Love and serve. How can we love if we force those around us to conform to a certain standard (a standard many IN the church don't even live up to on a regular basis) before extending that love? No. we love. Let the spirit convict. Or do we not have enough faith that the Spirit will actually do that? it's a test, I know. But really, do we believe that God reaches out to and into each person, convicting them of the ways he desires for them to change? Then let God do his thing.
I know the question then comes up, "well if we accept them then they'll want to teach sunday school. and we can't have people living in sin lead our children." i really think thats just an excuse. do we really think our current teachers, leaders, elders and pastors are all entirely sanctified? that they don't have some level of sin in their lives too? then why is that the standard when dealing with gays?
My answer is to love and serve. and i know its really not that simple, but maybe it is.
To paraphrase and alter an old Latin proverb...
"LOVE them all, and let God sort them out."
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