Loving Them

As a Christian, one's first thought should always be "how do I love them?" and not "what is their sin?"

For an idea that would appear fairly simple, the topic of homosexuality has acquired some rather odd nuances to its discussion. There are few things that a homosexual person is, and there are many things that they are not. To delve into the proper way to speak to and behave around the aforementioned people, one must first understand what kind of people they are.

 A homosexual person is still a person! The most defining characteristic of a human being is their humanity, with no regard to their sexual orientation or character attributes. In the love of Jesus Christ, a believer must recognize and know that a homosexual person is a person made in the imago dei (God-Image) and most definitely possesses a soul.

Everyone is a sinner, and everyone who has sinned must pay the same penalty. The only difference between the sin of the saved and that of a non-believer lies within the penance Christ has paid for the sins of the saved. In the eyes of the Lord, homosexuality does not warrant a different ultimate consequence than a simple lie or act of envy.

Homosexuality is not contagious. It is not a disease. One will not become homosexual by spending time with homosexuals. One will also find that the strong majority of homosexual people will not attempt to sway one to homosexuality if it is not their desire.

Homosexuality is neither a genetic fact of one's life, nor is it necessarily a freely made choice. The American Psychological Association (APA) describes sexual orientation as "refer[ring] to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes" and "most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation." The APA is not saying that homosexuality is an immutable fact of one's life. However, attraction to a specific gender is, like any other psychological trait, is a result of heritage and the environment one was raised in (commonly referred to as nature vs. nurture). 

So what is a Christian's response to an encounter with a homosexual person? To love them just as Christ loves us. In Luke 15, Jesus describes to us, through three parables, how he views a lost soul. God and the Heavens rejoice at the redemption of one soul. A Christian knows this, and should strive with his utmost strength to live as one who loves and cares for their homosexual friends. When you love and care for someone, their sin becomes much less important when juxtaposed with the impending loss of their friend's soul.

So how does loving the sinner work, if a believer finds themselves in the position of not being Jesus? A believer cannot dismiss the iniquities of another human being. A believer can remember, as Paul remembered in 1 Corinthians 15:10, that the believers are only saved because God saved them. 

A Christian is not responsible for converting the soul of a non-believer. A Christian is only responsible for sharing the love, grace, and word of God. No person can force another human being to believe in something they do not wish to believe. Knowing this, a believer can relax. The Christ-follower can worry not about the number of souls they have saved, and instead focus on the relationships they have established.

This is not taking a stance and pointing a finger at the sinner, telling them about their damnation. 

This is not turning every conversation into a Jesus sales pitch.

This is living a life of joy. 

This is reaching out a hand and telling the sinner that they are loved; they are loved by you and the Lord. And that nothing will satisfy their desires and emptiness until He fills their heart.

This does not translate to "curing" homosexuality. Homosexuality is not a virus working its way into the Modern Era; it is a sin like all other sins, rooted in the privation and corruption of something good. Prayer and biblical counseling (from those wiser or with more knowledge than the typical believer) should be involved. No individual will change their mind about their sexuality unless they come from a heart of genuine understanding and repentance. Do not force the issue; but, instead allow God to work within the hearts of those you have spoken to. Trust that He will work as He sees fit and know that you have no ultimate control over the outcome no matter what.

So how does a Christian treat the homosexual individual? Just like any other non-believer: with love, mercy, and the desire to share with them the only thing that matters in this volatile and unpredictable performance we call our mortal lives.