Yes, great dialogue. I am thankful to God that we are a group that wrestles with this issue. Here are some foundational statements followed with commentary:

Jesus loves His glory
Jesus loves us - applies to people of differing sexual paradigms and obedience
Jesus desires for us to experience the grace and forgiveness by the power of the cross
Jesus desires for us to be conformed to His image by the power of the resurrection

This past Monday night we talked about the difference between the cross and the resurrection. We talked about how the cross changes our position by taking care of sin. The cross brings justification (declared righteous though we are not) and removes the separation between God/Trinity and us. The cross makes us a new creature - we go from being a creation of God (no intimate relationship) to being a child of God (intimate relationship).

The resurrection represents the power to live. It is the ZOE (greek word for dynamic, spiritual life) placed within us. The Holy Spirit indwells us to empower us. We are freed from sin by the cross. We live life through the resurrection.

What does this mean for this discussion?
It means that Christ wants a person to experience the position of grace first. Then He wants a person to experience the transformation of grace.

Do we approach any person and declare they must change their lifestyle before Christ will rescue them? NO! This is moralism. This is works theology. Therefore, we must also love people BEFORE they change.

Does this mean that we cannot speak into a “friend’s” life who is self-destructive? No, it doesn’t. Even if your friend is a non-Christian, we should love them enough to tell them that what we see is harmful.

So what is the key here? Relational connection with a love for the gospel. Don’t miss the “relational connection” part. Rod’s initial comments spoke of his relational connection to others who are not Christ-followers. Several others who have responded have lives full of these connections as well. THAT is what it means to be a missional church. And THAT is what it means for a “church” to accept/love someone with a homosexual lifestyle, sinful heterosexual lifestyle.

I was once met weekly with a man who was not a Christian. It was a classic case of prediscipleship. We met and talked about his story and Christ’s story. He did not buy into the deity of Christ at that point. After a few weeks he said something along the lines of, “I’m going to tell you something, but I’m afraid that you will reject me.” I told him I loved him and my love would not change. He told me that he was “gay.” I told him that I loved him and my love would not change. We discussed what God has to say (in the bible) about homosexual activity. But I told him I was more interested in a change of his being than a change in his behavior. It is important not to get the cart before the horse. This man surrendered to Christ (not morality) within three months. He no longer lives a homosexual lifestyle. He too, is an imperfect follower of Christ, rescued by Christ.

For the record, there has been more said and written about heterosexual sin than about homosexual sin. I have not specifically mentioned homosexuality in preaching (though I will as appropriate) but I have mentioned heterosexual sins as well as pride/”false humility” often.

Finally, will someone with homosexual lifestyle be offended if they come to a worship gathering? Yes, but hopefully it will be the offense that comes from Christ and His story. Jesus is an “equal opportunity offender.” We all come face to face with our sinfulness when we are in the presence of Him and His story. It is only after our “righteousness” is exposed as being as clean as a used tampon (this is a direct reference to Isaiah 64:6). That offends me. That offends everyone. May we embrace this offense as a gift of revelation.

This leaves NO place for SELF-righteousness. This places us all face first in the dust before a holy God. May we stay there. May we encourage others to be there.

Reach out to all fellow sinners. Love them with your life. Be assured that Christ and the gospel IS the completion of their narrative. Share that with them at the appropriate, Spirit-led moment. Because of the cross, stand on even ground with them. Even better, humble yourself and bow before Christ on that even ground.

For Christ and His transformation of us,

–
David Thew
Sojourn Founding Pastor

David Thew
Sojourn Pastor
Thewblog
twitter.com/davidthew