Hope for Homosexuals
There is a popular pastor in America who has been causing unnecessary heartache among the LGBT community and distorting people’s perception of the gospel: Steven Anderson. This man has been propped up by the mainstream media to speak on the issue homosexuality and is a major contributing factor to the misinformation in our culture surrounding the Christian view of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people. Anderson has an unbiblical view of homosexuality, and it’s not what you’re thinking. You probably think I mean that he condones homosexuality, but you’d be wrong. He does in fact believe that homosexuality is morally wrong, but that’s where his biblical view on the subject stops. Steven doesn’t just preach that same-sex behavior is wrong; he goes even further and says that gay people, even if they repent of their sin (including homosexuality) and trust in Christ for salvation, cannot be saved! In case you think I’m exaggerating, listen to this answer he gave to a man during a phone call:
Caller: “I was just wondering, is it possible for somebody that was gay to actually be saved and come to Christ?”
Anderson: “No, I don’t believe so because of the fact that, you know, if you look at John chapter twelve...”
*Spoiler Alert* There’s nothing that even remotely suggests that homosexuals cannot repent and be saved in John chapter twelve. In fact, there is no scripture that suggests that! On the contrary, we actually have biblical evidence of homosexuals repenting and becoming Christians! Take a close look at one of the key passages that is used to demonstrate the unrighteous nature of homosexuality: 1 Corinthians 6. Most will likely be familiar with this passage and will immediately recognize it.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 [NIV] - “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This is a well known passage, but the very next verse is crucial for the topic at hand.
1 Corinthians 6:11 [NIV] - “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Such were some of them. Some of them were adulterers. Some were thieves. Some were drunkards. Some practiced homosexuality. But. They were washed, cleansed, sanctified, and justified. In other words, they didn’t stay adulterers, thieves, drunkards, and homosexuals; They repented and believed in Jesus Christ. This in no way means that the former homosexuals did not continue to struggle with the temptation of same sex attraction; just as it in no way means that the former thieves did not continue to struggle with the temptation to steal, or that the former adulterers did not continue to struggle with lust. Rather, it means that they began fighting their flesh and resisting these temptations. At first, as most every Christian can attest, this denial of sinful desires can be extremely difficult, but, from the moment we are saved, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, sanctifying us and transforming us to become more like Christ. With time, in most cases, resisting temptation becomes much easier as we walk by the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 [NIV] - “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16 [NIV] - “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
It is important to note that experiencing same-sex attraction is not in and of itself a sin. When you decide to act on that desire, you have moved into the realm of sin. You may not have chosen to have this attraction, but you can choose not to give in to the temptation. And if you are one who is experiencing this temptation, take heart! You are not “stuck that way.” There are countless people who have been where you are and are no longer plagued by those attractions. Many even ended up in godly heterosexual marriages! These stories are not hard to find, and there are people who can help you in your struggles.
Homosexual behavior is sinful. But that does not mean that there is no hope for those who have committed these acts. The call from your Creator is the same as is for all of fallen humanity. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ. He has grace enough for you!
Recommended Resource:
Video: Steven Anderson vs The Biblical Gospel