Witnessing to Homosexuals
(Editorial cartoon by Nick Anderson)
Homosexuality is a hot topic these days, and emotions run deep on both sides. Christians and gays each see the other as the enemy in the culture war, and unfortunately many homosexuals would see the above cartoon not as a caricature, but as a dead-on accurate portrayal.
So how do we Christians go about winning these "enemies" to Jesus?
First, we do what Jesus commanded and love our enemies. Not the mushy kind of love that says "live and let live", but the tough love that balances hard truth with gentle humility ("clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." -Colossians 3:12). At the very least that means treating homosexuals with respect and simply listening to what they have to say, even if we strongly disagree. In the few encounters I've had with homosexuals, as soon as the conversation turns to religion you could cut the tension with a knife. In order to have a chance at being heard, I need to bend over backwards to be polite and friendly and show a genuine interest in understanding their point of view--even if it is dead wrong.
Second, listen sincerely but don't get roped into a debate about homosexuality. Avoid it like the plague. They will be ready with gloves on. Instead, remember that their urgent need for salvation is much bigger than just that one individual sin. There are still nine other commandments that they are guilty of breaking. Focus on them and set homosexuality aside. Help them to understand that they need a Savior not because they are homosexuals, but because they are sinners (as we all are). The ground is level at the cross.
Third, remember that while it may be our job to catch the fish, it is the Holy Spirit's job to clean them. We don't get our lives straightened out first and then come to Jesus. Rather, we come to him as humble and broken sinners and then He starts the life-long process of growing us in holiness. This may mean starting with the small sins (i.e. lying and swearing) and then working up to the bigger sins (i.e. homosexuality). I know of former homosexuals who still struggled with the gay lifestyle for several years after coming to Christ before they finally found freedom.
There are no simple answers or silver bullets. But these tips can help to keep a highly charged situation from blowing up in your face.
posted by Cedricstudio at 5:55 PM
4 Comments:
I appreciate your emphasis Cedric - indeed salvation is more important that orientation. It is funny but homosexuality is one of those 'sins' we insist on having cleaned up before we can let them meet Jesus. Not only is that wrong, it totally flies into the face of Jesus eating and drinking with the marginalized. I think we agree that bringing people to Christ is more important that making sure they meet our own code of ethics before they come. Until the Church gets that we will continue to marginalize these people that Jesus died for, not sure I want to deal with that one when the Judge comes. Sure it is difficult, sure it is messy, sure it makes us uncomfortable. But fact is we live in a fallen world and it ain't going to get more comfortable until the soon coming of our Great King. Great post.
"This may mean starting with the small sins (i.e. lying and swearing) and then working up to the bigger sins (i.e. homosexuality)." -Cedric
There's a discussion over at the Drawing Board that has hit upon this topic. I've read most of the Bible, yet I don't recall ever coming across anything that states that homosexuality is a greater sin than other sins. I know that the Bible implies that there are degrees to sin, but does it ever put them in any type of order from most worst to least worst?
Here's the link if you care to chime in with an answer:
http://www.drawingboard.org/viewtopic.php?p=490849#490849
Luke
Good question Luke. Instead of talking about "greater" and "lesser" sins, maybe I should have said "sins that are easier to overcome" and "sins that are harder to overcome". A friend who was a former homosexual once told me that when he became a Christian it was much less of a challenge for him to give up drinking and swearing than it was for him to give up his homosexuality. It took a few years before he came to the point that he could trust God to help him leave that lifestyle, becuase it was so much a part of who he was. He had been heavily involved in the gay lifestyle for many years (and many partners), but gradually God helped him to find victory in that struggle, to the point where he even entered seminary and got married. My point is, we surrender to Jesus and then He gradually leads us out of darkness--not the other way around.
I've been studying John lately and I think there is a correlation between the revelation of Jesus in our lives (our growing understanding of Jesus) and what that understanding calls us to. I started out in a Christian context where they expected the whole shooting match to be won at salvation - and many things fell away. But some of those sins crept back in because I had no foundation and a limited understand/experience with Jesus. As I grew in my faith I began to realize that God invites us in to a process (journey if you like) that transforms us more and more into His image (heart for us). God never forces us into this, but invites us. In that process God helps us to overcome the things that keep us from continuing the journey. I think it was John White (Eros Redeemed) who talked about dealing with the issues the Father touches and not worrying so much about fighting on fronts that you keep getting defeated in. It makes sense because often brokenness has deep roots and God wants to bring deep and lasting wholeness to our lives, not a facade that breaks under pressure. I agree with Luke that there is no hierarchy of sins, but I can't agree that any sin is easier or harded because we are all different.
The other interesting thing is the whole language of sin. It is a langauge that the devil has tied to shame. I get upset when I read material that tries to use shame as if it is God's tool. God opens up possibilities for people, sin should mean missing the mark of God's best for us (something that only with God's help can we address). But the psyche created by years of holiness preaching has made that word quite alien from its context. I was reading a book recently that made this mistake. It presented an awesome story about a young guy overcoming sexual temptation, he did the right things by praying and calling on friends to help. However, the author completely missed the point and his study questions asked if this story made you feel ashamed of your own efforts to overcome sexual sin. Shame is the devil's tool to keep one in bondage. Shame prevents us from reaching out for help. And it is quite different from conviction which gives us no choice but to reach out for help. All this to say that I think the langauge of sin is not as useful as it could be in evangelism.
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