The LGBTQ issue has been something I’ve talked about a lot, not only on this blog but in many other places as well. By now, I’m sure you know where I stand on the matter. If you aren’t aware, however, I’ll simply say that it is a non-issue for me. I explain my reasoning here, here, here, and especially here. Agree or disagree, that’s where I’m at with things.
That said, in this piece I wanted to take a bit of a different approach than my usual LGBTQ-inclusive apologetics and flesh out a thought experiment I recently did. What I’ve been doing is focusing on Galatians 5:22–23, on what Paul calls the “fruit of the Spirit.” They are as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Now, with these things in mind, when I then start thinking about the LGBTQ folks I know and love, I begin to see a pattern. What is it? They are just as filled with the Spirit as their heterosexual counterparts. In many instances, they are even more Spirit-filled. Let me offer some examples so you can see where I’m coming from, because if you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s simply because you aren’t yet looking.
Love
It is fairly clear to my mind that LGBTQ folks love others just as well anyone. To say otherwise is, well, starkly ignorant. You see, many—including the gentleman who runs my website—are in committed, long-term relationships, make terrific parents, as well as dedicated friends. Many go out of their way to bless others, even those who we would consider their “enemies.” Sounds quite Christlike, if you ask me.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Joy
In spite of all the bigotry and hatred spewed at them, many LGBTQ folks live joyous lives. They are, for the most part, content and happy—as much as straight folks anyway. Whenever they’ve entered a room I’m in, their joy has often become infectious.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Peace
I’ve not known one LGBTQ person who was violent. I’m sure they are out there, but that’s beside the point. Many are not. Many are peaceful: forgiving, merciful, non-retributive, and so on. Many are also dedicated to finding peaceful solutions to the world’s problems. Many are activists, seeking restorative justice even for those who’ve persecuted them and other marginalized people groups. Indeed, many—like my friend Brandan Robertson—preach the gospel of peace.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Patience
LGBTQ folks are extremely patient. At least the ones I know. Not only are they patient in their daily lives but they have also been patient with me as I deconstructed my formerly held views that they were “sinful” simply for being non-straight. I’m overwhelmingly grateful for this and owe them a debt of gratitude.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Kindness
When thinking about what it means to be kind, numerous LGBTQ folks come to mind: Ex-coworkers who went out of their way to show kindness to strangers, current colleagues who have kindly reached out to me to give me a word of encouragement, friends of my daughter who have been instrumental in her development, and on and on. In short, they’ve been the embodiment of what it means to be kind to others.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Generosity
LGBTQ folks are notoriously generous. I’ve seen it first-hand. The gay gentleman who runs my website, for instance, does so out of the kindness of his heart. I’m not sure how many hours he’s put into developing the site, but I know it’s a lot. And it’s pro bono, too! Any money he’s received was unexpected—I gave simply because I recognized his generosity and wanted to give back for how much time he’s given to me.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Faithfulness
Not only are LGBTQ romantic partnerships as faithful as their heterosexual counterparts, but so too are their platonic ones. Indeed, my gay friends have been loyal through and through. They’ve been the embodiment of consistency, and while their relationships of course experience the same ebbs and flows as all other relationships, so very many have remained faithful and true.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Gentleness
LGBTQ people are amazingly gentle. I’ve been touched by how nurturing they can be. When I’ve been at my lowest, I’ve had many gently remind me of my self-worth and the good I bring to the world. They’ve done this, furthermore, without condemnation in their hearts and judgment on their lips. And it’s been a gentle reminder to how amazing these folks can be.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Self-Control
LGBTQ folks exhibit a good deal of self-control, especially given the fact that they have endured an unfair amount of social scapegoating and marginalization. I don’t know about you, but if I had to endure such crap I am not sure I would have as much self-control as them.
If you haven’t noticed these same things, perhaps it’s because you aren’t yet looking.
Now, given how obviously Spirit-filled many in the LGBTQ community are, what shall we then say? Well, Paul puts it perfectly in Galatians 5:23: “There is no law against such things.” Hence, should LGBTQ folks live in the spirit of love, then there shall be no law against them. Should they live with joy and give bring joy to others, then there shall be no law against them. Should they live in peace, then there shall be no law against them. Should they be patient, and kind, and generous, and faithful, and full of self-control, then again, there shall be no law against them.
I hope you seriously consider these things, not only for your sake, but especially for the sake of those whom we in the church have consistently marginalized and scapegoated.
May we all live in love and have peace with one another.
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