In the past, I made a practice of limiting my commentary on certain issues. Maybe it was because I was afraid that my words would be hurtful to someone else. Or maybe the fear of being “cancelled” was present before we ever coined a word for the movement itself. I’m not sure which is more true. What I do know is that I didn’t want to be viewed as one of those crass, judgmental Christians incapable of embracing the views of others. Even amid my own fears, it remains true that some people fail to consider that we all have the right to certain viewpoints and perspectives. Viewpoints and perspectives that we should be able to express without fear of reprisal. One of these perspectives being what Christians believe about the LGBTQ movement.
Standing up for what we have read, studied, and believe to be right or true is what authenticates our identity. But all people’s truth is not God’s truth. However, when being right is anchored in the truth of God’s word, it’s impossible to refute the words of someone who is absolute truth.
We Have Rights!
We often hear people vehemently declare, “we have rights,” to convey the need to be acknowledged and respected. But some of these same individuals don’t seem to mind emphatically denying others access to those rights. Herein lies an area of grave contradiction and double standard.
In recent years, we have entered a situation where civil rights have been compared to circumstances that may not necessarily align in principle. Race relations have been examined against the right to decide one’s sexual orientation. Gender equality compared to civil equality as it concerns gender identity. We’ve even seen legislation bow to the pressures of these assertions through bills such as the Equality Act. And although, as image bearers, we all have the right to be treated with respect and honor, some things we subscribe to don’t deserve that same honor.
The Right to Choose
It is an immutable fact that we do not choose our race or sex at birth. This is where we trust that our Creator knows what He’s doing when issuing out chromosomes and DNA. But what we do with our bodies, who we choose to have relations with and be attracted to are all conscious decisions we make of our own accord. Hence, how we can be attracted to someone one day and then change the target of that attraction the next.
If these were not choices, what makes us identify 60-year-old men as predators when they find themselves attracted to 14-year-old girls? What makes us deem this as egregious, vile behavior while praising others? No matter the view, all of these choices are sinful in God’s eyes and are what made the sacrifice of Christ necessary.
Just to Clear the Air
No true follower of Christ wants to see gay or transgender people threatened or harmed in any way. Acts like the mass shootings at the nightclubs in Orlando and Colorado Springs should be considered extremely heinous acts, especially by the believer. But this obligatory compassion and concern for the human race does not dismiss the fact that many Christians have deep, faith-based convictions about marriage and sexual identity.
We believe, according to Scripture, that marriage is a holy commitment made between a man and woman before God. And we believe that the Creator has given DNA and anatomy as the only identifiers of gender. All beliefs that should be protected and practiced in liberty.
True Christians who adhere to Biblical teachings shouldn’t be seen as bigots, homophobes, transphobes, or cruel people. Some just don’t want to be made to feel like we must be tolerant to the beliefs of others when others may not meet us with that same tolerance. God doesn’t even force Himself on us. He gives us free will to choose to love Him. And in acquiescing to the concept of free will, we underscore the right of the Christian to say, “no,” to beliefs that don’t align with Scripture.
Living in Fear
Movements like cancel culture and acts like the Equality Act subject healthcare providers, churches, small business owners, insurance companies, Christian influencers, etc. to punitive action for adhering to their beliefs. Beliefs that are challenged by those who, like believers, make a choice to do what they will with their bodies and lives. And some would call this fair. But how?
It would seem that making certain choices should exclude society as a whole. Being that, without pursuing overreaching accommodations, most Americans can live the life they desire. But with increasing consideration being placed on one group of people, this can incite certain fears. Fears that should not be endured. Simply because, just as there are those who will not affirm ideals they deem immoral, there are those who will.
These fears reinforce the petition Paul issued for us to pray without ceasing. And these fears leave us clinging to the God whose promises we can trust fully.
Walking in Faith
To commit to a belief that everyone will eventually follow the teachings of Scripture would prove disappointing. Many of us acknowledge that not everyone will hold to the belief that God created male and female. Many won’t believe that He did not make a mistake when He assigned gender. Or that He was not mistaken when He commanded man and woman to be fruitful and multiply as husband and wife. However, as believers, we hold out hope. Hope that as many as will hear the Gospel will trust what God has divinely laid out for us.
Taking a pragmatic approach to these things will allow all parties to see the importance of God allowing us to bear His image. An image given in love and restored through the blood of Christ. It’s not homophobic, transphobic, or derogatory for the Christian to ask for the preservation of the right to choose what they will or will not concede to. And it is not outrageous to expect this request to be granted.
Our Hope
Committed to continue working, believers know that it is impossible to unify a fractured system that is prophetically being dismantled. This is why we must remain strong. And why we should seek to win as many lost souls as possible to Christ. This is the reason we must never forfeit our obligation to the Great Commission. We must hold fast to the Gospel, share it with fervor and love, and expect a harvest of battle-ready soldiers.
This Gospel may come with its share of persecution, cancellations, ridicule, and sacrifice. But what we may suffer can’t compare to the glory that will one day be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).
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