Fifteen to twenty years ago there was little discussion about same sex marriage and transgendered personalities. Homosexuality was was moving from the view of a chosen lifestyle fraught with the dangers of AIDS to a natural inborn preference. Now the news and media is filled with images of gay married couples and transgendered persons. To be honest, I'm glad my kids are grown, because I don't think I would want to be having to explain transgendered to a six year old. As the old commercial used to say, "What's a mother to do?"
However, I've have been concerned about the many posts by "Christians" regarding the issues of homosexuality, same sex marriage, and the transgendered. I've been concerned by some who embrace these issues wholeheartedly and suggest that all believers should accept gay marriage and the transgendered without hesitation because God does. I've also been concerned by some who have belittled, mocked, etc. homosexual couples/individuals and transgendered persons. Some of the posts/blogs I've read are down right vitriolic. What's baffling is that some of those same "Christian" individuals who bash homosexual behavior are non condemning of heterosexual couples who are engaging in sex outside of marriage or the guys who engage porn.
It's an issue facing the church today that many never even imagined would have to face. A year ago I approached the elders of my church regarding what our policy would be when same sex marriage became legal in our state. One of my elders emphatically stated, "This is Oklahoma. We won't have to be facing that for a long time." Within months of that encounter, Oklahoma's law prohibiting same sex marriage was struck down by the courts and same sex marriage is now legal in our state. Now I'm wondering how the church is going to deal with transgendered persons, including children who attend our churches and want to go on ladies' or men's retreats, use their transgendered restrooms, or children in our youth programs.
I've often wondered how the Apostle Paul felt when he started preaching in Corinth and Ephesus, communities known for their pagan temple worship involving homosexuality. I heard a speaker one time exclaim that Corinth made San Francisco look like a Sunday School picnic. Sexual immorality of all kinds were prevalent in both cities, yet Paul stayed three years in Ephesus and wrote more than one letter to the church at Corinth. Other than Romans, Ephesians may be the most theological book in the New Testament.
Although there are some clear teachings prohibiting homosexual practice, we have to remember that Jesus also clearly stated in John 3:17 that He didn't come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him would be saved. If we are to be like Jesus, then our practice and speech should like that of Jesus. Remember, Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day when criticized for hanging out with publicans and sinners that He came to the sick, those in need of healing.
So how are we, as believers today, supposed to handle the issues of homosexuality, same sex marriage and the transgendered? How do you think Jesus would have handled it? We are aliens to this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. This isn't our world. As the old Negro Spiritual proclaims, "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through."
So if this isn't our turf, what should be our approach to these issues? Jesus has some counsel for us in Matthew 10:16-20. He recognizes that He is sending us into the world as sheep among wolves. First of all, remember, HE is doing the sending. We are HIS representatives proclaiming HIS message of love, grace and redemption. When people encounter us, they should be encountering Jesus, and as Jesus said, whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.
Second, He told us to be wise or shrewd as serpents, but harmless/inoffensive as doves. The Message Version says we shouldn't be calling attention to ourselves as we run through the wolf pack. Jesus tells us that some people will impugn our motives and smear our reputation. Some will even try to take legal action against us. He then tells us that we should rejoice because it will give us the perfect opportunity to announce and proclaim the Kingdom and show, demonstrate and share the Good News of Jesus. And in those moments of confrontation, as we align ourselves with Christ, the Holy Spirit will give us what we should say. Isn't that cool? God says that He will give us the right words to say in those critical moments through His Holy Spirit! What a promise! When I don't know what to say or how to react, respond, etc, The Holy Spirit will jump in and show us, tell us, speak for us. That is awesome!
Knowing that causes me to want to go back and read through the Gospels again and again, paying attention to the patterns and practices of Jesus. I want to be ready when the time comes. Not to respond in my theology, but in love and grace and wisdom and mercy and hope of Jesus.
God, sometimes I just don't know what to say or do. I don't know the best way to stand up for Your truths. I know You said that we shouldn't cast our pearls before swine, but it become awkward trying to live and proclaim Your standards in world that is moving in the opposite direction, in fact stand opposed to Your truths. I want to love people the way You do, to see people the way You see them. Pour Your Spirit out on me anew. Flow through me. Allow me to have the wisdom and words and behavior that best represents You. Take away my condemning Spirit and grant me the air of Your presence.
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