I read this with trepidation, as often such musings turn sour; by the end I was encouraged by your care and clarity. Specks and planks, indeed! Remembering just how sinful we are is vital, and so is bearing in mind that “with the measure that you judge, so it will be measured back to you” (Matt 7:2). I am called to live in a certain way, and to obey God’s commands myself. It’s not for me to project that on to anybody else’s life.
"We forget the grace we have been afforded..." Very true. I have always loved the image of "one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread." Except the metaphor becomes more amazing because the King's grace transforms us beggars into sons and daughters - co-heirs with Christ. Astounding.
Thank you for writing this! It is important for Christians to defend biblical truth in a respectful way. I am in a bit of an awkward place as an asexual person who does not identify with the LGBTQIA+ community. which can be somewhat isolating as lots of people do not understand this. Believing that certain behaviours are immoral should not make Christians vitriolic and hateful.
It’s so tough. Christians who are faithfully celibate are really in the worst position because they get criticism from both sides. Know you are beloved of Christ, and in him you have victory over it all.
Some encouragement—you are not alone! I know a few committed Christians who are ace or even aro. It’s tough since these get folded into the LGBTQA+ umbrella nowadays, but I believe they don’t belong there.
This is a faithful and encouraging write. Especially to those also holding to a traditional and biblically orthodox understanding of the Scriptures, while experiencing persistent indwelling sin in the form of unwanted same-sex attractions. You remind us that there is another world we are living for. And that is what biblical Christianity has always been about! ♥️
Thank you for this! It's a struggle to affirm people without affirming their lifestyle; somehow "love is love" has been co-opted to mean "love means agreeing that you can do whatever you want and anybody who says differently doesn't actually love." Love is love, when rooted in the inherent Love of God. Love is not love when based upon the whims of man.
Our pastor on Sunday, and in another book I'm reading, mentioned that when "did our sexuality become our identity?" Everything now revolves around who we want to have sex with, and the gender we believe we are when having said sex. We've lost the whole point of being human.
We are certainly called to love all human beings, and true love like the Bible describes is never wrong. But what people often mean by “love is love” is that sex=love, so any kind of sexual expression is ok. But even those who use that motto do not believe that all forms of sex are loving or permissible. Pedophilia, incest, sadism, and rape remain taboo. Right so, I would argue, but this shows that the motto requires further explanation and that sex does not actually equal love. Rather, sex can be a way that we express our love.
Exactly. Equating love with sex dehumanizes us; our identity becomes wrapped around (and please excuse my crassness here) by which hole we prefer. I'm reading Mama Bear Apologetics' book on sex education for our kids, and we desperately need to reframe the issue! Instead of microscopically examining sexual mores, we need to be creating humans who find their ultimate being in God. We lose so, so much when our lives revolve around sex. It's amazing, but not a necessary activity to be human.
Absolutely. There’s something particularly awful about a person who’s been given immense grace then being unwilling to give the slightest bit of grace to their neighbor.
While understanding your position, what it does not address is how the church treats and relates to this “sin” so radically different than other sexual sins. with adultery rates slightly higher than non-Christians, porn equally as high among Christians, I see this issue as a deflection of the true condition of the church.
This article was meant to present only a few quick thoughts. However, I understand what you are saying. The Apostle Peter said, "It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God," and so it should. While certain sexual sins, such as sexual assault, do have a more negative effect on others around us, anything that deviates from God's created intent should be viewed as injurious - not just those things which seem the most "icky" to people. It is hard to know with those surveys how many people who claim to be "Christian" or "evangelical" actually hold to the historic, orthodox teachings of the Church, but I am certain that in every congregation we have a lot of sexual sin represented, and that all of us in our own way have turned from God's design for our flourishing in a multitude of ways. All have sinned, but to all grace is given. A Christian who truly understands the gospel will never consider themselves superior to others.
I read this with trepidation, as often such musings turn sour; by the end I was encouraged by your care and clarity. Specks and planks, indeed! Remembering just how sinful we are is vital, and so is bearing in mind that “with the measure that you judge, so it will be measured back to you” (Matt 7:2). I am called to live in a certain way, and to obey God’s commands myself. It’s not for me to project that on to anybody else’s life.
I’m glad I didn’t confirm your worst fears!
"We forget the grace we have been afforded..." Very true. I have always loved the image of "one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread." Except the metaphor becomes more amazing because the King's grace transforms us beggars into sons and daughters - co-heirs with Christ. Astounding.
Thank you so much for reading!
Good post.
Thanks!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Well said! I appreciate your thoughts on a sensitive issue for all sides today.
You put sanctification and the struggle of the simul in its right context. Cared and kept by the Spirit with God’s grace sufficient for all.
Thanks for reading and the encouraging feedback!
Well said, friend.
This is so well done, Amy. Splendid 🙏
Thanks for reading and for the encouragement!
Love your thoughtful analysis!
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for writing this! It is important for Christians to defend biblical truth in a respectful way. I am in a bit of an awkward place as an asexual person who does not identify with the LGBTQIA+ community. which can be somewhat isolating as lots of people do not understand this. Believing that certain behaviours are immoral should not make Christians vitriolic and hateful.
It’s so tough. Christians who are faithfully celibate are really in the worst position because they get criticism from both sides. Know you are beloved of Christ, and in him you have victory over it all.
Some encouragement—you are not alone! I know a few committed Christians who are ace or even aro. It’s tough since these get folded into the LGBTQA+ umbrella nowadays, but I believe they don’t belong there.
Well done, friend. Such a balance of truth in love.
Thank you, Rachel! I guess you did find time to read something!
This is a faithful and encouraging write. Especially to those also holding to a traditional and biblically orthodox understanding of the Scriptures, while experiencing persistent indwelling sin in the form of unwanted same-sex attractions. You remind us that there is another world we are living for. And that is what biblical Christianity has always been about! ♥️
Thank you for this! It's a struggle to affirm people without affirming their lifestyle; somehow "love is love" has been co-opted to mean "love means agreeing that you can do whatever you want and anybody who says differently doesn't actually love." Love is love, when rooted in the inherent Love of God. Love is not love when based upon the whims of man.
Our pastor on Sunday, and in another book I'm reading, mentioned that when "did our sexuality become our identity?" Everything now revolves around who we want to have sex with, and the gender we believe we are when having said sex. We've lost the whole point of being human.
We are certainly called to love all human beings, and true love like the Bible describes is never wrong. But what people often mean by “love is love” is that sex=love, so any kind of sexual expression is ok. But even those who use that motto do not believe that all forms of sex are loving or permissible. Pedophilia, incest, sadism, and rape remain taboo. Right so, I would argue, but this shows that the motto requires further explanation and that sex does not actually equal love. Rather, sex can be a way that we express our love.
Exactly. Equating love with sex dehumanizes us; our identity becomes wrapped around (and please excuse my crassness here) by which hole we prefer. I'm reading Mama Bear Apologetics' book on sex education for our kids, and we desperately need to reframe the issue! Instead of microscopically examining sexual mores, we need to be creating humans who find their ultimate being in God. We lose so, so much when our lives revolve around sex. It's amazing, but not a necessary activity to be human.
Thank you for this article—we need more kindness as Christians. Always.
Absolutely. There’s something particularly awful about a person who’s been given immense grace then being unwilling to give the slightest bit of grace to their neighbor.
While understanding your position, what it does not address is how the church treats and relates to this “sin” so radically different than other sexual sins. with adultery rates slightly higher than non-Christians, porn equally as high among Christians, I see this issue as a deflection of the true condition of the church.
This article was meant to present only a few quick thoughts. However, I understand what you are saying. The Apostle Peter said, "It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God," and so it should. While certain sexual sins, such as sexual assault, do have a more negative effect on others around us, anything that deviates from God's created intent should be viewed as injurious - not just those things which seem the most "icky" to people. It is hard to know with those surveys how many people who claim to be "Christian" or "evangelical" actually hold to the historic, orthodox teachings of the Church, but I am certain that in every congregation we have a lot of sexual sin represented, and that all of us in our own way have turned from God's design for our flourishing in a multitude of ways. All have sinned, but to all grace is given. A Christian who truly understands the gospel will never consider themselves superior to others.
Well done.
Like a steak left in the pan too long.
😂