When Faith Meets Identity: Can Love Truly Unite?

I want to ask you two questions and I do not want you to answer them straight away. The first question is related to our attitude towards same sex relations: Is our attitude towards same sex relationships preventing Christians from having an harmonious relationship with the LGBTQ community? And the second question I want you to answer, seeks to uncover whether: Christians should ‘get with the times’ and adopt an seeker friendly approach to ‘church’ where all people ‘ including the LGBTQ+ community can dwell?

Whether you believe it or not, the disharmonious relationship between Christianity and the LGBTQ+ community has created, great divisions within the Christian community. Some traditional believers are adamant in their convictions against homosexuality in the church, other religious believers like the Roman Catholic Church and a few evangelical churches hold very similar accepting views about homosexuality.

It is founded upon these contrary views, I believe that we should look at the reason why there is a current culture clash between Christians and those pushing the LGBTQ agenda.

LGBTQ, gender and sexuality

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, Matthew 19:4 ESV

Let us begin this blog looking at the LGBTQ community and their views on sexuality and gender. The LBTQ community and their supporters argue that gender identity is how you define yourself in relation to your own gender. They believe gender identity should no longer be defined by the biological sex a person is assigned with at birth. Gender identity is a social construct. For example: The LGBTQ community believe that the sex that they were assigned with at birth should not define them. A person can socially define themselves. For me, what is ironic about this understanding of having a socially constructed gender is, that if I have the right to ‘be who I what to be’ under the umbrella of ‘gender is a social construct’ then why is it that a person’s socially constructed identity cannot invalidate the two main gender identities the bible stands by: male and female. No matter how hard you try, your gender identity cannot escape the social norms concerning gender, such as specific behaviours and types of appearances associated with manhood and womanhood.

When addressing pronouns. A person who is a part of the LGBTQ can or will use a number of pronouns to describe themselves, yet, these pronouns will not always align with a specific gender, neither will it regularly correlate with ones gender. For example: a person can use she/her pronouns and still identify as non-binary. The problem with playing around with pronouns is that pronouns can introduce ambiguity and confusion if not used correctly. A non- gender conforming person may become distressed, anxious or depressed, if they are addressed as a pronoun they believe incorrectly describes them, and a bible believing Christian will be resolute in their convictions about assigning a male pronoun to a biological male and a female pronoun to a biological woman

So what about sexual orientation, you may ask?

Unlike gender identity, sexual orientation (aka sexuality) refers to a person’s (physical, romantic or emotional) attraction to another. Who do you love? societies views concerning sexuality are also evolving. The ‘sexuality’ goal post, is being pushed towards an ‘all gender kind of love’. The phrase ‘love is love’ describes the thought that gender does not matter when it comes to who a person loves. Sexuality can be fluid just like gender, and this fluidity is contextualised. For instance, some people are physical attraction to another person, whilst others may experience both physical and emotional attraction towards a person of the same sex. The problem with this worldview on sexuality is that it supports a lifestyle that leads a person to hell and condemnation.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV

The bible and the gender and sexual orientation issue

First and foremost, I believe that it is easy to look at the gender identity and sexual orientation issue from the wrong standpoint. Many people empathise with men, but they do not consider how God feels about the actions of his people. Think about this thought for a moment: We all know how the LGBTQ community feels about gender and sexuality. But what does God think about this social issue? The bible tells us that our human lives were created by God, for God (Genesis 1:27,Psalm 139:13). Our identity comes from God, not man. Our identity is not ‘socially constructed’, it is given and found in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2: 9, 1 Corinthians 12: 27). Therefore, what God thinks concerning human life, relationships and social interaction, matters.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

We have become so self-centred as a people, that we do not factor God in our relationships, daily decisions and interactions, and as a result we ‘socially reconstruct’ ourselves. Our plans for ourselves, separates us from God’s will, his ways and his heart. It is no wonder why God says in Isaiah 55:8-9,

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Here lies our main issue with the LGBTQ’s idea of gender identification and sexual orientation. Their lifestyle ( way of living) is an example of the thoughts they have for themselves, that are substandard to the thoughts of God for humanity. Homosexuality opposes God’s original plan for gender, gender roles, sexual orientation and social interactions (Genesis 1: 27, 3:16). It is a lifestyle that seeks to contest the ultimate authoritative will and mind of God.

Homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God.

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Leviticus 20:13 ESV

The biblical text found in Leviticus uses the word abomination, to describe God’s disapproval of same sex sexual relations. The question I want to ask you is: Why would God express any feeling of disgust, hatred, or loathing towards same sex intimate relations, if society says that there is nothing wrong with practicing it? LGBTQ advocates will argue that these verses are outdated, misinterpreted or contradictory. They claim that Paul's comments were aimed at male prostitutes, not at homosexuals in general. Despite their thoughts, scripture clearly states that sexual ethics in the Bible, are rooted in creation. God made man and his counterpart woman for procreation, authority and dominion. In Genesis chapter 3 we read how sin perverted God’s plan for man. The bible describes sin as any action, thought, motive or attitude that goes against God’s law and His standards described in his holy word ( Romans 3:23). Here we see how Homosexuality does not fit in the scheme of Creation as defined in Genesis chapter 1 and 2. Homosexuality according to Leviticus 20:13 and Romans 1:27 is an abominable sin that merits severe condemnation and judgement.

God is love, not love is love!

Whether you agree with me or not, A self-defined expression of love, is fickle and self-damaging. Think about this thought for a minute: Love is not a social construct of beliefs and expressions, love is a person ( 1 John 4:8) God is love. The LGBTQ’s expression of hyper sexualism and unrestraint love, is not a true representation of the love God wants all humanity to encounter. Love is not just an attribute of God, love is the very essence and nature of God. God is love, and if an LGBTQ person could encounter God, they would discover the true expression of who love is.

Homosexual hate?

And the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. Romans 1:27 ESV

There is a misinformation spreading through the streets and this lie is suggesting to the world that Christians hate homosexuals. I would like to correct this lie. Born again Christians are not Bigots or prejudice, neither do they hate or fear the LGBTQ community. Rather, Born again Christians view the practice and desires represented by that community as sinful based upon scripture. Sin separates the sinner from God. To be separated from God’s presence is an awful reality, that even God himself does not desire for mankind ( 2 Peter 3: 9) . For this reason, Christians want the LGBTQ community and every sinner listed in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 to repent and receive salvation. Jesus died for our sins (John 3:16).

You may be questioning why some believers are judgemental in their approach towards the LGBTQ community? What happened to lovingly disagreeing with them.

The reality of this question is simple ‘the truth hurts’. No matter how nicely you contest another’s actions and words, offense will arise, their ego will be harmed and distress will come. Making righteous judgement is not a sin. But how we express this judgement can be. The bible reminds us to be careful of our conduct before the world, especially when we are reviled for preaching the gospel and correcting others in love. Your conduct before the sexually liberal, should always be led and submitted under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Christians should strive to prayerfully respond to those who revile them in accordance to 1 Peter 3: 15-16, But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:15-16

I want you to now return back to the two questions I asked you at the beginning of this blog. Now, what was your answer?