Monday 14 May 2012

Does Protesting Gay Marriage Advance the Gospel?


Does Protesting Gay Marriage Advance the Gospel?


May 10th, 2012 06:05 PM ET

Matt Moore
"...Protesting gay marriage or gay parades does not advance the gospel in any way, shape or fashion. People picketing with their signs of “Homosexuality is an abomination!” or “Gays don’t go to heaven!” only communicates to the gay person that you believe their lifestyle is a sin. And this is true, the gay lifestyle is a sin..." 

"...We, as believers in Christ and believers in the truth, need to not merely announce to the gay community that they are in sin, but also provide answers to the questions they ask. Much of the Christian community that has taken a stance against homosexuality has done so more within a political mindset than an eternal, gospel mindset..."


"...They want to stop gay marriage, forbid gays from adopting, etc.; and I am not saying that those are bad things fight for. But let’s be realistic, the government in America is not a Christian government. We may be founded upon gospel truths and morals, but the 21st century US government is not centered in on Jesus nor does it strive to adhere to Biblical principles..."


"...By all means, the Church needs to take a stand against the darkness of this world… but I urge you all, let us do so with grace and truth..."


Before you read this, if you aren’t familiar with me, you need to know that I am a Christian who struggles with homosexuality. The Lord pulled me out of the gay lifestyle a couple of years ago and has graciously granted me repentance every day since. I write on this subject as someone who understands the mindsets of both the gospel-rejecting, unrepentant gay person and also the regenerate, born again Christian. My goal in addressing this issue is to hopefully get a few people’s eyes fixed back on Jesus and the mission He has entrusted us with.

Homosexuality is a very complex and an often confusing subject, and most Christians really don’t have the slightest inclination on how to approach their admittedly gay friends. Most of us have some sort of idea how to help people like addicts or atheists, but when it comes to approaching a homosexual, we don’t even know where to start. Then all of a sudden something happens, like Obama’s proclaimed support of gay marriage yesterday, and everyone goes into a frenzy. My social media has been covered in comments on both sides of this issue. But is all the chatter really getting anyone anywhere?

Protesting gay marriage or gay parades does not advance the gospel in any way, shape or fashion. People picketing with their signs of “Homosexuality is an abomination!” or “Gays don’t go to heaven!” only communicates to the gay person that you believe their lifestyle is a sin. And this is true, the gay lifestyle is a sin and those who partake in it without ever turning away from it and to Jesus will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But what these people need more than our opposition is our answers. Because of the constant flow from the secular world through media and other means, the minds of most of the population are flooded with worldly ideology about homosexuality. The media is shaping the minds of people from a very young age to believe that homosexuality is identical in goodness to heterosexual behavior. We, as believers in Christ and believers in the truth, need to not merely announce to the gay community that they are in sin, but also provide answers to the questions they ask. 

Much of the Christian community that has taken a stance against homosexuality has done so more within a political mindset than an eternal, gospel mindset. They want to stop gay marriage, forbid gays from adopting, etc.; and I am not saying that those are bad things fight for. But let’s be realistic, the government in America is not a Christian government. We may be founded upon gospel truths and morals, but the 21st century US government is not centered in on Jesus nor does it strive to adhere to Biblical principals. A lot of people may disagree with me, but I believe that if a same sex couple wants to have the right to file their taxes together or be able to be in the hospital room with their partner before they die, we should give it to them. 

Does depriving them of these privileges show them the love of Jesus in any way? I do not think that it does. But the gay community also must realize that marriage is a Biblical concept and Christian Covenant, not a secular means of attaining rights. Therefore if the concept of marriage is solely based on the Scriptures, then the act of marriage should be in line with the Scriptures; one man and one woman. The government can give gay people the rights they seek without ordaining it as marriage, and I believe that is the avenue that they need to take and hopefully in doing so the Church can regain their focus and start really trying to help these people rather than just opposing them. By all means, the Church needs to take a stand against the darkness of this world… but I urge you all, let us do so with grace and truth.

Matt Moore
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