Ever wonder about what Jesus on homosexuality would be in this world with so many views? It seems like the world these days has a lot of thoughts on just about anything. Political correctness has never felt so present, and with so many beliefs, viewpoints, opinions, and feelings, it can be hard to discuss some of the more touchy topics so openly.
Take homosexuality for example. Oregon bakery owners Aaron and Melissa Klein were sued and later forced to pay a $135,000 fine in 2013 after refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex lesbian couple, based on their religious beliefs in God. The legal battle robbed them blind and effectively forced them to close up shop.
In a similar case, a Colorado baker continues to make headlines after he refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple based on religious beliefs. It’s sparked widespread debate around the issue and has sent the case into a years-long legal battle which analysts believe will set the tone for future cases.
The world has a lot to say about homosexuality. Some people believe that the baker should have sucked it up and just made the cake, rather than losing so much time and money fighting a politically correct battle. Others stand behind the baker, saying his faith takes precedence over the wants of said customers.
And this is just one example of the heated controversy surrounding this culturally sensitive topic. We can all have an opinion, but ultimately the bible is very clear on how Jesus views homosexuality.
We’ve compiled a list of 7 Must-Read Articles for Christians that dive deeper into what the Bible teaches us about homosexuality.
1. 5 Things Jesus Would Say to the Gay Community
Many Christians, when talking about homosexuality, have a tendency to explain it almost like some unforgivable sin, when in reality, it’s just sin. We’re all sinners, and there’s no scale on which we rank for the weightiness of our sins. But even with that in mind, many believers often make it seem like God just goes around condemning homosexuals in disgust.
In fact, I believe it’s just the opposite.
I believe Jesus sees all of His people—homosexuals, heterosexuals, those who are purple, black, orange or blue—in the same light. His heart breaks for those who are both near and far from Him, and His grace speaks volumes.
We often preach homosexuality out of the Old Testament, where we find written laws that some translate to teach against homosexuality. In the Old Testament, we also see a seemingly vengeful God. His people had betrayed Him time and time again, and there was crime and punishment in ways that changed through the coming of Jesus Christ.
Through the gift of His only son, we see in the New Testament just how loving, relatable, generous, and faithful the Lord is. May we cling to that character of God when we speak of Jesus on homosexuality and what he would say to the gay community.
2. What Jesus Would Say to a Homosexual
I think if we are to live like Jesus, we must also love like Jesus. Jennifer Clarke’s article, “What Jesus Would Say to a Homosexual” is teaching us just that.
In 1 John 2:6 it says “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” And Y’all, that’s a heck of a lot easier said than done.
Sure, it’s easy to live like Jesus and love His people, when they have the same views and beliefs as you. It’s easy to love fellow Christians who voted for the same candidate as you. But how about those who don’t know Jesus, aren’t held to the same standard and don’t live life like you do?
Jesus came, not to call the righteous, but the sinners. Throughout His ministry, the son of God ate dinner with tax collectors (lying cheats) and sinners of all kinds. He defended the woman at the well—a prostitute, and He spoke truth over each of them when no one else did.
He loved them and showed grace and mercy in all circumstances. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. So it’s not about what Jesus would say to a homosexual, it’s what do WE, as Christians say to a homosexual.
3. “It’s Not Gay to Straight. It’s Lost to Saved”: Lesbian Reveals How God Radically Transformed Her View of Homosexuality
Here’s the thing, there’s a hefty difference between loving God’s people for who they are (and who God created them to be) versus loving them like Jesus.
When Emily Thomes first came out as a lesbian at 15 years old, she expected people to love her for who she believed God created her to be. It led to a twisted and inaccurate picture of God’s Truth, His perfect love, and a justification of Emily’s sinful actions.
Through a life-changing Bible study, Emily’s life was radically changed, and she turned to God’s Truth, rather than her own justification of what she believed of herself.
“People say to me all the time, ‘I was born this way.’ I say ‘okay yeah me too,’” says Emily of her romantic affections toward women. “You’re not born with right affections. That’s why Jesus had to come. You feeling a desire to sin just proves you need grace like me. It’s not gay to straight, it’s lost to saved. God calls us not to heterosexuality but to holiness. Even though the world would paint a totally different story about what sexuality is and isn’t, God’s word is clear, and He can save, and He does…and He will.”
4. I Begged God to Make Me Straight & He Never Answered. Here’s Why.
Matt Moore’s experience with homosexuality as a Christian is different in its own right from Emily’s in that, rather than justifying who he felt God had made him to be, Matt prayed for God to make him someone different.
Growing up around Bible-believing Christians who acknowledged homosexuality as an abominable thing, Matt believed HE was abominable.
Desperate, he prayed for God to make him straight and relieve him of the seemingly abominable temptations that had taken over his life. But God never answered.
To most, this would sound like a God that’s not worth following. But through his experience, Matt came to learn that in pleading with God to make him straight, he was never all that interested in God himself.
“I wasn’t praying for God to do this because I loved Him or wanted to live my life for Him,” he writes. “I was actually pretty unconcerned about Him, to be honest. I wanted God to take away my same-sex desires for my own benefit—so that I could fit in, be normal, be one of the guys, and even so that I could just have sex with girls like all of my friends were. So I obviously wasn’t worried about being sexually moral. I just wanted to be sexually normal.”
What he learned had nothing to do with homosexuality at all, but instead, it was about worship.
Homosexual desire—and all other sinful desire—exists in the hearts of people because worship of God doesn’t.
5. If I Have Gay Children: 4 Promises From a Christian Pastor/Parent
Based on the title of John Pavlovitz’s piece, most people would be quick to assume that a pastor would have strong words about parenting gay children. After all, a teacher of the Word must know a thing or two about homosexuals and what Jesus would think of the matter.
And in all honesty, all of those preconceived notions are probably right. However, probably not in the way you’d think at first glance. You see, John, like many others (whether they’re a pastor or not) has toyed with the thought (for some maybe even a fear) that he may, in fact, be trusted by God to raise children who have homosexual desires.
It’s one you’ll have to read for yourself if you want to know what this pastor would do if he had gay kids, but let’s just say we could all learn a thing or two from John about Jesus on homosexuality.
6. 4 Promises for Same-Sex-Attracted Christians (From a Husband & Pastor Attracted to Men)
Christopher Asmus’ story isn’t one we hear too often for a number of reasons, but the main one being, as much as the church preaches truth and honesty, we produce shame and condemnation.
As a pastor, a husband and a father, Christopher shares openly about the same-sex attraction he’s lived with for as long as he can remember.
“Many in our culture would like to label people like me ‘bisexual,’ but I believe Jesus has spoken a better word.”
Pulling from Biblical truths and knowledge of the character of God, Christopher divulges into four freedoms that the Lord promises to those who are fighting same-sex attraction.
“In short, being human in a fallen world means being attracted to things that are contrary to human flourishing in God, things that oppose God’s good plan for us and lead to death. I feel these attractions to sin, and therefore I need a Savior.”
7. Is It Ok to Attend a Gay Friend’s Wedding?
It’s a common question this day and age for SO many believers who find themselves in a conflicting situation. Similar to the bakery owner who is being sued for deferring a wedding cake for a gay couple’s wedding, many Christians find themselves in a battle of love versus belief.
Todd Wagner, a Pastor at Watermark Community Church, breaks it down into a simpler way of thinking that IS answered by scripture.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
When a gay friend invites you to celebrate the day they’re getting married, it’s not so much that they’re inviting your approval of their decision, but an invitation to share in their joy.
However, the Word makes it clear that LOVE does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Because when it all comes down to it, going to your gay friend’s wedding isn’t about approval or belief. It’s about whether or not you choose to rejoice with them at the celebration of a relationship which Jesus says is not good.
Homosexuality is not new. It’s not a trend or a growing problem. It’s a sin just like every other. As Christians and followers of Christ, we must learn how to effectively love homosexuals with grace and understanding, while standing firm in the Truth of what God says is righteous. We are held to a higher standard as believers than those who do not know Christ. May we not take that lightly in our pursuit of changing hearts and eternities for Christ.