What do you say when a professing Christian chooses to pursue same-sex romantic relationships?
Key Points:
- It is difficult when professing Christians choose to embrace same-sex attraction. We still love them, but oftentimes, they respond that if we really love them, we will validate their choice to pursue same-sex romantic relationships.
- God constantly restrains sin and protects the world from all forms of evil, but he may also cease restraining sin when a person has reached the point of judgement by willfully choosing to move forward regardless of what God has said.
- When this happens, God ceases to restrain sin. Passions take control. They become our “god.” These passions feel very liberating.
- Passions are “dishonorable.” They turn us away from the good things God has for us and they turn friends into enemies. Even if we love and care for friends who embrace a same-sex lifestyle, if they feel judged or unloved, we are sadly unable to reach them because they have predetermined that only those who validate their choices really love them.
- We may have to pay a price for showing truth in love to those we care for who claim to follow Jesus yet choose to embrace in same-sex romances.
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What challenges have you faced in your ministry or personal life regarding this issue? Explain.
- Have seen “feelings” or “passions” to be a key issue when engaging this question? Explain.
- How can you show honest love and compassion for Christians who have same-sex attractions?
- Does your church have a formal stance on gender and sexuality issues? Explain.
- Do you know Christians who are walking in obedience to God while acknowledging they have same-sex attractions? Explain.
- Have you seen friends become enemies over this issue? Explain.
- Why do you think this is one of the lynchpin issues of Western culture today?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
