Christian power gay

By Dan Delzell, Christian Post Contributor

Daren Mehl's recent CP opinion piece perceptively unveiled the perils linked to "Side B" Christianity, which he characterized in this manner: "Individuals drawn to the same gender who, while remaining celibate in obedience to the Bible, may still identify as 'gay Christians' and regard their attraction as an integral aspect of their identity that warrants recognition, akin to one's race or nationality."

Employing a similar logic across the board, we could readily formulate terms such as: gossip-prone Christian, Christian inclined to adultery, Christian with a jealous mindset, and so on. Such a careless methodology, however, would contradict New Testament theology, potentially sowing spiritual bewilderment.

Prior to embracing Christ (refer to John 1:12), non-believers engage in diverse sins. However, subsequent to being justified, born anew, pardoned, redeemed, and granted salvation solely through faith in Christ (consult Ephesians 2:8-9), believers are endowed with a fresh identity and the extraordinary strength required to dedicate their lives to Jesus instead of succumbing to sin (refer to 2 Peter 1:3).

It's exceptionally unwise to proudly display a Christian identifier that encompasses your most potent sinful inclination. Envision being invited to participate in gatherings such as: "Quick-Tempered Christians," "Gay Christians," "Anxious Christians," or "Judgmental Christians." Such contradictory labels would engender subgroups among believers, instigating division within the Christian community.

God fashioned and configured every "male and female" (Genesis 1:27) to feel attraction towards the opposite sex. Thus, what underlies this unforeseen same-sex attraction?

Regrettably, our flawed nature frequently disrupts our thoughts, attractions, desires, and emotions. Fundamentally, your sinful nature constitutes the base of your soul, from which a multitude of harmful thoughts and yearnings originate. The Apostle Paul penned, "I am aware that no good resides in me, specifically, in my sinful nature" (Romans 7:18).

Your sinful nature doesn't constitute your heart or intellect. Nevertheless, there exist instances where sinful yearnings from the base ascend into the kitchen, living area, and bedrooms of our essence, exerting influence over our thoughts and emotions. Humans undergo a vast spectrum of wicked inclinations and malevolent desires (refer to Romans 7:14-25). However, rest assured that God never instigates sinful predispositions or enticement (refer to James 1:13-15).

Unfortunately, same-sex attraction can often arise from childhood trauma. A study conducted at Vanderbilt University some years back "revealed that eighty-three percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) persons recounted undergoing unfavorable childhood occurrences, encompassing both sexual and emotional maltreatment." The ultimate thing the majority of individuals who have experienced sexual abuse would aspire to beget within themselves is same-sex attraction.

Furthermore, there exist no "gay genes" within an individual's DNA, merely uninvited yearnings that inexplicably seethe in the basement before progressing upward. Rather than attempting to "pray the gay away", followers of Jesus are advised to "be vigilant and maintain self-control" (1 Thessalonians 5:6), and refrain from descending into the basement (refer to Titus 2:11-12).

Gratefully, you retain the capacity to acknowledge your transgressions before God and dismiss any sinful thoughts infiltrating your heart and mind. "We seize every thought, compelling it to adhere to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).

The distinguishing labels which the Apostle Paul was inspired to employ in his epistles are incredibly insightful. Perhaps the most exemplary illustration arises in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: "Do you not realize that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be misled: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will acquire God's kingdom. And such were some of you. But you underwent washing, sanctification, justification in the name of the Lord Jesus and through the Spirit of our God."

The categorizations within that compilation recognize individuals who are planning to persist in theft, slander, or engagement in sexual immorality, among other actions. Observe how these labels are not affixed to believers; instead, Scripture reserves them for unconverted individuals yet to "repent and embrace the good news" (Mark 1:15). Furthermore, even when Christ's adherents grapple with various facets of Christian existence, God refrains from accentuating your foremost vulnerability and branding you with it akin to a scarlet letter.

The passage (1 Cor. 6:9-11) additionally demonstrates that homosexual conduct carries the same degree of sinfulness as fornication and adultery, irrespective of the prevailing cultural trend across generations (consult Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Jude 1:7).

The "gay Christian" designation obscures the spiritual threat posed by attraction to people of the same gender. Even when a Christian with a history of same-sex attraction resolves to remain abstinent, the designation nevertheless links a "basement craving" ("gay") with a "sacred descriptor" ("Christian"). Such an unholy alignment remains absent from the New Testament. Accordingly, why would you align yourself with a label broadcasting your greatest temptation? This is, at the very least, unwise.

Saturating your mind with Scripture and "praying without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) will sustain you in being "strong in the Lord and in His powerful strength" (Ephesians 6:10). Latent desires and sinful tendencies in the basement cannot dominate you, or even divert your attention, when you "walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16) from moment to moment. Disciples of Jesus have been liberated in Christ to think correctly! (consult Romans 6:18; Philippians 4:8)

Indeed, my friend, the beneficence of God can intrinsically revitalize your intellect, ultimately fostering virtuous behavior. As substantiation of this stunning spiritual occurrence, examine these accounts from "a fellowship of companions who formerly recognized as LGBTQ+."