God and the Gays: Once Gay, Always Gay? (Chapter 3)

Chapter Three

ONCE GAY, ALWAYS GAY?

If we accept the Bible as the literal Word of God, and believe that God says what He means and means what He says, then we can't escape the fact that God expressly forbids any premarital or extramarital sex. The Bible doesn't fool around, it gets straight to the point. The Hebrew God isn't shy. He's also not ashamed of the anatomy He's equipped humans with. He pulls no punches and doesn't allow anyone to pervert His plans. Within the Instruction Manual that God gave to Israel (to give to the world), were explicit blueprints for building successful relationships between both God and man. That scriptural foundation assures us of strong and stable bonds, blessed by God (Ps. 127:1). Anything that contradicts God's building codes undermines and condemns itself.

The Bible bluntly states: 1) There's no room in its quarters for "gay rights." Homosexuality isn't within the bounds of acceptable behavior. It's practice isn't permissible within the Christian Camp and will quickly find itself dumped outside of the City limits (Rev. 22:15). Anyone who dares to defy this ban automatically excludes himself from society at large and brings the death penalty upon himself (Gen. 2:17). We're not supposed to tolerate any deviation, whatsoever, from the "strait and narrow" path of our God. 2) Cross-dressing, transvestism, is also out of the question (Deut. 22:5). God doesn't want any "half-breeds" to promote their hybrid ideas that don't mix too well with God's Word (Lev. 19:19). There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it - no quack psychological explanations or accepted justifications: it's not allowed! Everything's to be black and white, right or wrong, male or female; there's no sense in blurring distinctions or causing unnecessary confusion (Ezek. 22:26). 3) Gay prostitutes shouldn't even attempt to walk the streets, because they'll find out the hard way that it's a dead end (Deut. 23:17-18).

God wants to spare us all and safeguard our homes and mind. He doesn't want us to go past the point of no-return! Once you break down one moral barrier it's easier to break down another. Once the floodgates of hell are opened, everyone's swept away and sexual anarchy reigns!

The barometer of a nation's fall from grace and descent into depravity - just before national captivity and deportation - is whenever homosexuality begins to lose its purposeful stigma (Rom. 1:28). That and every other Biblically-attached stigma is to help keep us in line, remind us of what we're doing, and force us to pay the fine. Instead of attacking the doctor's diagnosis, we should concentrate on improving our condition!

We're free to ignore or reject the scripture's counsel against homosexual activities, but we shouldn't pretend that the Bible's silent on the subject. If someone continues to smoke even after they've read the Surgeon General's warnings against it, so be it. But they shouldn't deny that they've voluntarily increased their risks of contracting a variety of diseases.

Reason for Living

Our reason for living shouldn't be sex - but to develop a proper relationship with God! Life is meant to be far more meaningful that momentary physical pleasures. When Jesus said that "man shouldn't live by bread alone," He revealed there's another dimension - the spiritual - that completes us and transcends the mundane. Our daily request for "bread" (in the Lord's prayer sample) isn't only a humble petition to meet all our physical needs, but that we'll also be spiritually sustained (John 6:35).

The supreme purpose in our respective lives should be to know and become more like out Father in Heaven (Mat. 5:48). Especially when you consider God created each kind after its kind, and then He made mankind after the Godkind! We're offered the opportunity to increasingly bear the divine image and more closely resemble Him (in characteristics) daily. We're urged to live compatible with His glorious Kingdom. At the resurrection, we'll be born again and enter the Kingdom of God.

If we want to be on God's wavelength, come up to His level, and live in peace and harmony (with the law and order of His universe) - we need to realize and accept that certain "trees, food, and fruits" aren't kosher, but are off-limits, taboo! We need to avoid those pitfalls and steer clear of such danger-zones if we're to survive this unique journey (Prov. 4:15). We don't want to become another casualty along the way (Prov. 15:10). God hasn't singled out the gays for any special treatment - or persecution! He's not homophobic, racist, or sexist: God is Love.

And because God loves us all, He has high hopes and dreams for us. That's why God's graciously given us some guidelines and helpful instructions for happy, healthy, and wholesome living: the Tree of Life (1 John 5:3). These voluntary restrictions (you are a free moral-agent) are intended to enhance our lives and enable us to truly enjoy our experiences as humans (John 10:10; Deut. 4:40). They gently regulate our food, thoughts, worship, behavior, drink - every facet of our lives - and benefit every fiber of our being. Sin is sin (Rom. 3:23). Transgression - the breaking - of these practical principles is self-destructive (1 John 3:4; Ezek. 18:31). God forbids any hanky-panky, plain and simple! He doesn't target homosexuals or put them first in the line-up of sex-offenders (1 Cor. 6:9).

We need to put everything in context, within perspective and Biblical focus. Too often today, especially on the too many talk-shows (Mat. 12:36), things are too easily distorted, twisted, and confused. These vital issues are usually viewed from the wrong angle, broached with dishonest motivations and questioned by prejudiced people (Gen. 3:1). How they live for the applause of their "broad-minded" crowd (John 12:34)! Generally, you can't reason with such a mob-mentality or argue with their sick minds (Mat. 7:6). God condemns those "enlightened" hosts who turn things upside down (Isa. 5:20; 2 Cor. 11:14). Regardless of their ratings or rantings, they're not too popular with God. We don't have to remain slaves to sin. Christ can set us free (John 8:36). Should the living dwell among the dead (John 5:25)? Why stay down and out, when you're able to improve your situation, rise above your circumstances, and be within God's grace (Col. 2:13)?

Once gay always gay? How about once an adulterer always an adulterer? Better yet, once a sinner always a sinner (1 Cor. 6:11; 1 John 1:9)? WHO says so? Only if you choose to become a "hardened criminal." You can make progress toward perfection! You can refuse to go with the flow, change the course of your thought-patterns, and escape from the belly of the beast (Ephes. 2:1-6). You can stage a revolt and go free! You don't have to die in "Egypt."

Once a sinner, NOW a saint! There isn't any sin too great, or problem deep-rooted, or mind that's scarred, that Christ can't reach or touch or heal (Ps. 139:7-12; Mat. 15:30). Who would dare condemn whom God has forgiven (Rom. 8:1)? God sent Christ into your world to save, not destroy; to forgive, not damn; to help, not hurt (Luke 9:56). Even Jesus' Hebrew name declares His good intentions toward us (Mat. 1:21).

Pulls From the Past

Without a doubt, there'll be strong pulls from the past and pressure to revert to old, familiar ways: testing our resolve, trying our mettle, and cross-examining our conversion (Deut. 8:2-3). They're to be expected (1 Pet. 4:12), but should be put in proper perspective (Heb. 12:11-13). The very fact that you're now a part of the "Resistance Movement," and engage in bitter conflicts (refusing to surrender), proves your patriotism and displays your determination to win (Ga. 5:17). God respects and will reward your efforts (Heb. 6:10; 11:6). They've been brought to His attention repeatedly (Ps. 116:15). You're not left to fend for yourself! You might feel like it, but you're not all alone. We have a Great Helper, an Unseen Assistant, who can handle anything that might befall us during this battle (Heb. 4:14-16).

When we're pardoned, WE'RE EMPOWERED to overcome our past (Jn. 1:12). God enables us to withstand the onslaught of sin, and remain within the good graces of our Governor (Isa. 9:11; Jude 24). Although you may still feel "gay," your reorientation hasn't taken full effect yet (Ephes. 4:23; Jas. 1:4), DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! Be happy that you've made progress, and that you're even trying to better yourself. That's a miracle in itself. Trust in God (Philip. 4:13). He'll see you through thick and thin, and He'll stay by your side "come hell or high water" (Isa. 43:1-2). It's true that "We conquer by continuing." DON'T GIVE UP! Keep up the struggle: everything you believe in is worth fighting for (Matt. 11:12). You can rest assured that you're very precious to God. He knows you by name.

"Once gay always gay" is a damn LIE! It denies Christ's ability to save and slanders His sacrifice as insufficient! We don't have to believe that propaganda though it's repeated a thousand times. It's nothing more than psychological warfare (2 Cor. 2:11). It's jealously directed against those who've sobered up and have made an about-face in life (1 Pet. 5:8).

Conversion - change - is possible, but it demands patience. Purification is a process that takes time ( 1 John 3:3; Isa. 48:10). It all begins in the mind. We don't have to remain subject to sin's every whim and desire (Rom. 6:14). Slowly but surely, the homosexual obsession will lose its hold over our lives. God can rid us of its side-effects, break our hobbling habits, and release us from the ball and chain of our past (Isa. 45:2).

Christ will gently assist and energize us as we carry on (Isa. 40:29). We're to unburden ourselves before the Father in heartfelt prayer (Mat. 11:28-30; 1 Pet. 5:7), like Jesus did when He was here (Heb. 5:7). Everyone's offered this opportunity of a lifetime: to start over, have a new lease on life, and to wipe the slate clean. It's our option. It's your choice.

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