My brain cannot fathom the attraction of a man to another man. It just doesn't. I am put off by the idea of it and now that the media/news/movies, etc allows photographs of men kissing, images of a more sexual nature, I am always repulsed. Having said that, I try to look upon openly homosexual people with the knowledge that, but by the grace of God, there goes I. I prefer to see them as fellow human beings who are lost in their sin, which I think is the correct Christian response.
I think that homosexuality is sin and those who embrace it, need the Saviour, just like any other sin. I do believe there is something deeper here though than *just sin* because the Scriptures do say, 1 Cor 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." It seems to affect our very inward being, as opposed to something like stealing...but this is true of all sexual immorality, not just homosexual behaviour, although I do believe it is an even further degradation.
Kat, you are very adamant that you cannot imagine yourself attracted to another female, no matter how much exposure you might get to liberal education etc. This is good but we must remember, that we are all not bent or weak towards the same sins. You may never think upon such a union and yet you might struggle with anger, stealing, slander, etc. I guess what I am trying to get at is....it might not always be obvious the reason why. Physically, we are usually attracted to the opposite sex. The size, strength, beauty...all just physical characteristics at first. Once we get to know the person, we find them attractive in other ways. It might not be physical at all, it could be what the gender represents. Safety, care, love, tenderness...things the one who is attracted might be missing in their life and trying to find a replacement for. We do that all the time, and yet know only God Himself can bring the peace and fulfillment we long for. How many have tried to find it in money, education, fame, etc.
I am one of those prissy girls who gets her nails done. I went to a new salon and spa because I had a gift certificate given to me for $200. I took someone with me, another Christian woman. She was booked for pedicure and massage and I was booked for gel nails and my brows. Well....there is a purpose to this story...lol. The person who approached us had long extensions of platinum blonde hair, 4 inch heels, leggings, a tunic styled top with multiple necklaces and bracelets, tons of make up and a very odd voice. My friend looked at me all disturbed and whispered, I am not going with that one. I said, okay.
I sat down across from this person at the manicure station and we started to chat. This *girl* was very well done up, but I knew it was a guy, not just dressed in drag but one in *transition*. The outfit that was worn, one could tell there were feminine endowments, shall we say. It was just a little while in that I noticed cutting scars across the wrists, very light but visible as the cuff bracelets moved to expose them.
Would the right thing to do be call this hurting person names, deride them, demand a different nail technician to care for me, be all offended and leave? I started to pray for this person, even as we sat there getting my nails done. This was a hurting and broken person, one who has clearly struggled for many years and has been brought to this place.
*She* is friends now with me on Facebook. She knows my Christian stance and also realizes that although I do not condone in any way the lifestyle that is being lived out, that I am still sharing the love of Christ. I want this person to know there is forgiveness at the cross, acceptance and unconditional love. That this person (what people would call the unlovable) can be loved by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since so many on this board are against Calvinism and have preconceived and wrong views of us, I wish to say...I am Reformed, I do not know if this person is elect or not, but I do know it is my honour and duty as a Christian to extend the general gospel call to every human being that I am able to. That is living out the faith. I tell this story not to bring any glory to myself...but rather, I hope it illustrates what we can and should do as Believers. No matter how we *feel* about the sin, we are still to share the love of Christ with people, no matter what.
I covet your prayers for this person. Would it not be so God glorifying if this person was brought out of that lifestyle and embraced Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
