Can I be a homosexual and be a Christian at the same time? Can I have a relationship with someone of the same sex and still serve the Lord? What is wrong with me being a gay and serving my church in ministry?
These are some of the questions and concerns that I have been exposed to over the years and as recently as a week or two ago. The world as we know it and societal standards of morality are constantly changing, and based on my observations, it is changing for the worse. The more intellectual, developed and educated we become, it seems like the further we step away from what is decent, what is of good report, what is pure and what is righteous.
These questions will continue to be discussed and cause unnecessary confusion and pain until we all identify who or what our source is. As I have said before, without God as the supreme foundation for moral values, we are lost in a world of socio-cultural relativism. Unless God is the principal source, then the defining and establishment of moral values will be determined by culture, the law and societal opinion, all of which can change at any time.
After you determine your principal source, it is important to seek advice, mentoring and leadership from individuals who share that common source with you; especially when dealing with issues of the heart and soul (character and morals). To do otherwise is unwise.
This is supported in 1 John 1:5-7 which says: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship (relationship) with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
Christianity is all about loving God through a relationship with Him. The first question we need to ask is, how does God define loving Him? The next question is, what things do God categorise as light and as darkness?
John 14:22 says: Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching . . . .”
The above verse makes it very clear that God receives love from us through us being obedient to His teachings. There are numerous teachings God has given us as it relates to this topic but due to space constraints, we will only mention two.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 states: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:16-19: . . . walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Acts of the flesh can be categorised as elements of darkness, whereas the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), are elements of light.
The Scriptures tell us that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and the name of Jesus Christ delivers us from the bondage and control of sin. In order to receive the fullness of that deliverance and freedom, one must confess one is in sin, sincerely desire to be delivered and live a life of purity and devotion to God after deliverance.
You cannot practise homosexuality and proclaim to have fellowship with Christ. You either walk in the light or in the darkness.
• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth youth ambassador.
