What would you do?
Recently while working in his office, a pastor in a small Christian church was startled by a knock on the church door. To his surprise a young man was at the door looking through the window to see if anyone was in the church. It was odd for a knock to be heard on the door on a Monday afternoon by someone the pastor was not expecting. With a mix of curiosity and joy, the pastor greeted the young man and invited him back to his office. The young man asked if there was someone here who he could talk to about more information about the church. It seemed from the look of the man that he was in his early 30′s. As they walk back to the pastor’s office, the young man tells the pastor that he had driven by the church many times on his way to work and for some reason he knew to stop in today.
Once they sat down in the office, the pastor asked him how he might help. Did he have any specific questions? Was he searching for something in particular? Was he a new Christian or someone looking for a new church? The young man graciously began, “I have been a Christian for a couple years now, and I really need to find a place where I can know God better, where the Bible is the foundation for faith, and I can be welcome. I have gone to another church for a few months now and I know that it is not right for me. And I am a gay man.”
Suddenly the pastor’s ears perked up – this was not the usual “tell me about your church” conversation that he had had so many times before. He knew that this man was searching, and had a particular question that was going to come soon after – “What does your church believe about homosexuality?” Though asked this question many times before – the questioner had a unique situation that caused the pastor to pause and think, and pray. The pastor began to talk about the church, all the while knowing that soon enough the question would be asked. Finally it was.
What would you do?
I would read him this and let him know judgement was God’s and reward was God’s but the choice was man’s
Isaiah56
Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
I think the first question to ask would be whether or not he was the kind of Christian who submitted to the authority of Scripture or not. Sadly, in our time, very few Christians will actually submit to what the Scripture says if it disagrees with what they think is right or good for themselves. If he said yes, then show him what the Scriptures say about homosexuality.
While talking with him, it is important to communicate that same sex relationships are not the unforgivable sin. It is important to tell him that God desires a deeper relationship with him. I’m not sure exactly how this would turn out, but eventually you might want to ask him, “If God required that you never have sex again would a relationship with him forever be worth it?”
Good point, Sean. The future reward of the Kingdom has to be more important than instant gratification of sin.
Somewhere, somehow there would have to be humility in this young man to listen to scriptureal instruction in overcoming temptation. He walked into the church searching, so with limited info, there seems to be a heart there that could be cultivated. That is where I would start. The decision is still his…
What if after he asked your belief he then told you how he knew the last church was not right for him.
that being a christian for the last2 years he had been reading the scriptures and was willing to do what God required of him. then decided to find a church to continue in his choice where it came to his attention that he could justify his former life the same way the church justified the things they do that didnt please God.
maybe this wasnt for him but for you.
so wwyd
would you join his walk or continue to justify yours
Robert, If we continue that line of thinking then there are no ‘churches’ worth being a part of :
Romans 3:23:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
So how do we pick a building ang group of believers to worship with? For me it’s not easy. For the last 20+ years I’ve served in the military and moved 14 times. The opportunity to find a Monotheistic, bible-teaching group of believers is slim. We’ve done the home bible study groups but they were too disconnected from the rest of the Body of Christ (IMHO). So we interview pastors. Just as this example spells out, we go in and express our beliefs and listen to the replies. Sometimes, we get treated as an unwanted sinner, a heretic. But in every place we’ve lived, we have found a pastor who listened. We’ve found a place to serve. It has never been about us finding a group that we were just like. It was about finding a group of believers who were honest about life and didn’t judge. It was about being part of the body wherever we lived and serving those belivers and the community we were in.
Choosing a place where I can worship/attend should not be about me.
Matthew 5:16:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven
if a church doesnt hold to the whole testimony of Jesus and the Word of God than it is not a church of Jesus Christ.
if it uses an interpretation of 1 verse to contradict several other verses which are perfectly clear than it is not a church of Jesus Christ.
the point i was trying to make was
Luke6:39
And he spoke a parable to them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
yes i beleive that it is blindness that has fell upon all the churches of today.
studying the Word of God with a friend or family member is the true Church of Jesus Christ
Thanks, Robert. Good point. Studying to be approved before God is important as well. There are many facets to a strong walk.
No I should thank you
Frank every time you do the things that please God you are worshiping Him by showing His way is Just and True.
The church was setup to provide the Word of God to all those that didnt have access to It so we could know our God. but now in this day most have access to It.The rest we must share It with.
Worship God everyday with as many as you can but most of all remember that God is The Truth and He sent His Son to Prove It