I am fully convinced when God says nothing will separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ, that radical message of inclusion encompasses sexuality and gender identity. For far too long, the church has held onto a few Bible verses which allude to homosexuality and has used them to exclude the LGBTQ+ community. For much of my life, I held onto the traditional view of human sexuality and would hold up those verses as evidence of God’s will. However, over the years, God changed my heart on this matter, and I began to see the inherent problem with this stance.
In part, it was how I picked and chose to read Scripture and not give all texts the same and fair treatment. For example, most Old Testament laws and traditions no longer apply because through Christ, we are no longer under the law. Therefore, because of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ, I can no longer hold up the verses which exclude the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, portions of the New Testament have been misinterpreted, not placed in their historical context, and abused to marginalize others. For example, the fact that Jesus never directly repudiated slavery certainly does not give us the license to continue the practice. While we still have a long way to go towards race equality, verses referencing slavery used to perpetuate abuse and the oppression of people of color are universally denounced. As followers of Jesus, God calls us to name the marginalization and abuse of others for the sin and brokenness it is!
Yet, when it comes to human sexuality, a few texts are still held up as authoritative for all times and places. When given the same treatment as other portions of Scripture and most importantly, when looked at through the lens of God’s unconditional grace, love, and acceptance embodied in the Word of God, Jesus Christ, exclusion because of sexuality and gender identity are not congruent with the rest of Scripture. If we, when striving to be Christ-like, deny others their God-given worth and dignity, then we have missed the mark as followers of Jesus Christ.
We must move towards a future that includes repentance, reconciliation, and the unconditional welcome of the LGBTQ+ community who have been hurt, damaged, and excluded simply because of who they love. The way forward means welcoming all in Jesus’ name without the condition of sexuality or gender identity. The way forward means embodying the radical message that no one is separated from the love of God in Jesus Christ. If this is the path you want to walk, I invite you to join me on this journey!
The Church Corner is organized by the Plateau Ministerial Association, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Courier-Herald. For more information about the Church Corner, email PMA president Keith Marshall at pastorkeithmarshall@gmail.com.
