Unless you’re living in a cave in some remote area, you’ve probably noticed that it’s Pride month here in the U.S. It’s a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ community.
So how do we respond like Jesus?
I raise the question because I think it’s an important and often overlooked question in the church. There’s enormous societal pressure to yield to our culture norms and join the celebration. Is it right for a Jesus follower to fly the rainbow flag or march in a pride parade? I think many of us in the CGGC would answer no to that question. Because of my desire to follow Jesus and my allegiance to Him, I could not march in support of a pride parade any more than I could march in support of a white supremacist parade. Both instances fall short of Jesus’s way which he modeled by living a life full of grace and truth (John 1:14). I can’t celebrate disobedience to Jesus the king. And yet this is a real temptation for us and there is growing societal pressure to both accept and support the changing mores of our culture. So, if we cannot join in the Pride celebrations, then how do we respond like Christ?
When I peruse the average response that most of my brothers and sisters have to Pride month, I don’t think we’re hitting the mark of living like Jesus. Does sarcasm, mocking or anger represent the way of Jesus to our world? Again, I don’t think so. I think it adds fuel to an already raging fire, and I don’t think Jesus wants anything to do with it. That being said, it’s safe to say that social media isn’t the best place to attempt difficult, emotionally charged, theological conversations. That’s part of the problem. Our tweets and our posts, while supporting the truth, might be doing more harm than good, particularly when it comes across as trite, disingenuous, and overly simplistic.
Now, I know some will accuse me of just trying to fit in and avoid standing up for the truth, even when it hurts. Those people have missed my intent. I’m not that naïve. I fully understand that we can be loving and gracious in addressing such matters in our culture and we’re still going to be accused of being hateful and bigoted. This isn’t about fitting in or being more likeable, but rather walking in the way of Jesus, making Christlikeness our ultimate aim. This is about living as agents of the kingdom of God. Look at what Matthew reports about the way Jesus interacted with the people of his day: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus had compassion on the crowds. He saw them as harassed and helpless, not as enemies or the opposition. Jesus lived with both conviction and compassion. The same should be said of us.
What do you experience when you witness the crowds at a Pride parade? Is it compassion? Do you feel deep concern for the people you see celebrating the LGBTQ community, or do you feel disdain for them? Do you see people as harassed and helpless, or do you see them as the enemy? Our world is at war with the way of Jesus, no doubt about it. All of us are prone to be deceived by the ways of this world and the lies of the true enemy, Satan. All of us are prone to give in to the desires of our own flesh and live by our own rules. It is important then that we do not fall into disobedience to Christ in response to their disobedience to Christ.
My hunch is that many of us in the evangelical church often view folks in the LGBTQ community as our enemies. “They’re opposed to our beliefs.” “They’re a threat to our society.” I also believe that many in the LGBTQ community view the evangelical church as enemies as well. “They don’t accept us for who we are.” “They’re trying to force their morality on us.”
Maybe a good place for us to start is by hearing the instructions of Jesus about how his followers are to act when it comes to their enemies (Luke 6:27-36):
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
If you feel mistreated by the LGBTQ community, are you praying for them? If you perceive the LGBTQ community as your enemy, are you doing good for them? If you have been wounded by the LGBTQ community, are you showing mercy and forgiveness to them? How are you giving to the LGBTQ community without expecting anything back in repayment?
Christ’s Peace,
Lance
CGGC eNews—Vol. 16, No. 23
Login To Leave Comment