From the Executive Director’s Heart

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In previous issues I reported on various ministry aspects related to Greater Hope. In this issue, I will begin to specifically address the multi-faceted and ever controversial subject of homosexuality. Initially, I will primarily focus on this subject as it pertains to the Church. This ministry views homosexual behavior as only one of many expressions of our pervasive human brokenness (sinful nature.) Jeff Olson, a licensed counselor in Michigan defines homosexuality as "a persistent preoccupation with erotic encounters involving members of the same sex, which may or may not be acted out with another person. Put another way, it is making deliberate plans to entertain and cooperate in sexual fantasies or behaviors with someone of the same sex."

I want to make clear that we are a ministry that offers hope and healing for those desiring freedom from unwanted same-sex attractions, through the transforming love and power of Jesus Christ! Our desire is to emulate Christ by extending His love and compassion, while balancing it with Biblical truth. Sadly, this is where much of the Church has failed by emphasizing one side at the expense of the other. I recently heard a woman who professes to be a lesbian and a Christian proclaim, "Jesus Christ is my best friend." She added, if Jesus were in the room, He would come and sit next to her. I don't doubt this at all, and believe He would do the same for any one of us. However, I also believe He would address areas in my/your life that are inconsistent with His Word and His character. He never ceases to love me (or you), but because God is Holy, He will not tolerate any behavior/condition that is sinful in His eyes [be it bitterness, unforgiveness, gluttony, envy, gossip, fornication or any other sexual sin.] We don't have to look any further than the hypocritical Pharisees/Sadducees, the woman caught in adultery or the rich young ruler to see this Biblical principle demonstrated. The question then arises; was Christ's sacrificial death on the Cross sufficient to atone for all our sins? This depends on ones interpretation of sin...

Many in the Church today do not correlate acting out with the same sex as sin. We (the Church) do an injustice to anyone struggling with same-sex attractions by either totally accepting and advocating their behavior or by attacking and rejecting him or her. And while change is possible, there are no easy answers or simple cures in the process of sexual redemption. The Church should be a place of grace and truth, where people are loved for who they are (being), yet challenged and corrected when behaviors (doing) are out of line with Scripture. Many have been misled, castigated and wounded by the Church due to ignorance and confusion. All too often, She (the Church) has capitulated to outside sources instead of adhering to the absolute truths and infinite standards of God's Word. In Isaiah 5:20, the prophet warned, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.." Author Chuck Colson recently stated, "objective truth has been replaced by subjective speculation." In a world (and Church) that often worships at the alter of relative values and blind tolerance, absolute truth is becoming obsolete. Or as the Apostle Paul exhorted in Romans 1:25, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator- who is forever praised!"

Homosexuality is not consistent with God's original intent and purpose for our lives. Healthy,  "whole-enough" heterosexuality is more than God's perfect design; He empowers and enables us to make it absolutely attainable. Former homosexual Andy Comiskey relates, "The Father is our goal. As author and restorer of our personhood, He reclaims His original intentions for us. Where we are broken, He imparts healing; if defiled, He promises cleansing; where we are weak and insubstantial, His immeasurable love imparts to us the basis for a new and lasting strength."  If you are one who desires to be set free from the shame, deception and loneliness of same-sex attractions...there is hope and healing through Jesus Christ. You don't have to be gay! Your true identity can ultimately be found in Christ. He bids you come and join many other "being healed" ones on this journey towards wholeness...His grace is sufficient!

In the next issue I will address some of the common root causes contributing to same-sex attractions.

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