Why does sexual orientation matter?
Not to mistake sinner for sin
One thing that has seemed to be a major hindrance in the process
of faith, reasonably so, is the issue of personal sexual orientation. One may
say he or she was born that way, and the very important question arises:
"Why does it matter to God who I love? He made me that way, after all."
Well, firstly, God loves everyone, no matter what; that is
emphasized repeatedly throughout the Bible. Nothing one could do, or nothing
about one's self, could ever make God not love them. God will always love the
person, but can never love the sin. How do homosexuality or bisexuality tie in,
then?
"So God created man
in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
God is perfection; there is no flaw about Him. When God created humankind,
He created it in His image. Thus, in the image of perfection. The first pair
ever, the first sexual partnership, was Adam and Eve; a male and female. That
relationship, comprised of two who were made in the image of perfection, was therefore,
perfect. The way God intended human relationship is the way He created it, man
and woman.
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)
So, homosexuality is a veritable sin; it goes against God's plan
and way. HOWEVER, do not mistake that for meaning that God hates those of a
different sexual orientation. Far too many "Christians" destroy the
name of God by spreading that farce. God loves each one of us, despite living
situations, lifestyles, pasts, or anything else. If God truly did despise all
alternatively oriented people, He would not reach out to them; He would
instantly condemn them and offer no chance of reconciliation. The Lord does
offer this chance, though, just as He does to everyone else. Imagine for a moment as if sexual orientation did not exist, everybody was the same.
God has the same instruction for all.
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immortality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him." (1 Thessalonians 3:3-6)
Approaching the issue of same-sex relationships as sexual immorality, due to its deviation from God's plan, it is given the same advice. One in this situation must deny themselves any sort of indulgence; it is granted that the urges will be there, but the will to act upon them must be quelled. The act of self-denial is difficult, no matter what the sacrifice may be, but God does not simply tell us to deal with it and abandon us.
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Galatians 5:16)
Working past the sexual temptations and urges will be difficult, but God provides His Spirit to work in anyone who asks. God knows the struggles of self-denial, and is there with a mighty hand to pull one through the hardships.
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