A few months ago I spent some time looking at the issues around homosexuality and the church. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed with love and respect. In a recent issue of the Christian Chronicle, they do just that. A panel of three respondents share their thoughts and experience about how the church should respond to same-sex attraction.Sally Gary says:
For someone who experiences same-sex attraction — even someone who has grown up in church — there’s a great deal of fear in simply admitting those feelings.
It’s critical to respond in love — the expressions on our faces, our willingness to really walk with this person, beyond a pat on the back at a worship service. We must all convey a genuine desire to understand and support the person struggling with same-sex attraction.
Spend lots of time listening and less time sharing Scriptural references. If the person has grown up with Scripture, he or she knows. And, frankly, reading verses from Ephesians 4 to me when I’m angry has never stopped me from feeling angry.
Simply love me as my Father loves me — unconditionally — and let me truly experience his love through your living life with me. Feeling that love, through a brother in Christ who was and still is willing to take me right where I am, even when I’m at my most unlovable, has made all the difference in my life.
How can you show genuine love to someone? How has unconditional love affected you?
No comments:
Post a Comment