Today, we live in a confused world. Some would say there are over 100 gender identities. I can’t even start to think of how you could even make up more than 3 or 4 if you really tried. The world walks exactly contrary to the order which God has created. As Christians this can be difficult. How do we address someone who believes all of this? If a loved one in the church starts to feel more included in that community than the church, what do we do? Or perhaps your question may even be, “What do I do since I feel this way?” These questions are becoming more and more tricky as the world wants to give so many responses to “help” you begin your journey when you think about these questions.
In his book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, Christopher Yuan explains God’s intended sexuality as opposed to the world’s growingly crooked ideas of sexuality. Christopher was once a gay man. After many years, God brought him to see his sin. The book’s main message is quite simple. God created man to be chaste when single or faithful to one marriage between a man and woman. That is the idea of holy sexuality. He argues we should not fall into the world’s trap of identifying as homosexual, heterosexual, or the many other identities, but rather we should identify as Christ’s people and practice holy sexuality (chastity in singleness or faithfulness to one marriage) as the Bible teaches.
Throughout the book, Christopher rightly teaches that anything else besides holy sexuality is sinful. But really he digs deeper to address the issues of our society which often lead up to these sins. He explains how many people in our society often take their identity in what they do (I am a writer), how they are (I’m happy, social, sad, confident, anxious or homosexual) instead of who they are (I am one in Christ, pg. 12). The crisis in our country is truly an identity crisis. We need to see ourselves as those created by God in His image with the purpose to glorify Him.
Christopher also encourages us all to realize that people in these communities are sinners just like we are. They need Jesus just like we do. We ought not to treat them as if they have done an unforgivable sin. He explains that from his own experience he felt there was nobody the church hated more than people who were gay. He felt like there was no room for him to even try to go to church. He encourages us all to look at our own hearts to quickly realize how we are no better. We cherish our own sins. We give in to certain sinful desires or feelings just as much.
As you prepare for college, the workplace, or perhaps struggle with a family member this book is a good resource to help us see how to show the love of Christ to one who struggles with these sins. This topic is perhaps the greatest struggle for our generation wandering in this world and we do well to study what God’s word has to say about it. Consider even reading through this book as a family or with a group of friends. It includes a study guide in the back to help you do so. As with any book, read with discernment. Be wary of the ideas of coming to Christ or God desiring to save all. Nevertheless, this book is full of good instruction. As a pastor once told me, we have to read books like eating a fish dinner. There is much good and nutritious meat to enjoy, but we also have to pick out the small bones.
In conclusion, pray for wisdom as you may have conversations with those who truly feel lost, but have found home in the LGBTQ+ community. May we all make sure that we do not give anyone a reason to say the church has not loved them, but may we faithfully uphold the truth of God’s word. Fend away the temptation to hate the sinner and fill your heart with compassion, love, and sorrow for those who have such an identity crisis. At the same time, hate the sin as it is a turning away from God’s beautiful order which he created.
By Luke Potjer
Young Calvinists 