As Christians we should look at this not as a dividing
line, but rather an opportunity to share our Jesus with people. And when you
are asked the hard questions…we should be able to answer with love, compassion
and honesty.
The person’s Question:
What are your thoughts on gay marriage?
Your response could look something like this:
"I would like to talk about the bigger issue here
and that is sin and how to be forgiven. I wasn't always a Christian, I was once
mastered by alcohol & drug addiction, I was a liar, I hated & was mean to people, I
stole stuff, I had sex outside of marriage…etc, etc. And consequently I struggled
with loneliness, depression, anger…etc. And realized my life was a "hot
mess" of sin. One day I met Jesus and I turned my heart and mind to Him. I
realized He has the best plans for me, (that don't include the "sins"
that were hurting me and others). Jesus changed my life, and gives me the grace
to overcome the sin that once mastered me. Now I choose to live for Him and
help others know that they can be forgiven of their sin too.
So if you are asking me if homosexuality is a sin, I
would say yes, as are many other sins that hurt us and others (check out Romans
1 & 2)...The good news is that Jesus loves you so much and that is precisely why He came to die for
us, because sin carries a death penalty, and Jesus paid our death penalty ‘in
full’ at the cross, so we could be forgiven...and be in relationship with Him
now and for eternity. The same door is open to everyone (you), if you want that
same forgiveness of sins, the choice is yours… to turn your heart and mind from
choosing to sin, to choosing to follow Jesus for the rest of your life and
accept His free gift of being rescued from your 'sin mess'.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
- Treat them with respect and try to understand them and
their question.
- Share your testimony and how Jesus changed your life, present
the bigger issue of how your sin hurt you and others around you.
- Remind them it isn't just about one particular sin,
but all sin that separates us from God.
- Tell them Jesus loves them & came to die for them
so they could be forgiven of their sin.
- Present the open invitation to turn their heart and
mind from choosing to sin, and now choosing to follow Jesus for the rest of
their life (being forgiven and free from being mastered by sin).
If they are interested in what you have to say, follow up with them...be a friend, invite them to go have coffee or lunch with you... :)
(I encourage you write it out your answer to these hard
questions in your own words, to help you remember how to present your Jesus to
a world that needs Him more than ever).
