Gay, Yet Godly

I recently read a blog written by a father/pastor promising to love his kids unconditionally should they be born gay.  God's love is unconditional and we are commanded to be like Him, therefore… no matter how our children are born, or anyone else’s children, we who follow after Him must love them unconditionally. There is much good in what he says, but something vital is missing. 

People are born in a variety of ways that were not by His design, yet He allows it and desires that whatever our circumstance, we use it to draw closer to Him. We are not just called to be like Him in love, but in all things we are to be holy. Set apart from the ways of the world. Answering to a higher calling. Pure and blameless. We, who follow Jesus, must strive to be like Him, trusting His grace to cover our often feeble attempts.

God’s design is for us is to walk and talk with Him, to listen and follow Him so that He can protect us from the Evil that lures us away from Him into a painful, Godless existence. Reading the story of Eden reminds us of the danger of listening to a voice that says, “You will not die if you partake of the forbidden fruit.” His heart’s desire is that we will not listen to the lies that lead us down a path of pain and separation from Him and His perfect plan for our flawed minds, spirits and bodies.  

I have seen the pain of those who chose to give in to the desires of the flesh rather than follow God. I have seen the struggles of those who choose God over the desires of the flesh. I see the loneliness and isolation that my loved ones in the gay community face. But I have also seen victory in the lives of those who have fought against the temptation to live to satisfy the flesh and have found joy and peace as they seek the path to which God has called them.  

A child is not responsible for how they are born, but they will become responsible for how they deal with it. If my child is born gay, or with a horrid temper, mental illness, Downs syndrome, learning disabilities, autism, addiction disorder… I will love them unconditionally and I will not condemn them, and I will teach them how God desires us to rise above our physical, mental and emotional challenges and follow Him. I will pray that they will seek God with everything in them so that they can live as He planned... a pure and holy life.  

"Lord, just as you healed the lame man, telling him to take up his mat and walk, remind us that we are to pick up all the reminders of our imperfect birth status and walk toward You where we will find peace and joy. You never intended for any of us to remain in the sinful state to which we were born, but to seek You and the holy life you offer to those who will listen and obey and walk in the glory of your transforming power. Help us not to look at the lives of others with a critical spirit, but to look in the mirror and seek healing from the behaviors and attitudes that do not reflect your beauty and holiness."