There are many happy, healthy, "normal" homosexuals.
May seem like a plain statement, but it is an important preface for this post. I now realize that not many Christians think this.
In posing a lighthearted statement to a few friends (and then to Facebook/ Twitter as a result) on whether there are extra-Biblical reasonings against homosexuality, I was amazed that all the responses attacked the three adjectives first listed in this post. Of course, homosexuals and "supporters of the god of love" chimed in quickly and were able to easily dismantle the weak arguments, but the stereotypical poison-tipped arrows continued to stream in -- yet all arrows were only aimed at the adjectives happy-healthy-normal.
Disciples, we have to abandon such biased and belittling extra-Biblical presentations against homosexuality if we are to be used as effective tools in reaching our generation (and I include myself in the humble rebuke, because I would have been prone to many of the arguments if I weren't the one posing the question).
Not all homosexuals are "torn, depressed, discontent or sexually confused."
Not all homosexuals are "HIV-infected, disease-ridden, promiscuous, or prone to STDs."
Not all homosexuals are "abnormal, uncomfortable, unloved, or being rejected by society."
In fact, most are not. And even those that are unhappy and unhealthy are no worse off than a larger percentage of heterosexuals and even Christians who fit that criterion. I have many girls in my smallgroup and discipleship circle that struggle/struggled with homosexuality, and I can be a witness that many were happy, healthy, and normal. They were in satisfying long-term same-sex relationships. They never contracted any diseases. And they were part of a very large and accepted population in their city.
Needless to say, searching for happiness, health, or "normalcy" was not what lead them to Christ. Change, Christ, or any other type of Conversion was the last thing on their agenda or radar. They were "loved, liberated and living it up!"
And then came the cross.
Oh, that old rugged cross.
So despised by the world, yet it continues to attract the "happy, healthy, and normal” to itself. That old rugged cross that can humble even the best of men to wretched rags, like an arrogant beggar put before a mirror for the first time. That old rugged cross that reduces happiness to NOTHING in the face of holiness, and a Holy God.
As one of my smallgroup girls told me about a year ago - it is not happiness that keeps her from going back to the homosexual relationships, or worldliness for matter. The "happiness" door of opportunity will always be open. However, it’s not even an option after encountering Christ because God himself has given her a heart transplant and renewed taste buds that thirst after holiness alone; a tall order that happiness can never fill. A renewed appetite for intimacy and righteousness, only satisfied by Christ and the inheritance that he shares with those that pick up the cross (mercy, grace, sonship, and the best of all - His very Spirit).
Saints, let's continue to run with the blood-stained banner alone in the race to win souls for Christ. And let us throw off the weight of secular morality and our own subjective opinions. Intellect never transformed Saul to Paul, but intersecting the cross on the Damascus road did. A man can never lead himself or others to God, but we are all left dependent on His Spirit alone to save us and those around us. The cross alone is our only confidence, our only boast, our only hope .......and an incorruptible hope at that.
Sad or happy, homosexual or not, PRAYING with perseverance and power for specific family and friends will lead them to Christ faster than any assumptions or persuasion about their sexuality.
*Memo to self ;-)
References
Romans 3:10
Acts 26:9-18
Ephesians 1:18
Hebrews 3:6
1 Peter 3:15
John 6:44
First Official Installment of videos highlighted as Pure Salty Goodness for the month of July. Check out the line up of Viktory, Frontlynaz, Mali Music, Rhema Soul, Michelle Bonilla and more. CLICK PLAY and leave a comment:
1) pH7 TV - Welcome Intro
2) Joyful Noise - Official Music Video: FLAME feat. Lecrae & John Reilly
3) pH7 TV - Events - Xist Urban Gospel Cruise
4) XIst Urban Gospel Cruise
5) pH7 TV - Cruise Info - Viktory On Fire
6) On Fire - Viktory (Official Video)
7) pH7 - New CD - Mali Music
8) "Trouble" by Zion feat. Mali Music
9) Mali Music sings "Glory to the Lamb" Unplugged
10) What is pH7? (Matt 5:13)
11) P4CM Presents their official college ministry: "THE UPRISING"
12) pH7 TV - Acoustic Pick - Michelle Bonilla
13) Michelle Bonilla sings Your Show (Acoustic Version)
14) pH7 TV - Rhema Soul - Dumb Dance
15) Rhema Soul- Dumb Dance Will Smith
16) pH7 TV - New Joint - Frontlynaz - Pump up the Bass
17) FRONTLYNAZ NEW Single "Pump Up The Bass"
18) pH7 - Irie Pick - Avion Blackman - Yeshua
19) Avion Blackman "Yeshua"
20) pH7 TV - Fave Pick - Theory Haz It - Home
21) Theory Hazit - "I Just Wanna Go Home" video
22) Michelle Bonilla - "Your Show"
23) Michelle Bonilla: New Album Teaser Video
24) Reach Magazine TV promo
25) Bro. Wize - A Perspective on "Holy Hip Hop (HHH)"
26) Girls Gone God
The Passion for Christ Movement is making an unprecedented move, by introducing its own college ministry called "The Uprising".
It all started with a couple of students who took the same passion and boldness seen in the inspiring videos from P4CM to their college campuses. By merely taking a strong stand for gospel of Jesus Christ, prestigious universities such as UCLA, Florida and Claremont Colleges went into mini revivals. Christian and non Christian groups could all attest to the impact made by these few young Christians. The large response and growth demanded some sort of organization, and UCLA started by organizing its own college bible study. The small bible study was such a success that it is currently spreading to other campuses across the globe ranging from Florida to Kenya.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 says "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
Those terrible times Paul talks about looks a lot like today, with over 80% of Americans professing to be Christians top rating songs, tv shows and movies that glorifying sexual immorality remain on the billboard charts for over a month. Amidst all the deception and comprising of this generation we must choose be set apart for Christ! He truly deserves the BEST OF OUR YOUTH; in our world full of darkness there is dire need for the Gospel Of Christ,
WELCOME TO THE UPRISING!
Join us in making an IMPACT for Jesus Christ in our generation:
Check out our youtube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/P4CMTheUprising
I remember when women were beautiful, lovely, elegant, graceful and charming. Sexy, seductive, so called "classy", tempting, and erotic now define. Being a woman means so much more than this body [Proverbs 31:30]. BIBLICAL women please stand up. --Mati Bomah
Since we're speaking on SWAG, this is an old post to serve as a friendly reminder on SEXY.
God makes things beautiful, but God never brought sexy into the Kingdom. He never looked at sexy and thought "it is good" and decided to give it to His people. So the fact that we came into the Kingdom and did not see it there, does NOT mean that it left. Sexy was never here! God never intended it for "His called out ones". So why are Christians BRINGING SEXY BACK?! Why do we feel the need to usher in something that was never promised to us. Why are we carrying a banner that goes against the very definition of holiness... which He called us out to be (James 4:4). Yes, Christian, you got called out.. stop comparing yourself to other people, even others in the church.. God called YOU out by name (John 21:22).
Quite frankly, I think the confusion between the Kingdom and the Church has fed, and even created, this misconception. The Kingdom and the Church ARE NOT SYNONYMS. "The Kingdom is not a religious system, an institution or something that can be organized into committees or study groups. If we are to capture this culture with true Kingdom values ...we [may have to] start using terms that are unique and don’t carry the baggage that the word “church” does".. if that is what it will take to shake us out of our worldy mold. The Ekklesia/ Bride of Christ/ Disciples are not called to be sexy!
The Church is being transformed to look more like the Kingdom, NOT the other way around. God is not lowering His Holy standards to comply with changing church culture, He is calling us up to meet His, and to STAND on it. So yes, I am sure you have seen sexy in the church. I am even sure you have seen sexy in me! But please!.. bretheren, do not use me or the church as your measuring stick, or else you may miss "His kingdom come". I am not writing this blog based on my own standards, because I am not calling people to myself! “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true" (John 5:31). I AM CALLING PEOPLE TO CHRIST. Of course, I am striving to be more like Him, but I AM NOT HIM.
And YES!.. I am judging, so that I can be judged (Matt 7:2). I am throwing the boomerang out there to stir up disciples, just so it can come back and hit me hard, and provoke me to righteousness. And yes, this is for those who profess the love of Christ.. not outsiders. "For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges." (1 Cor 5:12-13). We are supposed to sharpen each other, but usually we refrain from speaking, fearing what others will say about our eye planks. But bring it on! PLEASE show me the planks in my eyes, because we are running to Christ together, and my plank will only end up tripping up your race too.
Men, women, brothers and sisters, let us give the world back it's "delicacies" and refuse to eat of the king's table (Daniel 1:8). Rather, let us feast on the true King's Word which will transform us, from the inside out; Let us set ourself apart, "exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). Those who are called by His name, I am calling you out, let us give sexy back... it's starting to stink up the place.
References
BEAUTIFUL - Having qualities that delight the eye.
Synonyms: admirable, angelic, appealing, beauteous, charming, classy, comely, cute, dazzling, delicate, delightful, divine, elegant, excellent, exquisite, fair, fascinating, good-looking, gorgeous, graceful, handsome, lovely, magnificent, marvelous, nice, pleasing, pretty, radiant, ravishing, refined, resplendent, splendid, statuesque, stunning, symmetrical, wonderful
SEXY - being erotically attractive to another
Synonyms: arousing, flirtatious, erotic, hot*, inviting, provocative, provoking, racy, risqué, seductive, sensual, sensuous, slinky*, spicy*, steamy, suggestive, titillating, voluptuous
John 5:30
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Ok, so maybe the term "swag" will not be needing life insurance anytime soon. Credited to Will Smith in the 90s, the term is still going strong many years later and is used throughout society in more than just hip hop. Originating from the negatively defined term "swagger" (see below), the modified slang can simply mean the way one walks, strides, or presents themselves generally, even their lifestyle.
swagger
to walk or strut with a defiant or insolent air; ostentatious display of arrogance and conceit; to strut, brag, boast
In secular culture, the term is usually boasted to portray pride in ones self and belongings. But of course, Christians who have adopted the term use it to represent the "blessings" or "confidence" they now have in Christ. And hey, why not! Some people just cant help the favor they receive, or the prosperity that follows them around. Nevertheless, an issue presents itself when the term swag is joined to Christ, and used inappropriately.
If you're going to claim "swag like Christ" then "like Christ" should look... "like Christ".
Quite frankly, Christ never boasted in chariots, castles, new sandals, or shekels. AKA, Christ's swag was not found in cars, mansions, new shoes, or money. Many will respond saying God has always promised earthly wealth for His people, and will point out King David and King Solomon who were known for their unending riches and possessions. And to that I say -- so use them as your role models then!
There is nothing wrong with saying you got "swag like King Solomon" while pointing out the new Jordans God recently dropped in your lap. But by golly-gee-wiz, please don't use Christ's name in vain. Swag is here to stay, no matter how misunderstood and overused it becomes. But let's keep things and the men and women of the Bible in their proper place and testimony.
I love y'all man! And just to show that this blog was written in humble, lighthearted fun, I will post a few embarrassing lines to some old bars I wrote in my swag phase (but appropriately quoting Christ and not King Solomon), LOL:
When I swag like Christ, what does that look like?
I talk about it all the time, but let me define.
I got a peace like my Daddy and a sweet shalom (Jn 14:27)
Nothin lacking nothin missing-yo I been made whole! (Jn 16:33)
Got a joy unspeakable that always shows (Jn 15:11)
No need to mean mug, my kindness has a killer glow (Lk 6:35)
......
Lose your Swag, become a FOOL for Him. -Da Truth
*inspired by the following DaSouth.com discussion thread on Millyon's new music video "Swaggin": Click here!
