I'm a trans woman. I am not impressed with this event at all if the reporting here is accurate.
First of all, there is no way that 150 out of 300 people are gay or lesbian unless you have an event that is targeted to or organized by gay people. Certainly not at a church service. Try 20-40 out of 300.
Next, gay men should be men. Trans-women should not be. I don't know what was meant by that but be careful, you might just marginalize the community I belong to and that's not right...particularly from a group that knows what it's like.
Third and probably most importantly, if you believe you are gay and can't be saved, you need to stop being gay. If you can't God must be a real cruel master. What father would create someone in the impossible situation of being something they can't be?
Here's what I believe. I believe Jesus taught about love. He was right their criticizing the super religious and told them that they "strained at a gnat and swallowed the camel." They didn't get it then and they don't get it now. Same people in different stripes.
Jesus said do as they say not as they do. Love like they say...not like they do. Selfless love esteeming others as more important than you and humbly seeking God through prayer is where we LGBT Christians need to be. We should act as peacemakers between the very conservative and the LGBT community as LGBT members of faith.
We must bridge that gap and extend the love of God to our LGBT brothers and sisters and welcome them into his kingdom. We can't sit in shame and silence while others whom he loves are lost to lies and confusion.
The purpose of marriage is to prevent the married couple from sinning. It's blessed and sanctified by God for that reason. Just because the examples in the Bible didn't include gay people doesn't mean God never intended it. Just as Jesus saves and sanctifies the church, marriage saves and sanctifies the couple in it from sin. God graciously allows us through marriage many blessings and many of those blessings also would be of great benefit to gay and lesbian couples.
God made bridges when people needed him too. He granted GRACE. He parted the sea. He guided the stones to fell a giant. GOD is GOOD. GOD ALWAYS MAKES A WAY and as the church it is our job to make that way for those that are lost and hurting and needing his love. We were extended the authority to act and we have every right and obligation to do so.
If we get lost in the rule of the law we lose sight of grace. Jesus said there is a time and a season for all things and extending marriage to committed same sex couples and accepting the truth of others who are different so that Gods message of love is not LOST on them has come.
Paul asked the question should we continue to sin so that grace should abound and answered it for us also. Not all things are beneficial so of course not...
Yet this is one thing where we can see the harm and feel the pain. We can also see how that is overcome by people learning to accept themselves. We can see the joy and goodness that flows from someone who lives in what they believe to be their truth. Even if you think it is not what God intended, how can you suggest that they should be stuck being miserable and feeling despised by God? How can anyone of faith reconcile our loving God with that pain?
Studies conclusively show that if a family accepts and loves their gay child the child will thrive but if the child faces rejection, judgement, or condemnation the risks all across the board are worse.
BY ALL THAT IS HOLY AND GOOD...judge the FRUITS of the actions! WHICH ARE FROM GOD?
Know it in your heart. God loves gay people too. If you can't see this and your heart is so hard then Paul's words in 1 Timothy 4 are for you:
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.Everything God created is good. LGBT people are born that way. They almost always try not to be who they are sometimes to the point where they give up on themselves and attempt suicide. (well over 20% have attempted. Higher numbers in the trans community). It's often but not always a narrow and hard road. Particularly at first. If you can't see the pain then there is something wrong. If you can't have compassion then there is something wrong.
The Church will overthrow and tear down this wall. Gods people can not be held apart any longer. His message will prevail. You watch. You see. Millions will be saved!
