How do you deal with a gay friend? - Page 3

Michael The Disciple · #21 01-28-2013, 06:39 AM

A gay guy trained me on my job. He was bold with me I was bold with him. We got along fine. I was sad to see him go when he left. Treat them like anyone else who is not saved. Courteously while waiting for an open door.

Aquila · #22 01-28-2013, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeUncommon

How do you deal with a fellow Christian who is gay?

The Bible is clear that this is sin. And I have a feeling that the conversation of "if this is sinful, why did God make me gay?" is going to come up soon. And I want to handle it rightly.

Has anyone else been through this before? Any tips? Speaking in love and directly from the Bible are in my arsenal now. I just want to make really sure that if/when the conversation comes up, I handle it with love and the right spirit.

Everyone is born with a sinful nature that has a predisposition towards certain sinful behaviors. So... the argument that "God made me gay" holds no weight. Born with a sinful nature? Yes. Did GOD make one a sinner? No. Sin, working in our nature from conception, makes us sinners.

I treat them like any other friend. When talking about Jesus... I emphasize that HE is the only way we can find forgiveness for sin and the supernatural power that can transform us according to His will. If they are Christian, and grappling with this issue... I allow them to work out their own salvation. It's between them and the Lord.

bishoph · #23 01-28-2013, 12:21 PM

As has been said treat them with Christian love and when the opportunity presents its self, allow the Holy Ghost to reach out to them through you. Not with condemnation but with true humility and love.

Now for the sake of discussion, I submit that there is no such thing as a gay Christian. To be a Christian is to be Christ-like, and if one is practicing/living a gay lifestyle they are NOT Christ-like. If they are a Christian, (but lived as a homosexual before Christ) they are a new creature and have been transformed. If they are still actively living the lifestyle they have not been transformed and are not a Christian. IMO this is one of the problems with modern Christianity, in our desire to not offend and be politically correct we have become tolerant of things that God declares as an abomination to him. According to the latest polls a majority of Americans no longer have a problem with homosexuality and/or same sex marriage........I believe God is grieved!

Aquila · #24 01-28-2013, 12:30 PM

I believe that sanctification is a process in which one increasingly grows into the likeness of Jesus. Therefore, we should have patience grace towards those precious souls whom GOD has filled with His Spirit. Some may not entirely let go of various proclivities until later in life. Salvation is a walk with Christ... a spiritual journey.

Aquila · #25 01-28-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishoph

As has been said treat them with Christian love and when the opportunity presents its self, allow the Holy Ghost to reach out to them through you. Not with condemnation but with true humility and love.

Now for the sake of discussion, I submit that there is no such thing as a gay Christian. To be a Christian is to be Christ-like, and if one is practicing/living a gay lifestyle they are NOT Christ-like. If they are a Christian, (but lived as a homosexual before Christ) they are a new creature and have been transformed. If they are still actively living the lifestyle they have not been transformed and are not a Christian. IMO this is one of the problems with modern Christianity, in our desire to not offend and be politically correct we have become tolerant of things that God declares as an abomination to him. According to the latest polls a majority of Americans no longer have a problem with homosexuality and/or same sex marriage........I believe God is grieved!

All sin is an abomination to God.

bishoph · #26 01-28-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

All sin is an abomination to God.

Which is why I said "we have become tolerant of things" (plural) that are an abomination to God.

Aquila · #27 01-28-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishoph

Which is why I said "we have become tolerant of things" (plural) that are an abomination to God.

Yes, too many churches have become "tolerant" of sin.

I think we need to clarify the difference between tolerance... and patience.

MissBrattified · #28 01-28-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I would just say, I think you know how I personally feel about this subject however let's talk about things we agree on....unless the person wants to change why make them upset? Pray for them. I have a very close friend that is like a brother he is gay...I seldom see him anymore but when I do I talk about other things. We grew up together. (Next door neighbors) he was always at our house. All I can do is pray that someday he will see things in a different light. Yes, and he does go to a church that accepts him...
I would never on purpose be unkind to anyone because of their lifestyle....

Jermyn Davidson · #29 01-28-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Yes, too many churches have become "tolerant" of sin.

I think we need to clarify the difference between tolerance... and patience.

Such an AWESOME statement!

It is my experience that it is best that IF your "gay CHRISTIAN friend" doesn't think it is wrong for him to be gay, THEN don't be friends with him.

Cut him off.

I think we need to clarify the difference between acquaintances and friends.

This person is different from most other sinners that don't pretend to be a practicing and faithful Christian. I would hold such an acquaintance closer to me that fit into that category than a self-professing Christian that has embraced any sin as right.

They are deceived and are in danger of a judgement worse than the infidels who have never known God.

Seriously, you gotta be careful.
Ungodly compromises to befriend someone are just as sinful as any other sin.

not4saken · #30 01-28-2013, 03:00 PM

As a child, I had NO CLUE what a bonafide 'homosexual' was. I only knew that it was an adbomination to God to be a FAG, or a HOMO, or a QUEER. words that came across the pulpit many times in my young life. My family had no dealings with any homosexuals, nor did we have any in our family circle. (That we KNEW about). This lifestyle was talked about with disgust, venomous words were used to describe them, and the word 'hate' was used in the same sentence as 'homo' quite a bit.

Imagine my surprise when, in my 40's I had to rub elbows with a co-worker that was openly gay. Six months after I got that job, he got a better offer from a company and he asked me to go with him and be his assistant. I jumped at the opportunity. Best boss I ever had. We are 'friendly' to this day. He knew that I didn't agree with his lifestyle, but we decided to agree to disagree- in an effort to continue to be friends. I rarely see him anymore, but if I saw him tomorrow, I could hug his neck and eat lunch with him.

Since that time, I have had several folks in my family 'come out'...I hurt when I see the way they are treated by the old time Pentecostals in our family. You will never win someone that you have embittered. It will never happen. When you refuse to come to family get-togethers, and Christmas dinners, or weddings, or funerals- because 'they' are going to be there- YOU have the problem, not 'THEM'.

Is the fact that I treat them as the family they are, a sign of compromise and tolerance? NO. It's simple courtesy. A word that I fear is swiftly disappearing among some circles in the Apostolic movement.When I hug their neck and say, "I love you"- they know I mean it. Because I DO. In actions, and in words. I am NOT saying that I love the way they are living. I love THEM, the human being that they are. We ALL have sinned and come short- God help us ALL- none of us have yet MADE IT to glory.

Just my two cents worth.