Frequently Asked Question

No matter where I go, I am consistently asked one question from gay and straight people...

"How can you be gay and Christian?"

I don't believe this is a valid question. I believe the question we really need to be asking is, "What is a Christian?"

If we look to the example that is given to us by the first Christian person that pops in our mind then everyone's perception will be different. If you look up the definition for "Christian" it will tell you it means "Christ like." If we look at the "church" to define what it means to be Christian we'll only get confused, angry, frustrated, and quit.

So what does it mean to be a Christian? And is this faith available to all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and income level? Is it available to all despite the depth of our shame, disgrace, and infidelity?

Let's look at what Jesus said in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

They will know YOU are MINE if you love one another. It is through loving God, ourselves, and others we are His. It is through picking up our cross of love daily, and adhering to this one and only command, that we fulfill all the laws. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, without love we are nothing, we are empty, we are void of Christ. We are commanded to love those we feel incapable of loving, we are commanded to get beyond our pride and comfort to love. It is only then that we are actively following Christ.

Love will never invoke fear and true love only comes from a place absent of fear. Love is absent of the fear which says, "Save yourself!" The fear which says, "You're not good enough!" The fear which says, "You're going to hell!" When this love is demonstrated, it is then Christ is experienced by the receiver and Christ is followed by the giver.

Regardless of your race, gender, sexual orientation, income level, or the depth of your shame; you were created with the capacity and ability to love and be loved. You were created with the capacity and ability to follow Christ.

Jesus told us to come to Him with our burdens. We are told to come to Him as we are, not as we should be, because we'll never be as we should be. I encourage you to do that.

Come to Christ with your doubt, unbelief, and uncertainty. Come to Him covered in your shame, insecurity, and broken promises. Come to Him as you are. That is all He wants and He will give you rest. He won't always give you answers but rest is yours.

So, what is a Christian? Someone who has a sound and perfected theology? Someone who goes to church every Sunday? Someone who is against abortion and homosexuality? Or is it someone who simply knows how to love and be loved? Is it someone who understands they are not good enough and never will be, but places their hope in One whose grace and goodness covers their lack?

You tell me. What is a Christian?

Be love,

Azariah Southworth

Comments

[pennyjane]

my opinion. christian=one who believes that Jesus Christ is the risen Son of God.

all else might say how one expresses their christianity but to me that's all it takes to be "christian" understanding Christ's message is not a requirement, practicing it as others might understand it is not a requirement. to be christian all one needs is to believe.

i am also often asked how in the world i can be such a christian as i am also gay and transsexual. my answer: "i could no more stop being christian than i could stop being gay or transsexual."

how others might percieve my relationship with my wonderful and amazing Lord and Savior has nothing to do with O/our realationship. you don't have to be good at it to be christian, you just have to believe.

just my opinion. much love and hope. pj