“The opposite of homosexuality isn’t heterosexuality. It’s holiness.” Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, wrote these words in his book entitled Leaving Homosexuality.1 This is a hot topic nowadays as so many homosexual activists are touting that they should have certain rights that others in heterosexual relationships have. There have been six different states who have legalized “gay” marriages and the trend seems to be catching steam. Businesses such as Home Depot are openly pushing an agenda to accept homosexuality as a norm. Even the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has pushed for acceptance of homosexuality.
Chambers, who just received World Magazine’s Daniel of the Year award, was a former homosexual. He is charged by his critics on a regular basis as they say that he is denying what comes naturally to him. Interestingly, Chambers agrees with his critics. But read what he says: “For Christians, every day we’re called to a life of Biblical self-denial. We take up our cross and follow Christ, and we deny what comes naturally. Those who reject the concept of self-denial haven’t reaped the joys that come with it.”
His perspective is correct. For Chambers, his journey began 20 years ago this past September in a Florida chapter of Exodus International (EI). EI is one of the largest organizations in America that ministers to the homosexual community. Chambers first sought help there and is now serving as the President of EI. Sitting in his office with his staff, a staff of about nine people, they read cards with handwritten prayer requests sent to the ministry. These cards come from a newsletter EI sends to its mailing list. On one card, a set of parents asked for prayer for their daughter to overcome homosexuality. Another offered the same request for a son. A third card came from a man asking for prayer as he and his wife raise their newborn child. “I’ve struggled with my sexuality all my life,” he wrote. “Pray that I’ll set a good example of holiness and sexual purity for my daughter.”
Chambers admits that EI does not exist to “fix” people. Rather, EI exists to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “What’s our mission? It’s not to fix people. It’s to point them to Jesus. He’s the one who changes people’s hearts and lives.” Chambers further says, “I chose to look at gay pornography, to go to gay bars, and to have sexual relations with other men.” He eventually stopped indulging, but only because he pursued inward change through the Lord Jesus Christ and holiness in every part of his life—not just his sexuality. In his estimation, any temptation for any sin can be resisted when one is seeking and pursuing the Lord Jesus.
So how should we in the Christian community respond to those living in homosexual lifestyles? We are to treat those living in this lifestyle as we would anyone else living in a sinful lifestyle. Read what Paul the apostle says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of God.” The words that Paul used in these verses applies to everyone. All of us have been unrighteous in some form or fashion. But the good news, just as it is with Chambers, is that the Lord Jesus Christ can wash anyone of us clean, He can sanctify and make us holy in Himself, and He is the One who can justify or declare us to be righteous. Can a homosexual change? Yes, just as any other unrighteous person can through the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18908
