1 post tagged “gender identity”
Is your church being transformed by the world's view to just accept people as they are? Or will your church be the place to show how the love of God will provide a way to restore broken lives?
Sin is death; restoring lives once dead has always been the purpose and mission of church. Making disciples for Jesus Christ out of broken lives is the evidence of the power and grace of Jesus Christ. The testimony of restored lives should include transsexuals and homosexuals. This is where your church can become the bride of Christ by giving new life to sin filled broken lives.
If, on the other hand, the purpose of your church is to only show tolerance and acceptance and make no attempt to use the power and grace to transform or restore the broken lives of transsexuals or homosexuals, then your church has been transformed by a world full of sin. That is not a church founded on scripture or Jesus Christ.
How should a church deal with the transsexual who comes to church on Sunday, one who is a man dressed as a woman? Here is how: tell them you love them and you want them to truly experience the awesome power and grace of Jesus Christ, and in order to do that they must leave the dress at home. Let them know they are welcome to come and worship Christ as a man, yes, a man, who struggles with gender identity. Deal with it in the same way you would deal with an alcoholic who comes to church on Sunday under the influence of alcohol. You would take them aside and guide them to your church alcohol recovery ministry.
Restoring a broken life starts with showing love and continues with setting boundaries and providing support and guidance. Others who have been restored give testimonies as proof, Jesus Christ will make good on his promise to restore broken lives.
The Church belongs to Jesus Christ and is the place to be transformed and restored to Christ. Without challenging hurting people to turn from sin and receive healing, the church settles for being just a building where broken lives stay broken, all in the name of acceptance and tolerance.