Pride Month: Whatever Comes Through That Gate…

Whatever Comes Through That Gate…

In Peter Jackson’s film-adaptation of Tolkien’s work, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, there is a tense scene at the Battle of Minas Tirith. Gandalf is beckoning the guard to the gates to prepare for the hoard of orcs that are posed to flood through. Grond, a terrifying wolf-shaped battering ram beats at the hallowed gates of the White City. It is in this moment where one would expect encouragement from the harrowing acting leader of the Gondorian garrison. Instead we get something else that not many of us like: a call to duty and obedience.

“You are soldiers of Gondor.” Gandalf says. “No matter what comes through that gate, you’ll stand your ground.”

Duty and Obedience.

As the month of June ensues, Pride pounds at the gate. How will we answer this onslaught? Will we, the Church, cower and fold under the pressure of Culture, or will we stand our ground on biblical truth, Christ-like love, and sacrifice?

What’s Coming…

We all know what’s happening. Endless hordes of news reels, ads, billboards, shows, and characters in tv shows are posed to flood our screens and sources of entertainment. Demands from employers to wear pins and buttons showing one’s adherence to company policy and even a shift in pushing products that support Pride organizations will be put upon employees. Threats to job security, should one fall out of line with the rule of tolerance, are bound to occur as it has year after year.

“No matter what comes through that gate…”

In All of It. Do Not Forget The People.

At the same time, we must consider the human aspect as well. Many people will declare that they are same-sex attracted, bi, trans, or that they fall under any of the letters of the LGBTQIA+ community. Transitioners will be very public about their life and the changes that they are making to their bodies. Deconstructionists and progressive Christians will use conservative Christians attempting to abide by scripture as a proposed “See. This is what we are talking about.”

And at the same time, De-transitioners will be reminded of the the pain that made them change their biological appearance because of the lies they were fed by the trans-moment. They will then remember the struggle that it took to recongrue themselves to their biological sex.

Whats more, believers who struggle with their sexuality will be reminded everywhere they look that they may be “missing out” on something good. People who struggle with their sexuality will be backed into a corner and will be told that they should live their own lives, pursue their own truths, be their true selves, and libertate themselves sexually. They will be asked, “Did God really say…?” over, and over, and over again.

This is where the Church must rally and fight for true love that is shown by Christ. As the Church, we must be careful not to abandon our friends and family who seek to pursue Christ with everything they have and who are also same-sex attracted or are struggling with their sexuality in any sort of way.

How Can the Church Respond to the Cultural Moment?

Do Not Shy Away

The culture that we live in will be continue to push anti-Christian narratives for the rest of time until Jesus comes back. Our job as believers is to be an ambassador. Ambassadors of Christ don’t turn away when the moment gets tough. We accept the reality that what we have to share may not be the most popular idea on the block. As Paul writes, to some what we preach it’s aroma of death, and to others it is life giving. Nonetheless, we should not turn away from the moment but should accept the challenge.

Befriend Non-Believers

Paul spent many hours meeting people who were not believers. He studied their culture, paid attention to their ideas and trains of thought, learned about them, cared for them, and had conversations with them. Sometimes the conversations got dicey. Heck, Jesus dined with sinners and took time to answer challenges from the Pharisees. It is in these moments that we should remember that we are called to always be able to defend the hope we have in Jesus with gentleness and respect. People are not our enemies. Ideas are. Be ready to cast down arguments with grace, care, and tact.

Stand on a Solid Foundation

Jesus famously taught on architecture. Actually, he taught on the importance of building a house on a solid foundation. As we approach the topics of Pride Month, relying on God’s word should be in the forefront of our minds if someone asks why we believe what we do.

Here are passages that discuss God’s ideal for sexuality and fallenness in sexuality: Genesis 2: 22-24, Mark 7: 20-23, 1 Timothy 1: 9-11, Matthew 19: 4-6, Ephesians 5:3, Galatians 5: 19-21, Genesis 1: 28, Mark 10: 6-9, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, Ephesians 5:31, Matthew 5: 27-28, Colossians 3:5, Romans 1:25-28, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-5, Leviticus 18: 1-30.

Please, allow me to be clear. These are not weapons. They all reflect something true about the world that God created. And they aren’t “clobber passages” (sorry Andy.) But understanding how God views sexuality is important. There are many more passages to look at. But this is a start.

God created human sex and sexuality. It was His idea. And so, He sets the perameters for it. To live outside of God’s design that is meant for human flourishing and His glory is destructive… in all walks of life might I add.

Pray

Do you have a co-worker who you know doesn’t know Jesus? Perhaps you can take 5-minutes and pray for them. Spend time in prayer for opportunities to have Gospel conversations sprinkled with salt so that you are able to be a good ambassador for the kingdom. Spend time in prayer for your neighbors, and friends. And pray for your pastors and spiritual leaders. They will be in the fire this month and will need your support, grace, and love.

Do Not Forget the Believer Who Struggles

You know someone who is believer who is struggling with their sexuality. You may not know who it is, but I guarantee you, there is someone in your life who is facing an attraction of some kind. It will be shoved in their face all month long 10 times more than it normally is. If you know them, pray for them. Have coffee with them, love them well, invite them to your home, make sure they know that they not alone. Be careful what you post on online. Take your time in comment sections (guilty of not doing this). If you have to ask “Should I comment this?” the answer is probably “Nope.”

Be gracious, generous, and sacrificial in all things.

Stay Engaged with the Topic

Christians should be well-read. Obviously, spend time in the Word. But also, read books that engage this topic apologetically. Chasing Love by Sean McDowell, Is God Anti-Gay by Sam Alberry, Embodied by Preston Sprinkle, When Harry Became Sally by Ryan Anderson, Correct, Not Politically Correct by Frank Turek, Gay Girl – Good God by Jackie Hill Perry and Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey are all good places to start.

Let’s End with Reflecting on what Agape Love Looks Like

Paul writes this:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” – 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Let us embody this type of love to everyone we see, even our perceived enemies.

“No matter what comes through that gate… You Will Stand Your Ground.” – Gandalf