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المؤلف: Willy Torresin de Oliveira
التاريخ: 23.10.2010
Category: الجنسية
Editor’s Note: This Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper has been written by Willy Torresin de Oliveira as an overview of the topic to be discussed at the Multiplex session on “Sexuality: Creation, Brokenness, Truth and Grace.” Responses to this paper through the Lausanne Global Conversation will be fed back to the author and others to help shape their final presentations at the Congress.
How does God redeem and transform people involved in homosexuality? I believe that God does this work of redemption and transformation by calling our attention to the real problem faced by all human beings, by dealing effectively with this real problem, and finally by restoring the true identity of His created human beings. I like to call this approach “the three trees.”
Seeing the Real Problem
First of all, God redeems people involved in homosexuality by helping them to see that homosexual behavior is a symptom of a deeper problem, and not the problem itself. In other words, homosexual behavior or practice is one of the many ways human beings have developed to attempt to find meaning, purpose and identity for their lives. The real issue underneath homosexuality then, is independence from God. This is the original sin that in turn produces all resulting sins, including any attempt to find purpose, meaning or identify apart from our Creator. This search originated when Adam and Eve decided to be God. In that moment they lost their true sense of identity and purpose. This independence generates not only homosexual behavior, but also every other form of sin committed by fallen people. So, every single human being is caught in this dilemma: created for fellowship with the Creator, but now unable to do so. Thus, no longer knowing who we are, we all embark on this journey to try to find meaning on our own. The tragedy is that the search for identity, meaning and purpose outside of God, whether in good or bad things, always leads to the creation of more false identities or selves. This search eventually results in bondage and slavery. Therefore, this original sin is the root cause of all sinful lifestyles, whether pharisaic behavior or blatantly sinful sexual activity. God points to this inner reality and not only to its outward expression. This is extremely important, for our natural tendency is to deal with the symptoms of the problem and not the root causes. This is the first tree: the tree of death – rebellion against God. This is the tree of independence from God and every fruit it produces is a result of such rebellion. It is no use trying to remove the “bad” fruit. It comes back the following season. That is why God provides a way to do away with this tree.
Dealing with the Real Issue
Next, God redeems people involved in homosexual behavior by dealing effectively with the real issue. He does this by what is termed “the Great Exchange” by Bridges and Bevington (1): our sin for his righteousness. Jesus takes upon Himself our sin – the noun here is in the singular, not plural – the original independence from God that produces all other sins (plural), and in exchange He gives us His own righteousness! Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin (singular) of the world! By doing this, Jesus can take us back to a personal, meaningful and vital relationship with our Heavenly Father, which is our true purpose (Colossians 3:10 and John 17:3). We cannot earn this righteousness by our efforts. Jesus acquires this righteousness for us, and the Holy Spirit makes it a reality in our lives in a practical way (Romans 5:5 and 2 Corinthians 3:18). Thus this righteousness I cannot possibly produce becomes mine by the action of the Holy Spirit. Once I am made righteous again, I can come into the presence of the Righteous God and be accepted and received by Him!
A very powerful illustration of this truth is the story of the lamb. Two ewes gave birth to their lambs almost at the same time. However, one of the baby lambs died and one of the ewes also died. So there was a mother sheep without its baby lamb, and a baby lamb without its mother. The hungry orphan tried to approach the mother who had lost her son, but she would not accept him, for she did not recognize him as hers. So the shepherds took some of the blood of the dead lamb, smeared the orphan lamb with it, and brought the blood-covered little orphan to the mother that had lost her own lamb. When she smelled the blood-covered lamb, she recognized the scent of her own baby and accepted the orphan as if it were her own son! This is precisely what happens to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – God detects the precious blood of His own son on that person and only then receives him or her as if that person were Jesus Himself! This is very important, because one does not have to change first in order to be accepted by God; in fact, one cannot do this, for it is impossible! We are accepted by God only if we are also holy, perfect and pure as He Himself is! As sinners this is impossible for us. But the complete work of Jesus on the Cross means that when I come to God covered with the blood of the Lamb, He sees me holy, pure and perfect as His own Son. In fact, He receives me as if I were Jesus Himself! This is the second tree: The Cross of Christ.
Restoring the True Identity
Finally, God transforms people involved in homosexuality by giving them a new identity. This is the new birth. God makes us into a new tree – The True Vine (John 15). In this tree we receive life, meaning, purpose, and identity from Jesus, and in the right season we produce righteous fruit. We are given a new nature and a new name – beloved sons and daughters of God. We are also given a new family – the community of believers where we can help each other grow into maturity. The search for purpose and identity is over! True purpose and identity are restored: We can now resume the adventure of getting to know our heavenly Father, and in the process, becoming more and more like Him! Our goal now is no longer self-fulfillment, but growth into maturity – becoming more and more like Jesus, so we can get to know our Creator completely (Colossians 3:10). And as we grow into emotional and spiritual maturity, we naturally leave behind “childish” things, including our search for identity not only in homosexual behavior, but also in anything else apart from God. This is the third tree: the True Vine.
In conclusion, God redeems us by exchanging our sin for Jesus’ righteousness, by giving us a new nature, a new identity and a new purpose. Instead of independence from God, we become dependent on Him, and this dependence produces true freedom. As we shift our focus from homosexual practices and identity as being our focal problem and begin to look at our desire to take God’s place as the real center of our dilemma, and accept God’s plan to deal with this problem, we discover that IN CHRIST we are made new persons; the past loses its power over us. And when we stop looking for our SELVES outside of God, and instead start focusing on God and His complete work through his Son Jesus on the Cross, we discover who we really are: beloved children of God. This TRUTH sets us free and begins the process of transformation and change in our lives.
© The Lausanne Movement 2010
كلمات مفتاحية: Homosexuality, redeem, transform, tree, fruit, independence, dependence, identity, purpose, meaning, exchange, righteousness, lamb, cross
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تعليقات: 18
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الولايات المتحدة
I sort of have a problem with the idea that a homosexual can just stop being a homosexual when they accept Jesus and their Lord and Savior. True, Jesus is life changing. However, I know of a man who is homosexual and has been a Christian for 12+ years. He claims to not practice homosexuality anymore and hasnt for nearly 10+ years (and I believe him) but he says that his life, feelings and temptations have not really changed. He said that when he feels tempted that he prays to God for strength, but his desires have not fully changed yet. I believe this man will go to Heaven, although his previous life-style and desires have not changed.
10.12.2012
الولايات المتحدة
I am so humbled right now! I feel God speaking
to me as I read this advance paper on God’s work to Redeem and Transform people
involved in Homosexuality. I admit that this topic is very sensitive to my
heart. I have friends and family members who are living in this lifestyle and
some person who I know are trying to live for God now. I can be honest and say
that to me this is hard for many people who struggle with homosexual behavior.
I have seen college friends who struggle with their sexuality. I never once looked
at their struggle as an issue of identity, meaning, or purpose. To be honest, I
looked at their struggle as blatant sin or disobedience to God. I used to say
to myself they know that homosexual behavior is wrong before God. How can they
go to church every Sunday, shout, worship God and then go home behind closed
doors and sin in this way? I struggled with this for a while until I got close
to a friend in college who knew that his lifestyle was wrong before God. He
wanted to change. He prayed for change but still found that he was attracted to
men. He continued to struggle as he
indulged in acts of homosexual behavior. He often would confess his sins to me
and ask me to pray for him. I would pray for him but he still struggled. I
began to see that God was working on me to become more loving and accepting of
person who had struggles just like me. I begin to see that my struggle to love
and forgive my father was no different from this friend who struggled with
homosexuality. If we are to minister to person in this lifestlye we have to frist come to them in a humble manner. We must see our own sins before God. It reminds me the passage in the scripture where their is a woman caught in the very act of adultrey and Jesus tells the crown He who is with out sin Cast the Frist stone. As a born again people we have no right to condem when we oursleve are guilty as charged to our own personal sins.
05.07.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ Nastoshea_Cherea_Jefferson:
I see where you are coming from. I’ve always had a heart for homosexuals, eventhough I knew it was a sin, I struggle with believing that they are going to hell. They struggle more than people know and for a lot Christian homosexuals they really struggle with trying to be obedient when deep down they feel a certain way.
08.07.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ tswood:
Often times many of them cannot and will not be redeem back into the church family because so many Christians are harsh towards people who struggle. I think that once we see our own sins before God it causes us to have a heart for person who struggle with many diffeerent inssues. We can not get so high and might that we forget that God has saved us from somethings as well. We must be willing to say as Jesus says your sins are fogiven go in peace and sin no more. I am not saying that we have the power to forgive sin. What i am saying is that we have the power to help person reach their purpose in God. If we would embrace and love person where they are God can do so much more in their lives.
12.07.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ tswood:
I too struggle with believing that they are going to Hell. For one...who the heck am I to judge? Also...I like to have hope that everyone will make their way to Heaven. I know that probably isn’t realistic...but then again...maybe it is. At least I hope it is.
10.12.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ Nastoshea_Cherea_Jefferson:
Not only can God do so much more in their lives if we show them love, but they will probably be more willing to allow God to work. We are called to show love, and make disciples. Not to force beliefs down peoples throat, especially if we are bashing the thing that they struggle with the most. We have to let them know that we support them, not matter their struggle.
10.12.2012
الولايات المتحدة
I found the article to be informative.I agree with the author that all sin does have a root cause and that cause needs to be dealth with once that happens just like we received Jesus by faith we can receive His righteousness as well. I loved the fact that Jesus took my sin and in exchange gave me His righteousness. I’am so glad we don’t have to clean ourselves up before He receives us. His blood washes us whiter than snow. We are now a new creation old things have passed away and behold all things become new.Yes in Him we have a new nature, purpose and identity.True freedom does come from our dependence on God.
16.03.2011
الولايات المتحدة
@ journey:
Awesome I am also in agreement that most of the sin that we committ has a root cause, and we are often shaped by our upbringings. That is why it is so vital that we yield to God and allow him to transform us. It is good news to know that if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, behold old things are passed away and all things become new. It is so awesome to know that God gives us a fresh start.
Donnie Thurman
04.07.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ journey:
Yes i agree that their is sometimes a reason why we do certain things. I do believe that we are always making discisions in life based on past experinces, as well as present ones and future ones. If many people could be honest they would say that they did do certain things becasue of past. I think that sometimes we are not able to articulate it but its their. I am also humbled because of the love that God has shown me in my life. I dare not try to judge someone because i stand in need of grace everyday. Jesus does clean us up. WE MUST GIVE JESUS TO THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY as well.
12.07.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ Nastoshea_Cherea_Jefferson:
I love what you said about not judging others because we are all in need of grace and mercy on a daily basis. It is sad to hear leaders in the Christian community who are so judgemental. Not only towards homosexuals, but towards many other groups of people. People are people...so what gives one person the right to say what some other person’s fate is?
10.12.2012
الولايات المتحدة
@ DonnieLewisThurman:
You’re right. It is so awesome to know that we have a fresh start in God. To know where some of my friends are currently at...it gives me hope that they can find new life in God.
10.12.2012
الولايات المتحدة
I agree with the idea of the three trees, and I think that all (or most) Christians understand that God wants to redeem individuals and develop personal relationships with them. What I find missing is real information on how to share this information with those who are involved in homosexuality, especially those who believe that God approves of their behavior. Many homosexuals either believe that nothing is wrong, or that their behavior is sanctioned by God because He created them the way they are. The church is ill-equipped to respond to these extremes. Therefore, I think it is important for the church to become better educated regarding the issue and the delicate nature of confronting it. As Christians, we have to learn how to respond in order to convey the Truth to these people who are precious to God, even if they are rejected by His Christians.
20.11.2012
الولايات المتحدة
Sin is selfishness of the heart. When we try to appease ourselves and create either our own identities or identify with the world, we are at the core selfishly taking ourselves away from our Creator. Praise the Lord for grace and hope! I appreciate the three tree analogy. Let us not forget how much we need Jesus.
17.04.2011
الولايات المتحدة
@ abrown13:
I agree, ii is so amazing that I is right in the middle of SIN and I is also right in the middle of PRIDE. When we have our selfish desires we often times yield to the flesh and not depend on the Holy Spirit. When we minimize the Holy Spirit we often times put limitations in our God and in turns we miss out on the blessings of God when we are disobediant.
Donnie Thurman
04.07.2012
أستراليا
We know every Christian commit sin. The Bible says everyone is a sinner. Therefore we can expect a Christian, who was previously involved in homosexuality, to sin. This sin can be homosexual behavior or homosexual fantasies. People get old and become good at hiding their sins, this can be called maturity. Receiving from Jesus meaning, purpose, and identity does not transform a person into a non-sinner. The community of believers and obedience to Jesus can make a person moderate but they still sin.
20.08.2011
الولايات المتحدة
@ JHump:
JHump,
you had a good point when you said that every Christian sins. That’s what the Bible says. However, Scpriture also reads that Jesus is our mediator who forgives our sins as soon as we aske Him to forgive us. I am not saying that the Christian is perfect and vever sins, But, that the Christian was a lost sinner and now he/she is a redeemed sinner by the grace and power of God. Homosexuals can also have the same experience of being forgiven if and when they truly repent and surrender to Jesus by faith. then they will be washed by the blood of the Lamb and will become part of the family of God.
17.10.2011
الولايات المتحدة
@ JHump:
I agree some of our SINS show more than others. Often times as I say time and time again we try and categorize sin. However I am still convinced that SIN is SIN in the eyes of God, and no matter how we try and pretty it up it is still SIN. However we serve a God that forgives us from all our sins if we truly repent. Sincere repentence deserves great rewards, and after all is said and done we serve a God that will still love us regardless of the mess that we come out of and in turn he often gives us a message.
Donnie Thurman
04.07.2012
أستراليا
Jesus does not transform humans into non-sinners. A community of believers cannot transform a human into a non-sinner. On judgment day, Jesus may transform human into like angels. But as long as a person is made of flesh, they will commit sin. I believe a person with uncontrollable homosexual tendencies is predisposed genetically towards homosexual behavior like a heterosexual is predisposed to heterosexual behavior. God does not transform homosexual tendencies into heterosexual tendencies. Jesus does not transform humans into non-sinners; maybe on judgment day he will transform people to be angel like, and thus non-sinners. But I believe that Jesus transforms his chosen people to be more loving towards God and to be more loving, patient, understanding, forgiving, and accepting towards themselves and others. If you are a homosexual you do not have to be a legalist. In other words, do not judge people. Accept yourself, love God and love others. Let Jesus’ love be expressed in you, but you will continue to sin.
20.08.2011
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