Hi, my names Christopher, I’m 15 and a kind loving soul who tries not to judge others and tries to treat others as a treat my self (golden rule). However I’m gay. I don’t know if homosexuality is bad in God’s eyes and in my own and parents eyes we don’t believe it’s a sin but how do we know that. Do we feel that way about LGBTQ+ just because of social influences or do we just know inside we’re right. I don’t want to go to hell, I really don’t. In fact, I’m terrified of it. I just wish I could talk to God and ask him what is the truth, how do I get to the way of the light. I don’t know. I just need answers and if you can i’ve those to me I thank from the bottom of my heart.
Christopher
Dear Christopher,
I understand that so many things in our lives would be easier if we could just talk to God. However, I think God created us with a free will and a mind so we could experience the fullness of life. I believe God has given us plenty of hints as to what is important to God and our relationship to God.
Take a look at the following scripture:
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love. And don’t take yourself too seriously — take God seriously. — Micah 6:8
When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”
Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.” This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: “Love others as well as you love yourself.” These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them. — Matthew 22:34-40
When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Humanity will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Enter, you who are blessed by my God! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.”
Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, “Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?” Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.” — Matthew 25:31-40
Notice there is nothing in those readings which require a particular sexual orientation or lifestyle to be OK with God.
Further, homosexuality is not a lifestyle. It is rather an orientation of one’s sexuality, it is how you are born. No one chooses to be homosexual nor do they wake up one morning and say, “Gee, what better lifestyle than that of a homosexual?”
I think you mentioned in the beginning of your letter to me that you had a very clear understanding of what it was to be a follower of Christ.
So, my dear child of God, let me ask you, how would there be justice in condemning someone for something they do not choose? Where would be the mercy in denying those same people job protection, health benefits and the ability to marry and covenant with one another?
How is it walking humbly with God to think the world God created has only a binary understanding of sexuality.
You can also see from the reading in the Gospel of Matthew how God is going to decide who is in and out of heaven… and it has nothing to do with one’s sexual orientation. So there is no reason for you to fear hell. God loves you, Christopher, and you are on the right path to serve and love the God who created you wonderfully and uniquely in God’s image!
Thank you for sharing your concern as it is really all about your heart and your soul.
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
Editor-in-Chief of Whosoever and Founding and Senior Pastor of Gentle Spirit Christian Church of Atlanta, Rev. Paul M. Turner (he/him) grew up in suburban Chicago and was ordained by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 1989. He and his husband Bill have lived in metro Atlanta since 1994, have been in a committed partnership since the early 1980s and have been legally married since 2015.