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Q. Everybody feels intensely about the subject of homosexuality. How should Christians respond?

A. The New Testament views all departures from the norm of marital union as equal. Those who applaud the message of Romans 1 against Gentile immorality must listen to the thundering message of Romans 2: "You who pass judgment on someone else … are condemning yourself, because you … do the same things" (1-2a).

This shoe fits everyone who reacts with disgust at a broadcast of a gay rights demonstration and then turns the channel to stare uncritically at adultery in a drama or trivialization of sex in a sitcom. We all sin in the area of sexuality. Many confuse sexuality with self-fulfillment, seeking thrills from new partners or practices. Others accumulate guilt from addictions to private fantasies and practices. In terms of quantity, the sins of homosexuals are a speck in the eye next to the log of heterosexual sin. Neither is excusable; nor is looking for a speck without noticing the log.

So what should our stance be?

Humble honesty. We're free to express our convictions to homosexual sinners only if we openly admit our personal sexual struggles and address an equal or greater exhortation to heterosexual sinners. God offers to each of us forgiveness and the power to be restored (see 1 Peter 5:10). This is the hope which "we who have fled for refuge" have "as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:18-19 RSV). People who picture themselves as soggy sailors clinging to overturned boats won't treat their fellow flotsam with contempt.

Thomas E. Schmidt teaches at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Adapted from Straight and Narrow? (InterVarsity, 1995).

NOTE: For your convenience, Straight and Narrow? is available in the ChristianityToday.com Shopping Channel.

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Prayer for the Week

God, I need Your help to understand myself and others. Help me to believe You are always loving, always accepting of all sinners, even me.

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