The message of Christianity is that God loves everyone, whether or not they have ever set foot in a church. The Bible says that God is love. It’s not just something God does, it’s something God is! God cannot hate your gay friend because he loves them.
But what does God think of your gay friend’s sexual activity? Traditionally, the Church has held a conservative view about sex, believing it to be a precious act, reserved solely for life-long marriage between a man and a woman. This has ruled out sex before marriage, as well as homosexual relationships. While differentiating between an inclination and acting upon that feeling, Christians who hold to this view would not approve of a gay relationship (but would, of course, still welcome a gay person into their Christian community and home). Other Christians have moved away from this traditional position, arguing that God affirms and encourages committed gay marriages.
All of us must welcome and support our gay friends but we must also ensure that we look past the labels that are often placed on them. Would your gay friend describe you as their straight friend or would they describe you just as their friend? You and your friend are not defined by your sexuality - nor by anything else for that matter. You are so much more than your grades, your desires, your family background. Our identity does not come from our sexual encounters but from knowing that God loves us. All of us.
God doesn’t look at us and see who we fancy. He looks at us (L,G,B,T,+, or otherwise) and sees one of his precious children who he’s looking forward to hanging out with.
Questions to ask
- Do you think God hates your gay friend? Why?
- What do you think God thinks of you?
- What one word would you use to sum up your identity?
- How could you best support your LGBT+ friend?
- How could your youth group or the Church support them?
For helpful resources, stories and advice visit livingout.org.
For help supporting LGBT young people, check out diversechurch.website.
If you’d like us to answer a particular question, please get in touch, email ycw@premier.org.uk.
