Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

If you are paying attention to what is happening in the culture around us, it would be hard not to notice the level of degradation and depravity that we are currently seeing. What used to hidden in the shadows are now out in the open and they are affecting every aspect of society. From the gender confusion movement, to the prominence of homosexuality, to the widespread use of pornography. Everywhere we go, this sort of immorality is difficult to get away from especially as a Christian. Day after day churches are pressured by the culture to affirm this type of immorality, and day after day churches cave to the pressure. Individual Christians are also caving to this pressure to avoid being seen as “divisive” and “hateful”. The pressure against Christians regarding our stance on sexuality is becoming increasingly more intense and some are having a hard time figuring out to respond properly and biblically to this while avoiding the harsh push back. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid the conflict, however there are two ways that we as christians correctly respond that not only can bring people to Christ, but also glorifies God.

Regarding the culture more broadly, one way we can respond is by fearlessly and unapologetically speaking the truth in love. Scripture is supremely clear on what God says about sexuality. We are created either male or female (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4) and that marriage is between a man and a woman only (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5). Everything outside of those boundaries like adultery, homosexuality, premarital sex, for example are all sinful in eyes of God (Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 18:22, Matthew 5:27-28). However, saying this stuff can land us in world of trouble with family, with friends, with school, with work. The truth is incredibly divisive to the unbelieving world and wants to anything it can to crush it. This is why it can be rather frightening to speak the truth. However, the good news is that we do not have to rely on our own strength and courage to speak these truths. If we had to rely on our strength when it comes to Biblical truth, we would stumble. However, God through the power of the Holy Spirit gives us the strength and courage to speak and share His truth. And when we look to Christ and rely on Him with all things, then we can surely withstand any attacks that come against us for speaking the truth. The world will call us hateful bigots, but with Christ, none of that matters. Speaking the truth to the broader culture is extremely crucial, but this also applies to individual groups of people. However, there is one crucial thing we must do.

When speaking to the broader culture or individuals, you should always speak the truth about those issues, but you also must share the Gospel. Sharing the truth and the Gospel go hand and hand as one always leads to the other. Sharing the Gospel should be the priority in any circumstance like this. Not just because it’s the truth, but also because it has the power to change. From conception, we are all dead in our sins deserving of God’s holy wrath and judgement. However, in His mercy, God made a way through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ so that we may be able to repent of our sins and turn to Christ and surrender to Him. When this happens, our sins are forgiven and we are seen as righteous in the eyes of God. This is the Gospel. It is the good news of hope God’s elect. God chose who He was going to save before the foundation of the earth and predestined them to adoption as sons and daughters of God. This is why we share this message, it is a message of hope. When we share the Gospel, God uses that message to draw whom He wills to Himself. No matter what you have done, no matter if you are a practicing homosexual, an adulter, or whatever, if you repent of your sins and believe in Christ, you will be saved. That’s what Paul talking about in the opening passage of the article, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. He listed out sins that keep you out of the Kingdom of God but then in verse 11 says “such were some of you”. This means that there followers of Christ who committed every single one of those sins but yet was saved when they repented. So, no matter how sinful you are, there is still hope for you. If God can save a wretched sinner like me, He certainly save someone who is a homosexual, an adulter, etc.

This battle we face as christians is not an easy one. We will make enemies, we will face challenges, but it is all worth it. It worth it because we know at the end of all things, evil, sin, pain, suffering, and even death will be gone. Those things will not exist in the new heavens and the new earth where we will spend an eternity in the presence of our God. So Christian, I beg you, do not fear the world. Ask God to liberate you and the Church from this fear and remember to live is Christ and to die is gain.