As we have opportunity, we should share the message of everlasting life by faith in Christ apart from works (John 3:16; 4:10; 6:28-29; Eph 2:8-9) with everyone, including LGBT people.
But how can we share our faith with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders?
Let’s begin with the wrong way to witness to LGBT people.
First, it is wrong to try to convince them that their lifestyle is sinful. Why? Because the Lord never did that in His evangelism. And because the blood of Christ has removed the sin barrier for all (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2). Sin is not the issue in salvation from eternal condemnation. The issue is that we are spiritually dead and we need everlasting life (John 3:14-18).
Second, telling LGBT people that they must turn from their sinful lifestyle in order to be saved is horribly wrong.i People cannot buy their own salvation. The Lord Jesus paid the full price with His finished work. We can add nothing to what He did on the cross. John 3:16 says nothing about the need to turn from one’s sins in order to have everlasting life.
Third, it is a major distortion of the free gift of God to tell LGBT people that they must commit their lives to Christ and promise to serve Him in order to be saved. The sole issue is faith in Christ for what He promises: everlasting life that can never be lost. The issue is not the future trajectory of our lives.
I think a riddle gives us the answer to the question raised in this blog.
You know how to catch a unique rabbit?
You nique up on it.
You know how you catch a tame rabbit?
The tame way.
You witness to an LGBT person the same way you witness to anybody else.
The message is the same for a homosexual, a pastor, a transgender, a priest, a pope, a lesbian, a nun, an elder, a deacon, a housewife, a bisexual, a lawyer, a murderer, a politician, or a young unmarried man who sleeps around with women. John 3:16 is true for everyone. Whoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ has everlasting life and will never perish. There are no strings attached.
If you or someone you love is in the LGBT community and they are not sure that they have everlasting life simply by faith in Christ, the offer of everlasting life is there. It simply awaits belief in Christ for that gift.
For those who are not yet convinced that John 3:16 is true and that it means what it says, I urge you to pray and ask God to show you whether it is really that simple. Ask Him if it is true that those who simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for everlasting life have that life and are secure forever.
I also encourage you to read a chapter a day of John’s Gospel as you continue to pray for insight. God will show you the truth if you are open and seeking (Matt 7:7-11; Acts 17:27; Heb 11:6).
__________
i. It is true that LGBT lifestyles are contrary to the creation mandate (Gen 1:26-27; 2:24) and to God’s commands (e.g., Rom 1:26-27). However, sinful behavior is not the issue in salvation from eternal condemnation. Turning from one’s sins is vital to extending one’s physical life here on earth (Ezekiel 18). For believers, in order to walk in fellowship with God, we must walk in the light and confess our sins (1 John 1:7, 9). But let’s not confuse fellowship with regeneration. The conditions are different.
