Statement on Pride Month

Every June many in our nation celebrate Pride Month.  How should Christians respond?

First, pride is not a good thing.  It is a serious sin.  As Christians we strive to repent of all pride and to put on humility (Rm 12:16).  In humility we admit that we are sinners, that our sin deserves God's wrath, and that we are powerless to save ourselves.  Our only hope for salvation is found in the atonement of Jesus Christ.  We do not boast in anything except in the cross (Gal 6:14).

Second, homosexuality is not something to be celebrated.  The Bible is very clear that it is a sinful behavior.  Those who commit the sin of homosexuality must repent and trust in Christ, or they will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10).  

Third, as Christians we must treat homosexuals with love.  How?  Not by affirming their behavior, but by affirming their worth as fellow image bearers who are loved by God.  We must treat them with the same grace and mercy with which God treats us.  We must speak the truth in love, proclaiming God's forgiveness and the gift of eternal life to all who will repent, and warning them of the judgment to come.  

Fourth, in the church we must welcome homosexuals the same way we welcome all sinners.  The church should be a safe place to hear a dangerous message.  Yet we must remember that our mission is not to make sinners feel comfortable in their sin, but to help them find forgiveness and freedom from sin through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Fifth, if the world hates us for our faith in Christ, then we must understand that it also hated Jesus.  If we were of the world, the world would love us.  But because we are not of the world, the world hates us.  As they persecuted Christ, they will also persecute us (John 15:18-20).