As Christians, we should extend God’s gospel to everyone.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

When I was helping out with an evangelistic campaign at uni I met David*, a member of UQ’s student group for LGBT+ students. Soon after meeting David, his group held a picnic in the great court and David invited me to come along. This was a rare invite so I took up the opportunity to be welcomed into their community for a few hours. I felt very uncomfortable that lunch.

Some of the people there were very different to what I considered normal, and conversation often touched on things I’d never talk about. Most of all I felt like I was a bit of a target being introduced as David’s friend from the Christian student group and knowing that I had very different views than them on sex, romantic relationships, and even intimacy.

I was asked many questions. I tried to be wise, honest and probably too diplomatic and in the end it was fine. I’ll never really know what they thought of me or what if any difference I made.

What stuck with me most from the experience was when one member, Jane*, asked me: “What type of Christian are you?” At the time, I thought the question was a polite way of asking if I was the kind of Christian that affirmed her beliefs as a queer person. Now I wonder if her question was really asking if I was the kind of Christian that accepted her. The answer to that last question should be ‘Yes’.

As Paul writes, only those who come to know Jesus, trust him and through his help come to obey him will inherit the kingdom. I’ve been sexually immoral, an idolater, a thief, greedy, a slanderer and a swindler. And just like Jane and David, my only hope is to be washed of my guilt and shame, made more like Jesus, and deemed acceptable in God’s sight in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. That is the beautiful message of God’s gospel and it is for everyone.

*Names in this story have been changed.

Head: As Christians our role is not to condemn, but to patiently show God’s love, acceptance, and therefore his gospel, to the people he has put in our lives. Are there people that you have been unwilling to show God’s love and acceptance to for no reason, apart from that they’re different?

Heart: Are you willing to be uncomfortable in order to accept LGBTIQA+ people and show God’s love to them as they are?

Hands: What would it look like for you to accept LGBTIQA+ people and show God’s love to them as they are?

Prayer: Father, thank you that you have shown love and acceptance to people who reject you and rebel against your ways. Thank you that we can be washed, made like you and seen as worthy to be welcomed into your presence because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection from the dead, and his spirit which you freely give to us. Help us to show the same love you showed to us to all people in our lives for your sake.

A song to listen to: This Is Love

Javan Wood- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- South Bank