Maximus Decimus said:
Since reading this thread, an idea has formed in my mind.. and I wonder what other's opinion is.
Could it be possible, or even likely that, People in this world who say they are 'attracted to others of the same sex', or more often.. 'are not attreacted to those of the opposite sex, so therefore must be gay' could really, given a TRUE faith in God and a closeness to the Holy Spirit... actually be those given the 'gift' of singlesness as Paul would describe it?
I know it seems an odd thought.. but our Lord does work in ways beyond our understanding.
Maybe these unfortunate people that don't understand their sexuality are confused simply for the fact that they were designed by God to be selibate and devoted solely and powerfully to serving Him rather than themselves or each other.
Having read both this thread and the other thread asking the question ‘Homosexuality - is there a cure?’ , Brother Maximus Decimus’ forgoing post spoke to my heart and being an evangelist myself reaching (not exclusively) to the homosexual and pagan community, I have sought Lord and feel constrained as follows.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and
lifteth the needy out of the dunghill. (Ps 113:7 KJV)
We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way,
no matter who we are or what we have done. (Romans 3:22 NLT)
Brother Maximus Decimus’ post brought to my mind one of the many accounts of what God can and is still doing. The following account (one of many) is a true story of which I have first hand knowledge and to which there is living witness. The parties therein are alive and personally known to me. I have permission to reproduce, however their names have been substituted for fairly obvious reasons.
Babu was a teenage male pagan idol worshiper and a male prostitue. With his whole family he was deeply involved in alcoholism, drugs, sexual immorality , violence and crime. Babu was encouraged by his family not to go to school but instead , by any means, to obtain money to feed his and his families wickedness.
One evening Babu, as was his custom, approached an older man and offered his young body in exchange for money. The older single man, Brian - a practicing homosexual, accepted the offer. However, a relationship developed and no money exchanged hands. The two developed a very close and loving bond. It was as though Babu had found the father he craved and Brian had found the son he craved. With Brians help, love and encouragement Babu abandoned his wicked family and turned from his bad ways of drugs and alcohol. After a a short time both gave up the homosexual practice in their relationship but continued to bond more closely.
Babu got a job and became self-sufficient and after a year or so met an older woman and 'fell in love' but all she really wanted was the security of his well-earned cash and was a bad influence on him and lead him into crime again. He finished up serving a longish prison sentence. At this point God put His Mighty Hand on
Brians (yes, Brians) life and he became a celibate born again Believer receiving a massive Holy Spirit Baptism, turned from his wicked ways and turned to God. The change was phenomenal!
Now, as a Christian, Brian visited Babu prison and for the first time as a Christian. Brian earnestly wept and prayed before The Lord for his young friend Babu. Until the next visit a month later Brian continued in earnest prayer for his young friend. At the next visit Babu was different something had changed. He relayed to Brian, how during the night in his prison cell at about 3am he was awoken; his prison cell was filled with light. As he gazed into the light he saw a man and fell before Him in awe and repentance. He knew Jesus had come to him at the time of his greatest need and not being aware of his friends fervent prayers for him.
On release from prison, Babu got a good job. The bond between Babu and Brian strengthened but this time in The Lord. They became brothers in Christ. Babu received the joy of the Lord at Brians water baptism.
Babu married a lovely wife and Brian was his best man and a witness. Babu and his wife have been blessed with wonderful healthy children the older ones now being teenagers. Babu’s own mother and father died tragically from alcohol, his mother in a drunken state in her own vomit and his father of cirrhosis of the liver. Brian has taken over as the welcomed and loved, father, grandfather and father-in-law to the whole family.
God marvellously used this whole evil situation to manifest His Glory and Power over evil and turn it to good. What would have been an entire family - and their future offspring - of pagan idol worshipers are now followers and worshipers of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "Men meant it for evil, but God meant it for good, that many should be saved" (Joseph).
But the story does not end there. During the time of Babus's incarceration Brian attended a Christian meeting. The lady speaker related how she had a prayer partner; they both had sons, both named Brian. Both sons had been leading wicked lives. The lady speaker went on to say that after over twenty years of praying together for their sons, her prayer partners son had been wonderfully and miraculously saved only a few months previously and turned from his evil ways. To Brians utter amazement it transpired the lady speakers prayer partner was none other than his own elderly widowed mother.
We give Him all the Glory in Jesus’ precious name.
Your brother in Jesus Christ
David
