Peacemaking with Sexually Broken

Scripture: Romans 2:1 (NRSV)

2 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Meditation:

            I want to talk today about peacemaking and sexual brokenness. Not just about homosexuality although all that I say will likely be judged by that standard. As David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw write in their new book Prodigal Christianity “Among Christians in North America, the issue of same-sex sexual relations has become the test case for what kind of Christian a person is. “Are you an evangelical who hates gays?” one side asks. “You must be a progressive who stands for nothing,” the other side responds. No matter what position you take, you are immediately shoved into one of these two groups and ostracized by the other. We talk past each other. And we fail many times to respond to those who are sexually broken.

            Those who are sexually abused frequently suffer in silence and shame regarding their experiences. A recent hearing of a subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee of the Senate revealed that each year 19000+ soldiers are sexually assaulted each year. The most surprising revelation is that the breakdown was 10000+ men and 9000+ women. Men are most likely to be abused and least likely to report that abuse. Why is the church silent on this subject as it is on many subjects relating to sex?

            I think the main reason is fear. We don’t know what to say so we don’t say anything. But this is a conversation that needs to be had. We cannot heal wounds if we deny that they exist. We will never understand those whose sexual orientations or gender identities are different from ours if we refuse to sit down in good faith and discuss those issues.

            The text from Romans cited above comes directly after Paul condemns homosexuality. I have used it to remind us that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus for those who believe in him. My brokenness may not be the same as someone else, but I do not have the right or permission to judge. The church is not a safe place today to have discussions around any sexual issue. Jesus did not die on a cross so that his people would be judgmental, hateful, people.

            David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw offer a different approach the church could take in their aforementioned book.  “The two of us see the need for the church to create local places where we gather to discern the kingdom. Here, we sit together and get to know each another, listen to each other, and submit to each other in Christ. In groups with as few as three or four people or as many as twenty, we learn to tell our stories, uncover our pains, reveal our motivations, submit all things to the cross, and allow the gifts of the Spirit to work among us as we listen together to the scriptures. The layers of sin, oppression, victimization, and anger slowly get peeled away. We practice kingdom prayer, confession, forgiveness, communion (via the Lord’s Table), the fivefold gifts, and being with those who are hurting. In these ways, we open a clearing for Christ’s power to break in.”

            Sexuality is far too important a part of our lives to be submerged because of fear and mistrust. The church must find a way to open her doors to those who are sexually broken and those whose sexuality is not the same as ours. Right now the church because of her attitudes is standing on the margins unable to offer the healing and understanding that we should be able to offer as witnesses to and disciples of Christ. I pray we decide to change soon before any more people become victims of a sexually broken world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ we ask you to break into our sexually broken world with your healing love. Where there is distrust and fear sow trust and love. Where there is misunderstanding sow understanding and where there is hatred sow love. Help us to be peacemakers in all areas of human life. Amen