A Christian struggling with same-sex attraction sent me a message earlier this week. He said:
“What can I do to get rid of my homosexual attractions? I put my faith in Christ about 14yrs ago but it hasn’t really changed the way I feel sexually. I’m attracted to women but I’m also plagued by this oppression. I want a wife and children but I’m scared of back-sliding…[I’m] depressed and angry…I’m genuinely considering suicide to end my cycle of pain as I don’t see a way forward.”
I immediately reached out to him and we had an opportunity to talk over the phone. By the grace of God, he said he was encouraged by what I shared with him. Would you please pray that he would remain encouraged? Please pray that he will persevere over his sins. Pray that he would read the Bible and pray more consistently, pray that he would find a more Biblical church, and pray that he would be more hopeful in his saviour so he wouldn’t be tempted to commit suicide.
I’ve been thinking about the conversation all week, especially since today is Good Friday. Good Friday isn’t just a holiday, it’s hope. It’s hope for sinners.
Shortly into our conversation, he said he believed he would lose his salvation. He was afraid he would get rid of his faith, instead of his homosexual sins. It became clear that what he needed most was a reminder of what Jesus achieved on the cross. Since what I said encouraged him, I think I should share what I said with other believers who might be struggling with homosexual attraction or other sins.
If you’re mourning over your sins, that’s a good thing. The Bible says that’s a blessing. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4).” So dear brothers and sisters if you’re mourning over homosexual sin, you’re not cursed. You’re blessed.
Good Friday is for people who mourn over their sins throughout the week. The good news is for bad people. That’s why Jesus said: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).”
Same-sex attraction is unnatural and abominable, but it isn’t the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. So if you’re a genuine Christian, no sin can make you lose your salvation. If you’re a Christian, homosexuality or any other sin cannot separate you from the love of God (Romans 8: 37-39). We Christians will not be condemned for our sins (Romans 8:1). That’s what Good Friday is about.
On the cross, when Jesus said, “It is finished (John 19:30),” he meant it. He didn’t say “It is almost finished” and he didn’t say “It will be finished.” He said, “It is finished.”
So if you’ve repented and believed in Jesus, your justification is finished. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
That means because of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, God has declared you righteous. So despite your sins, you couldn’t be any more righteous. You have the righteousness of God through Christ. Christ has finished giving you his righteousness.
And since he fulfilled his promise to justify us, we can trust that he will fulfill his promise to sanctify us. Jesus didn’t just say “It is finished” on the cross, he also said: “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).”
Jesus didn’t give up on us at any point during his sufferings on the cross, so we can trust that he won’t give up on us at any point during our sufferings with sin.
So if you’re a Christian and you’re struggling with same-sex attraction or any other sin, don’t be discouraged. If you’re repenting and believing in Jesus, Good Friday is a reminder that he who finished the work of your justification will also finish the work of your sanctification.