Questions about sexual identity and the LGBTQ community aren't just theological debates—they're deeply personal issues that involve real people with real stories. These questions arise in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and even in our hearts.

Many of us find ourselves caught in the tension between compassion and conviction, wondering what Jesus would actually say and do regarding these matters. Some claim Jesus never addressed homosexuality, while others suggest you can't care about both the Bible and gay people. Neither of these extremes feels complete.

Let's pause and listen to what Jesus actually says, rather than what culture or tradition might tell us.

Jesus affirms God's created design for marriage and sexuality. In Matthew 19:4-6, when asked about marriage, Jesus didn't provide a list of what was wrong—He painted a picture of what was right:

"Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Jesus pointed back to God's original design: one man and one woman joined together in the covenant of one flesh. This isn't just a cultural reference—it's a creation reality.

Did Jesus Directly Address Same-Sex Relationships?
Some argue that Jesus never directly mentioned same-sex relationships, suggesting He must not have cared about the issue. However, silence doesn't equal approval. By clearly defining what marriage is, Jesus also clarified what it is not.

Jesus' definition makes it clear that other types of relationships—including same-sex partnerships, casual encounters, living together without marriage, or open relationships—fall outside God's design. This isn't about depriving us but protecting us and guiding us toward life.

Think of it like road signs. You don't need a sign for every dangerous turn—you need one clear sign pointing the way. Jesus gives us not just boundaries but purpose.

How Does Jesus Respond to Those Who Don't Fit This Design?
What about people who don't fit that design? What if I've already crossed lines or feel deeply at odds with Jesus' teaching?

Let's be honest—every single one of us has desires, thoughts, and patterns that don't align with God's ways. Does Jesus reject us? Does He push us away? No. He meets us with both grace and truth, calling us into something greater—an abundant life rooted in truth and given by grace.

Does Jesus Love Everyone Regardless of Their Sexuality?
Jesus loves all people but calls all people to surrender. In John 8, Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders want to stone her according to the law, but Jesus responds:

"Let the one without sin be the first to throw a stone."
One by one, the accusers drop their stones and leave. Jesus asks her, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she whispers.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus says. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Jesus protects her dignity in the face of public shaming, refusing to let her be treated as less than. But notice—He doesn't redefine her actions as okay. He calls her to leave her life of sin.

Whether we're talking about adultery, stealing, lying, or same-sex relationships, the truth remains the same: Jesus dropped the stones, but He did not drop the standard. This is the tension we bear—Jesus shows us that true love never abandons truth.

Too often, the church gets this wrong. Instead of pulling people out of darkness, we shame them into darkness. As Matt Chandler said, "The gospel bids us to come into the light. It doesn't shame us into the darkness."

Jesus wants all people to come into the light. He didn't come to condemn but to call us back to Himself and into freedom. But freedom in Jesus isn't about doing whatever we want—it's about discovering who we are in Him.

Jesus defines identity not by our desires but by discipleship. In Luke 9:23, He says:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me."

Jesus doesn't just call us to believe in Him—He calls us to follow Him. In doing so, He gives us a new identity: disciple. Gay, straight, single, married—all are invited, but the path is the same for everyone. Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Him.

Am I Defined by My Sexuality or My Struggles?
This isn't about behavioral modification—it's about identity transformation. In Christ, your identity is no longer defined by how you feel or what you've done. It's not your desires that define you—it's your discipleship.

That's why we don't add labels to our identity in Jesus. You are not a "lying Christian," or a "drinking Christian," or a "gay Christian." You are simply and powerfully a Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:6 reminds us: "For we know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our body, ruled by sin, might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."
You are more than your sexuality, more than your struggle, more than your story. You are not the sum of your temptations. You are defined by the Savior you follow.

This isn't just a Sunday topic—it's a Tuesday topic. It shows up in real conversations, real struggles, and real questions:

• If you're sitting across from a friend or family member who is part of the LGBTQ community, don't make them a project—make them a friend. Be present, pray for wisdom, and offer grace and truth.
• When your kids come home with questions from school, teach not only what Jesus said but how He said it—with both grace and truth, compassion and conviction.
• If you have old wounds from church experiences, remember: the church may have failed you, but Jesus has not. His truth still heals. His grace still holds.
• When you wrestle with sin, following Jesus often means surrendering what feels natural for what is supernatural. Remember, you're not alone in the struggle.

This week, I challenge you to wrestle honestly with Jesus' words. Walk humbly in obedience and love people without losing the truth. Trust that following Jesus, no matter the cost, is always worth it.

When Jesus spoke about truth and grace in love, not everyone accepted it. The rich young ruler heard the invitation of a lifetime and walked away. In John 6, many followers turned their backs when Jesus called for deeper discipleship.

But hear this: Jesus isn't here to condemn you—He's here to invite you. His truth isn't meant to push you away but to draw you near. If you're wrestling with these issues, you're not wrestling alone.

Ask yourself:

• Am I willing to trust Jesus with my whole life, even the parts I don't understand?
• How can I show both grace and truth in my relationships with others?
• What identity am I clinging to that I need to surrender to follow Jesus more fully?