Now, I’m not saying you should act on every gluttonous, lustful, greedy, etc. thought that comes into your head. I do believe we are called to have some restraint. However, I have overcome this negative outlook by adopting a more Christ-like approach to discernment and I’ll break down for you in a sec.

But I’ll back up a bit to paint a fuller picture of the conversation that sparked this post. The context of this conversation was a discussion on if desiring love as a gay christian is sinful and if gay Christians are forced to receive the “gift of celibacy.”

This conversation broke me.

How many people are still living under the influence of the leaders they so vulnerably turn to for help and guidance, only to receive definitive answers steeped in bias and perpetuating stigma?

Side note: I am 100% in support of the choice of celibacy made between an individual and God. This post is addressing the oppression of queer people in the church who are truly seeking God, yet told they must adhere to celibacy to abstain from sin.

How Do We Approach Discernment?

We ought to start with the Bible, but be careful not to worship the Bible itself, right? For Jesus said “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Luke 4:8). And it’s Jesus who gives life, not scripture (John 5:39-40). And it’s Jesus’ life we should model our own after (1 Peter 2:21).

So I’m looking at the Bible with a Jesus-centered hermeneutic, reading through the lens of Christ’s love and character and looking for theology that is inclusive of everyone-from the least of these to the tax collectors.

This approach seems, to me at least, to be the Biblical way to interpret the Bible. Jesus rarely used scripture to teach, preach, or witness. He mostly used it for challenging the religious teachers and leaders of his time. Let’s keep this in mind as we break down what we know, what we’re promised, and the examples Jesus gave us.

What Does the Bible Say?

To sort this out we need to better understand the covenants (promises) of God for us.

We used to have the law that was established between God and the Israelites to set up a way of living that would set God’s people apart from others (Old Testament times). This was the original covenant and basically outlined how to find favor in God’s eyes and receive salvation. These laws would later become the source of many arguments between religious leaders and there are lots of stories in the Bible about how they got it wrong.

But then God promised us a new covenant was coming in Jeremiah 31:
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

Jesus established this covenant at The Last Supper (Matthew 26:28) and promised the fulfillment of the new covenant is coming, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised…” (Luke 24:49).

Which we see is fulfilled in Acts 2. And we get today’s modern gospel message: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

So, we (some say Christians, some say repentant Jesus followers) know that God and the Holy Spirit are more than just at work in our minds and our hearts, they are filling our minds and our hearts completely.

And then we read things like

• “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18)
• “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)
• Paul’s explanation of “disputable matters” in Romans 14
• And that no matter how wide, deep, long, high we think Christ’s love might be, it actually surpasses our knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19)

And we allow our pastors to limit us in love? Come on.

Ask questions when you don’t understand. Speak up when something feels off. That tug inside is HOLY.

We must compare every sermon and every morsel of advice from other Christians (professional and laypeople) with the values exemplified by Jesus:

• Love – The greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37–39; John 13:34–35)
• Compassion – Moved by others’ suffering (Matthew 9:36; Mark 1:41)
• Forgiveness – Offered freely and often (Luke 7:47–48; Matthew 6:14–15)
• Humility – Valued servanthood over power (Matthew 23:11–12; John 13:14–15)
• Justice – Stood up for the marginalized and oppressed (Luke 4:18–19; Matthew 23:23)
• Mercy – Prioritized mercy over rigid law (Matthew 9:13; Luke 6:36)
• Inclusion – Welcomed outcasts, sinners, women, Gentiles (Luke 15:1–2; John 4:7–9)
• Peacemaking – Blessed the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
• Truth – Spoke truth to power and taught with integrity (John 8:32; Matthew 23)
• Faithfulness – Called for trust in God and spiritual devotion (Luke 18:1–8)

This is how we are called to read the Bible and live our lives.

Confidence in Discernment

If you know God. If you worship God. If you live like Jesus. If you love like Jesus. Then you know your heart and mind are completely full of the power of the Holy Spirit. More so than you can possibly comprehend (​​Ephesians 3:18-19).

You have been equipped by God to discern your own heart. Seriously.

A Complete Faith

Asking questions, praying, weighing your heart is all part of the process. But the next step is walking in the faith that God is guiding you, has prepared your path, and will keep you no matter what.

Now, that’s not to say we may lead ourselves astray sometimes. But we know that God’s promises remain, that Jesus’ examples are still valid, and that our faith is bigger than any misstep we may take. On top of that, our siblings in Christ who maintain the values mentioned above will help us get back on track.

Your Takeaway

The Bible is important. We need to have a full picture of God’s story. We need to see how the law of the Old Testament was stretched and reshaped to be welcoming to all. And we need to be careful about getting caught up in the details because the Bible says it’s Biblical to put Jesus above the Word.

That small voice inside, your conscience, your ethics, what have you. It’s the Spirit working in you, aligning your life with Jesus. And God has promised you can trust it.

So on the topic same-sex-attracted Christians being able to pursue a committed relationship/love in this world, I believe that pursuit can be blessed by God. And I don’t believe there is an argument that only a portion of believers are allowed to love.

Do you practice a Jesus-centered hermeneutic?

Be well,
David

P.S. Would you take a sec to subscribe on YouTube

Leviticus 18