PRIDE Month: A Time of Lament for the Body of Christ

As the world celebrates PRIDE month, beginning June 1, it can be a truly challenging time for Christians. I know that this is true for me. I love people regardless of our differences and uniqueness and I cling to the view that everyone is created in God’s image. Therefore, everyone is worthy of love, dignity, and respect. Even when we disagree.

As a Christian, PRIDE month is a challenging time for me because the world trashes holiness by celebrating what God considers sin.

Yet, as is true every day, PRIDE month affords an opportunity to reflect on how we can embody the love and compassion of Christ in our interactions with others, especially those living as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The world celebrates what the world celebrates. I don’t expect an unbelieving people to live a life of belief. However, believers are now also condoning lifestyles that go against God’s teachings. Correction: not only are believers condoning them, they are CELEBRATING them.

God’s definition of holiness hasn’t changed. What was once holy is still holy. What was sin then, remains sin now.

The Bible teaches us that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. While we hold firm to our biblical convictions regarding sexual ethics (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), we are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). This can be difficult when you feel conflicted. After all, am I not myself a sinner? I struggle with lust, anger, and envy.

While the world continues to change their definition of holiness, remember God doesn’t change His.

You don’t have to live according to God’s word if you choose not to do so. You are free to choose what you do with your life. Again, if you don’t believe in God, I’m not expecting you to live like you do. That would be hypocritical.

However, to profess faith in Christ, yet live apart from God’s holy word IS hypocrisy. Furthermore, to preach a message promoting the LGBTQ + lifestyle as holy and something God approves of is blasphemy. To ordain it from the pulpit, or as a collective of believers, is heresy.

As I stated earlier—I fall short of God’s holy standard every day.

Convicted of my trespasses and shortcomings, I confess them and ask the Holy Spirit to continue to mold me into Christlikeness. This is something I strive to daily.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

I don’t celebrate my shortcomings, sin, or trespasses. I mourn them. I grieve them. I lament them.

That said, while I lament PRIDE month, I want to engage in conversations that are full of grace and truth (Colossians 4:6), building others up with my words (Ephesians 4:29). I encourage each of us to do so. Be winsome, not hurtful or abusive. I pray our actions and words reflect the love of Christ, fostering understanding and compassion during this month and beyond.

As the world observes and celebrates PRIDE month, I find that it is indeed a challenging time for many Christians—or at least it should be. I get that not celebrating PRIDE month cuts against the grain. I understand that lamenting unholiness won’t win any popularity contests. Afterall, it’s not news that there are many challenges in keeping a biblical worldview while living in an increasingly unbiblical world.

During this time, I am reminded of the importance of seeking wisdom and discernment from God (James 1:5) and staying rooted in the teachings of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

We are called to love one another as Christ has loved us (John 13:34).

This means showing empathy, understanding, and compassion to all people, even when our beliefs differ. ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15).

In all things, we must lean on God for guidance and strength (Philippians 4:6) as we seek to reflect the love of Christ in our interactions with others.

As we navigate this challenging time as Christians seeking to win a lost world to Christ, let our hearts remain full of love, keep our minds rooted in truth, and let our spirits be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Love is love. Lying isn’t loving.

As the world celebrates PRIDE, as Christians, may we lament a world that is lost and in need of a Savior. May our words and our actions draw people closer to a holy God, seeking to be redeemed in His image, through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit.

Amen?

Amen.

As a Christian, how will you respond to PRIDE month?

Praying for us.

You are loved.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™