Dear Fellow Brother or Sister in Christ,
This is a long letter, so you might want to get yourself a cup of coffee, water, and go to the bathroom before you sit down to read it.
Hi, I’m Kimberly Taylor and I’m an ex-fornicator.
There, I said it. It doesn’t matter what other roles I fulfill in life; I am writing this message as an ex-fornicator who was saved by the grace of God.
Before I state what I believe about gay marriage legalization in the United States, I want to be open about where I was. In that way, you will know that I am not writing this from a “high and mighty” attitude.
I am writing this from a position of humility, in full knowledge of the goodness of God, where I was, and from where God has brought me.
Many Christians are lamenting the Supreme Court’s ruling about homosexual marriage in the U.S. While I don’t agree with the ruling either, I planned to keep my feelings about the issue private originally.
But that changed after discovering that a Christian acquaintance wrote on social media that they were pleased with the ruling. They didn’t explain why and they didn’t have to – after all, their opinion is their right.
However, I do want to go on record as to why I believe what I believe about homosexual marriage. I am writing this to those who declare Jesus as their personal Savior and may not know or are confused about what the Bible says on this issue.
We are exhorted to tell the truth in love and that is what I’m striving to do. My viewpoint on this issue stems from the Believer’s relationship with God and His three major roles in our lives: He is our Father, our Judge, and our King.
How you see this issue is linked intimately to how you see God’s role in your life.
Please understand that I am not trying to convince anyone to feel as I do. I will let God’s word speak for itself. As the old saying goes, “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”
If necessary, we can agree to disagree and go forth in love.
God as Our Father
I said the prayer of Salvation to accept Jesus as my Savior back in 1992. But I did not change for nearly 10 years. Although I went to church during that time, I didn’t read the Bible and nor have any personal relationship with God during the week.
However God ended up changing my life starting in 2001. I went to a Christian women’s conference and it was there I experienced God’s love and His desire for me to know Him personally. I never knew that, even though I called myself a Christian for nearly 10 years!
Back then, feelings of abandonment, unworthiness, and unresolved anger haunted me. I also had a boyfriend with whom I was having sex. Fornication, remember?
But once I knew how much God loved me, I had a hunger to know “Who is this God?” So I started reading the Bible, beginning with the book of John. I saw God in action in the person of Jesus Christ. I felt God speaking to me through the Bible.
As I came to know God, I realized that He desired the best for me. Like any good Father, He made it clear in His word what was good for me and what was not.
God as my Father said in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20:
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
God gave me a new identity as His precious daughter. Before that, I saw myself as an illegitimate daughter whose Earthly father did not love nor want her.
But as God’s daughter, I saw that I was made for more than that for which what I was settling. This scripture tells me:
• Sexual immorality hurts my body and emotions ultimately
• My body does not belong to me but to God
• My body has a high purpose as use for God’s glory
Once I saw myself through God’s eyes, then I could no longer accept the substandard relationship I had with my boyfriend. I knew that what I was doing was against my Father’s wishes.
So I broke up with my boyfriend. It was not easy. But since I believe God created my body too, then I figured He must know something about how it works that I do not know!
My Father did not want me causing harm to myself. Above all, I believe He wanted to protect my heart so that He could teach me what real love is. Because I believed in God’s word, I was willing to stop fornicating.
I never had another sexual relationship with anyone until I joined with my husband in Holy Matrimony nearly 10 years later. Yes, the wait was longer than I wanted, but it was worth it!
On our wedding day, we fulfilled God’s view of marriage:
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (Genesis 2:24-25).”
We continue to operate our marriage according to Biblical principle:
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:33).”
I believe that God wants His best for all of His children according to His word and is grieved when we choose to settle for and sanction lifestyles that harm others.
God as Our Judge
Hebrews 4:13 tells me that someday we will all give account to God for what we have done in these Earthly bodies:
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
In Jeremiah 9:23-24, the Lord gives us important information about what He is like:
Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.'”
While you see that the Lord delights in exercising lovingkindness, He is also a God of judgment and righteousness. Think of a natural judge. Doesn’t a judge have standards by which he judges?
A judge is not going to judge based on what the plaintiff nor the defendant see as right in their own eyes. That is going to vary almost as much as the number of eyes!
Rather, the judge is going to deliver judgment based on what is written in the law. I believe the Lord’s law is written in His word, the Bible. If He judged based on individual opinion, then we could declare Him unjust, prone to partiality. But He is not. He always judges righteously.
When someone engages in a practice that goes against God’s word and a Christian says something about it, they might be told: “You are judging me.” Actually, no they are not because they have no power to judge. Think about this:
You are driving on the Interstate. The posted speed is 70 miles per hour. You are driving the speed limit, but you spot a friend of yours zooming by at 100 miles per hour. Then let’s say that you meet with that friend later.
You tell that friend they should slow down their speed because you don’t want them to get a ticket, end up in jail, or dead. You are not a judge, so you have no power whatsoever to issue a penalty. However, you do warn the friend about what is written because you are concerned about their life and you know that there is going to be a penalty for violating what is written.
Your friend might say that you hate them, that you are narrow-minded, that you are intolerant, or that you are a “Speedophobic.”
While none of that is true, it is a risk you should be willing to take as a caring friend. You are just informing them about what is written. As adults, they have the right to choose whether to heed your warning or not.
So regarding the homosexual marriage issue, I give my dissenting viewpoint because I believe that God as my Judge has already written down His ruling on the issue:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Did you get that? This message is actually written to those who declare Jesus as their Savior. Actually, this message was for me because in addition to other sins, it names “fornication” as one. And the truth is that there are far more fornicators than homosexuals in the typical church.
Thankfully, if you find yourself in sin then God wants to get you out! A promise is found in 1 John 1:9:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Take God at His word. Humble yourself, ask for His help in prayer, and do what He tells you to do. It may not be easy, but you will have confidence that it is right.
People always say “The truth shall set you free” but have no idea of what truth is. Jesus defined it in John 8:31-32:
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Abiding means “living in.” Jesus Himself is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him (see John 14:6). He said it and I agree with Him! Living according to God’s Word makes you free from sin’s bondage.
If you believe that God has power to forgive you of sin through salvation, don’t you believe that He has power to deliver you from sin through His grace?
God as Our King
One of the saddest statements in the Bible is found in Judges 21:25 and I believe it describes the Spiritual condition of this country today:
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
In those days, the Israelites did not have a king to set policy over them. So each person did whatever they felt like doing. But for those of us who name the name of Christ, we do have a King to set policy over us!
I have already stated what God’s definition is of marriage in Genesis 2:24-25. Because I see God as my King, then I must oppose any man-made definition that contradicts His. I take this scripture as a warning:
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23)!'”
To me, what distinguishes a Christ disciple from one who has said the prayer of salvation only is this: The former is one who has said the prayer of salvation, but also wants to learn about and obey the written Word of God. A disciple follows a path of instruction and is submitted to Jesus, not led by what is right in his own eyes.
Jesus Himself said the following in Luke 6:46-49:
But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Because I see God as my King, then His word is final authority in my life.
In summary, I oppose the legalization of homosexual marriage because it opposes God’s word. I do not fear homosexuals, which “phobic” means in the word “homophobic.” “Phobic” means “fear.” Think of an agoraphobic, a person who fears going outside or an arachnophobic, one who fears spiders.
A Christian has no need to fear speaking God’s truth:
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).’”
I do not hate homosexuals. Just because I disagree with someone’s lifestyle does not mean that I hate them. God does not hate them either. He knows each of their journeys more intimately than I ever could. He knows where they came from and where they are going – just like he does an ex-fornicator like me!
God changed my life through the power of His word. And His desire is that we share the change that we found in Jesus with others, including those who are living the homosexual lifestyle. Jesus died so that they might come to salvation too – and freedom.
We must share our faith in a spirit of love and humility. Scripture never said that others would know that we belong to Jesus by how many Christian songs we know or how many Bible verses we can quote.
John 13:35 gives us our strategy:
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Sometimes love means telling those whom you love what they do not want to hear. You parents out there probably know this better than anyone!
I have decided I am going to keep on standing on God’s word. It hasn’t failed me and I know it never will. I will not be silent about nor sanction lifestyles that I believe destroy people. As a fellow disciple of Christ, I hope you come to the same conclusion.
Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
takebackyourtemple.com
God bless you Sister Kim. Well said and I received it. fornication is what I did also. I would try to talk to my mother about it. But I felt like she had her own issues. Feeling rejected hurts, so I’d cover up my feelings or stuff them because I didn’t know what to do with them. Last night my prayer was Lord help me to face what is this turmoil in my life. I ask the Lord to help me face it and He did through you. So thank you. And reading today’s message reminded me of what I needed to do. Praise God He gave me a man that accepted me being pregnant, we got married and 47 years later . I thank God for turning me around amen. I stand in agreement with the word of God
Amen, Renee! Our Lord is about restoration, not condemnation. His goal is always to draw us closer to Him. He loves us to life! ❤
Miss Kimberly, I’m so proud of you for standing on the Rock. As an older woman I am appalled and saddened by the lies being told our children today. Our local high school recently had a 2-day “Gender Fluidity Conference.” Young people are confused and concerned about the lies they are being fed, often by their own parents! Your article was very well-considered and based on the One TRUTH. Maybe it’s timely to re-post it?
Thank you for the courage to post this Kimberly! I agree wholeheartedly with everything you stated. We just have to continue to pray for this world and the people of this world.
Kim, so well written and respectfully as well.
You look absolutely beautiful in your wedding picture!
Thank you for all you do!
In my opinion your honesty can make people relate to you even more. ❤️
Thanks so much, Mary. I think it helps all of us when we can take our masks off and just be real as we strive to walk worthy of our calling in Christ. I appreciate your compliments on my wedding picture – it was the happiest day of my life. Mike and I can testify that doing things God’s way works!
Thank you for posting this writting.May God bless you.
You are welcome – may God bless you!
First a word of encouragement. I believe that in writing what you did you have allowed God to enter an area of your heart which has nothing to do with the subject or content but is everything to do with fear and now you have submitted it to God in doing what you did. I am humbled by your obedience.
Secondly, oh how I wish that my Christian brothers and sisters would frame their opinions/interpretations and beliefs in such a loving way. I live in England and I am so tired of the unloving/dismissive/manipulative/sarcastic/underhand/unkind etc etc way this issue is being discussed and debated. Thank you for writing what you did and I pray it is received by ALL in the spirit it was intended. God bless you.
Thanks Kirsty – I appreciate your words! I think it really comes down to remembering how far God has brought us. The story of the woman with the alabaster box who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50) applies here. In that story, Jesus said that those who have been forgiven much will love much. I think that Christians can address these issues with love and compassion only to the degree that we remember how much God has forgiven us!
Many thanks for speaking the truth in love. You exemplified the love of Christ. We must speak the truth regardless of how unpopular it is. There is a consequence for every sin – whether it is lieing, adultery, fornicating, homosexuality; whatever it is. The consequence is death. When we disobey God, our maker, who made his laws based on what is right and good for us, we put ourselves in the way of death. Think about using a machine in a way that is contrary to the manufacturer’s manual – you end up damaging the machine and cutting short its life. That is the way it is with us humans. When we choose to live our lives outside our manufacturer’s manual i.e. God’s wisdom and law as written in the bible, we cut short our lives – literally or figuratively. God bless you Kimberly
Thank you so much as HG said “no one could have done a better job than what you have done. I too am an ex-fornicator and so many other ex’s. I thank God that he allowed me the grace to live through these sins and have time and wisdom to repent. Your letter is good for the sinner and the saint. It has brought a lot of things to the forefront for me. Thank you for having the courage to say what needed to be said. May God richly bless you and your family” That is my story too. I thank God for the sweet, humble but truthful way you addressed this subject. So many of us, get a little loud, and at time not lovingly on this subject. I being one of those-usually my tirades are directed at home at the t.v. I pray that I can remember your words and how much better they for they are the words of God. I am so glad you followed God’s prompting and shared it with us
Kimberly no one could have done a better job than what you have done. I too am an ex-fornicator and so many other ex’s. I thank God that he allowed me the grace to live through these sins and have time and wisdom to repent. Your letter is good for the sinner and the saint. It has brought a lot of things to the forefront for me. Thank you for having the courage to say what needed to be said. May God richly bless you and your family.
One thing I cannot understand is why are people homosexual? Why would approximately 10 percent of the human species be gay if this was a wrong way to be? In my understanding homosexual people are born this way. I have heard of young people who have taken their own life because they realized they were gay and feared public disapproval. My other concern though is why do gay people want a traditional man -woman marriage? My solution would be a ” union” which was recognized by the law so that gay couples got next of kin rights, property etcetera.
“Marriage” would be between a man and woman and a “union” could between homosexual couples. I think life for gay people must be difficult.
Hi Sharon
I’d like to respond to one of your questions. You asked why are so many people gay if it is the wrong way to be? I believe this is a spiritual question. My response will not make any sense to anyone that is not a disciple of Jesus.
Really, the root of homosexuality is the same as the root of all other sin – disobedience to God’s instruction. It is the same reason so many people can be dishonest/immoral etc or do anything else that is wrong. I think homosexuality is more complicated because some people genuinely believe they are born gay.
However, if we stand with the foundational scripture in the bible that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made – then we understand that all things made by God is good. However we know that not all things turn out to be as good as the bible says they should be. The truth is that we live in a fallen world. The bible says this world is controlled by demonic forces and powers (Eph 6:12 onwards). The bible says the whole world lies in wickedness. We have an enemy in satan that is bent on destroying God’s creation.
As such, satan and demonic forces can manipulate people, things and situations. I believe people are manipulated by demons to think they are born gay. As a girl, having a preference for boyish things or wanting to dress as a tom boy should not make me think I’m gay. That’s just a preference. But satanic manipulation coupled with society’s incorrect interpretation leads people to start thinking along certain lines. Before long that thinking is established. My heart goes out to anyone that is in this position as it is a painful situation to be in. To believe a lie that you are born gay. God does not create anyone to be homosexual. I believe anyone that cries out genuinely to God for his help will receive it – seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you is what the bible says. Whoever wants to be delivered from a lie that prays to God for deliverance and begins to get support and walk in the path of deliverance will eventually be delivered. We can only be delivered from satanic manipulations by prayer and faith in God. Noting else. Absolutely noting else will work.
Christians should always and always remain loving and supportive. We must create an environment of genuine love that no gay person should feel suicidal as a consequence of our words or actions. We cannot force people to be who we want them to be. All we are called to do is love and pray. I want to create an environment around me where every gay person knows they are genuinely loved by me even though their lifestyle is contrary to my beliefs and God’s best for them.
Hi Sharon – Your love, care, and concern is obvious. I too have compassion for gay people. I agree with Olori’s beautiful response. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But here is how I have reconciled your question in my own mind:
I don’t believe God is the author of confusion (see 1 Corinthians 14:33). He wants to make it easy for lost people to find Him. It would put homosexual people in a hopeless situation to have God create them to be homosexual, but at the same time, tell them it is wrong to go that way in the Bible.
God does not put people in hopeless situations. In the Bible, Jesus is called the hope of glory. So each person, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can become everything God created them to become according to His word. That is the best hope of all!
I also consider the way God designed men and women physically. God designed a man and woman to become one flesh with one other physically in marriage. But consider what must happen for a man to become one flesh with another man or a woman to become one flesh with another woman physically in a homosexual relationship. That is confusion.
I know this is not true in every case, but I have a young male relative who was molested by an older boy repeatedly. Now he is questioning his sexuality. Did you know that the rate of homosexual men having suffered childhood sexual molestation is much higher than that of heterosexual men? Here is an article with insight about that: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/study-homosexuality-linked-with-childhood-trauma. Our society suppresses studies like this though.
We all know that there are men who have feminine ways and women who have more masculine qualities. But that is a different issue than deciding because that is your personality, that means you must have sexual relations with the same sex.
I strive to have care and concern for all people. At the same time, I have decided not to support what the Bible says is a destructive lifestyle. As Believers, we are called to be light AND salt in our culture. Salt changes the taste of food. It is not something added so that the food stays exactly the same as it was before the salt was added. Otherwise, why would you need salt? God created His people not to blend in with the culture but to stand out.
Once again, I don’t pretend to understand everything. But I do follow the guidance in Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
I am a simple person. If I don’t understand something, then I go to God’s word and align my thoughts with His. I use that as my compass. I do that because I believe that someday, I will stand before the Lord to give account for my life. He is not going to ask me why I did not follow the culture; he will hold me accountable for following His word.
Hi Sharon – I was just flipping through the television channels and on right now is an interview from a woman named Janet Boynes who God changed from the inside out and delivered her from the lesbian lifestyle:
https://www.god.tv/andrew-wommack-ministries/video/gospel-truth/janet-boynes-testimony-part-1
Here is the written version of her testimony: https://news.awmi.net/home/2015/9/28/gods-great-do-over-part-1.html
These are all interesting comments. I think as long as we can discuss these issues we are halfway there. On a personal note, I myself am not gay and although far from perfect, I have always tried hard to keep the word of Jesus. One of the main things I love about Jesus is how inclusive and non violent he was/is. We live in challenging times. <3
Agree. The times are changing, but the good news is that God’s word doesn’t change. In the end, it’s all about Jesus, the living word of God.
Praise the Lord for you Kimberly and your strength to speak the Word of God when so many are afraid due to judgment and condemnation from others. (If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31) However we can always stand upon His word as the one that never disappoints and never fails us and His word is our eternal portion. The Lord is such a faithful God that we always can just stand upon His truth and not be fearful of whatever situations come upon us even if those situations turn out to be others judging us or criticizing us. (if you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19) Thank you for your portion of Christ! Keep speaking forth the word of God and keep enjoying Him as the all inclusive God who faithfully calls you and does it. (1 thes 5:24)
I appreciate this word, Elizabeth – this word has strengthened my heart and made me more determined to stay bold!
Thanks Kim!
Even secret sexual sin can affect our whole lives. We think no one knows, especially in the Church.
I asked the Lord’s forgiveness for my sin of fornicating with my husband before marriage.
Yes, he was the only one I ever had sex with, but I knew every time I was even about to have sex I felt ill.
I was quite young, and thought my now husband was a savior or sorts. My natural father had little contact with me, and my stepfather was controlled by my mother.
Actually, God tried to break up the relationship way before I married him. Years later, I have found out that he had not only broken our marriage vows, but has been unfaithful the entire time we were together.
I say this to bring up an issue of Christian women or Christian women committing ADULTERY who are Believers in the Church.
I had the painful experience of confronting two so called single Christians, one who had an affair with my husband, and the other who took money to help cover it up!!
My husband was lost at the time, and they could have stopped this.
One of them is washing her hands because she told him to tell his wife, but took money to help him cover for the other Christian!
When I tried to speak with the main fornicator, she was unrepentant and and rubbed the affair in my face. He dumped her and came back to me after getting saved, and she is bitter I think.
My husband is working with a minister on his childhood trauma that he used to commit sexual sin all these years.
I am seeking Christian counsel on my own.
Ladies, I know you are lonely, you see a married man, and you know he has a wife and kids, HOW CAN YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN AND CAUSE A RIFT IN SOMEONE’S LIFE?
Kim, this is no joke. The Church needs to speak to people.
I am beyond devastated.
Wow. Just wow, Tu – what a horrible thing to happen to you. It is unfortunate, but many of God’s people are more concerned about sins that show. They figure as long as nobody knows about it, somehow their sin is less grievous. But they forget that there is no sin we commit that the Lord does not see. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Unless these women repent and allow God to change their hearts, a reaping is coming and it won’t be pretty. I am glad that your husband is getting the help he needs.
Pray for them so that your heart will not become bitter. Bitterness of heart will only poison you. I am praying for your healing and restoration.
You have been faithful to our Lord, which is why He trusted you with His wisdom. I will be signing up for your full leadership on-line. May you and yours be Blessed!
Thanks Ruth – looking forward to you joining us!
“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me”
Kimberly, Your word were gentle, but truthful. To warn sinners of the wrath to come, now that is love.
That very song came into my mind as I was re-reading this today Suzie. Amazing grace indeed!
Thank God for His word,it always sets us free…..if we let it. Your testimony is powerful. The days are coming that each child of God will have to stand on their testimony before the mockers of this world. Jesus said so when He told Hisdisciples that if the world hated Him it will hate us too .your testimony showed strength, it is powerful and that is because you stay in the Word of God……so must we all. Thank you for sharing your studies in the Bible they help strengthen us. We love you Kim and Mike , blessing on your lives and ministry.
Thank you, Sherry – I agree with your words. We’ve got to take our study and meditation in God’s word seriously. Mike and I love you too and pray for you all everyday. Please keep us in prayer too because we want to hear those treasured words from the Lord: “Well done thy good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” It’s going to be so awesome to meet you at the Lamb’s supper of life!
I really like the analogy you used regarding “driving on the Interstate” and being referred to as a “Speedophobic”. It really puts things into perspective. We are certainly living in shifting times, I sense that the days of doing business as usual have come to an end. We need to be prepared to defend our faith.
Thanks.
So very true, Kim! We need to get in the word, believe it, and obey it so that our faith will remain strong during these times of shaking!
Well said! Praise be to Jesus!
Thanks Susanna – glory to God for the opportunity!
GOD BLESS you Kimbey for your truthfulness and transparency! I too was delivered from fornication and am grateful for it…now! God is so wonderful and good to us that the more I grow in the knowledge of who He is the more I want my lifestyle to reflect Him. Thank you for the reminder that sin is sin whether its fornication, homosexuality, adultry, or any number of sins. Jesus is Lord and I love Him! Keep up this good work for the Kingdom.
Thank you Kim, for having the strength to stand on the word of God and state your convictions based on that word. Thank you also for the courage and humility to be transparent.
Thanks so much Teri and Julia – like the old saying goes, “There but for the grace of God go I.” He saved me and He can save anyone who will humble themselves and come to Him. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. So we much have courage to tell our testimony because no one can argue with that!
Kimberly,
This is soooo well said! Convicting on all levels as well as humble.
Teri
Please forget that first sentence in my post. Apparently I misspelled a word and my spell checker kicked out another word. I meant to say,” I am so glad you wrote you article with love instead of judgement like most Christians.
So glad that you posted this with love. There are sooooo many “Christians” are so against homosexuals that they won’t even pray for them. (My preacher wouldn’t even pray for a gay relative of mine). God ended up taking him out of 2 pulpits. Jesus died on the cross for ALL sinners including the gays. As it days in 1 Corininthians it says, “and such were some of you.” Meaning some of those Christians had been gay before conversion. Most preachers act like that isn’t in their Bible. I wish all Christians had your attitude and love. Keep doing what God wants you to do. God’s word will not return to Him void. Praise God…..
My heart grieves with you regarding the unloving response of some who profess Christ. How easily we forget where we were and how Jesus saved us! God does not judge sin based upon a bell curve. We all need a Savior and I will continue to pray that laborers be sent into the harvest of souls. God wants all who will come to Him through Jesus. He can meet each person where they are – just like He did with us!
Through you, The Holy Spirit has convicted me. Thank you for your courage and revealing through Scripture His Truth. Praise God for His loving correction through His Grace and Word. I, too, love my brothers and sisters, whatever they wrestle with. But, will stand on God’s Word! I am praying with all of you on this. In Jesus’s Precious Name.
I appreciate your prayers Christine. We need those to be able to stand strong until the end!
I am always challenged and blessed by your bible studies. This lesson was well said in a humble spirit of love. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. Beautifully put wrapped in Gods love and grace
Speaking the Truth in love…excellent post!
Thanks Pastor Beverly, Shannon, and Mary – I give all glory to God!
Thank you! Excellent! From a heart of mercy….
I came across your website some years back and I have been reading your emails. However this one has touched me beyond words! Thank you for sharing your story, it is a lot like mine! We can’t be silent or ashamed of our Journey with God! This has forever changed my heart! God is so good and He deserves all the glory!
I love you!
Rebecca
Thanks for taking time to post, Rebecca – we must support one another so we can finish this race strong. Love you back!
Thank you for speaking truth with grace and mercy.
Thank you for your support, Selena!
Thank you Kimberly, for such a wonderful and powerful word from God. I normally do not write comments but what you have written concerning being obedient to the word of and deliverance through the word of God I felt that I needed to reply. There is not one word that can be added or taken away from all that God has lead you to say. Reading your testimony and how you allowed the word of God to transform your life has once again put fire and desire in my heart to continue on until God blesses me with the man of God that he has for me. Thank you for standing on the word of God and for your belief that he can transform your life if you allow him to. May God richly bless you.
You are a woman of courage! Thank you for “stepping out” of your comfort zone. God’s word is the truth and it needs to be spoken.
Well stated. Truth presented boldly, balanced with grace.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I appreciate the confirmation, Charla!
Thanks for your honesty. Your opinion was given in love and humility. The way Christ would have delivered it. Christians do need to take a stand on issusues such this and we need to remember where God has brought us from as well.
I sooo agree with you! I am a Christian and feel we Christians accept one sin as not being as bad as another (fornication/adultery not as serious as homosexuality). However with Jesus, sin is sin! My daughter who also claims to know Jesus agrees with your friend. She thought it was wonderful that homosexuals were allowed to marry. I thought how sad this was, it actually grieved my spirit. No deviant sexual behavior is EVER acceptable to my God. I think our perceptions often reflect our relationship with Abba. He is a Holy God and if we do not live holy, we will not see Him. Thank you for having the guts to says what needed to be said! God bless!
I totally agree with you because you agree with God’s Word And your words which are God’s Word is the truth and it has again set me free just by reading your story thank you for your transparency by the way you guys look really great you and your husband thank you Jesus may no weapon formed against you and your husband may prosper in Jesus name
Thanks Martina and Michael! I know there is blessing bundled in God’s word. I believe His word is true and His ways are right. That is why I have decided to trust in it and build my life on it. Keep us in your prayers that we will stand strong until the end. We pray for the TBYT community every day!
I am a single mother raising a 15 year old son who is questioning his own sexuality. He was raised in a Christian home and attended private Christian school. He knows the truth of God’s Word – the pull of this world is so strong and he is constantly bombarded with this widely accepted view of tolerance. He does not know his own earthly father, I have not remarried and so his desire for a male in his life pulls him to seek out male relationships ending in unhealthy ways. Christians, we need to keep an open dialogue about this sin of homosexuality and not be quieted. Thank you Kimberly for your outspoken convictions on this subject and know this sister also named Kimberly, thanks Jesus for your letting your light so shine.