Osage Bluestem
Puritan Board Junior
I had a conversation earlier today with a homosexual that works where I work. He is living in a homosexual relationship with another man. They have been together for many years and have even bought a house together. He is in his early 50s. This is common kknowledge and not what our conversation was about. No one ever really brings that up with him and he never really discusses it.
During the conversation about other light and general common things, he asked about the ELCA. He knows I am a Christian in a conservative denomination and that my step father in law is an ELCA minister. The thought immediately popped into my mind "this guy wants to have a relationship with Christ but he doesn't want to give up his homosexual lifestyle." I may be wrong, but that's how I took the departure into this topic. So I carefully explained the breakdown of the Lutheran denominations in the US and their German and Skandinavian heritage as best as I know it, actually pointed out a couple of ELCA churches in the area. He took note with seeming interest.
Here is my dilema. I think Homosexuality is a sin and I want to point out to him that he must repent and trust in Christ for his salvation or he is in danger of the fires of hell according to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. That would almost certainly get me fired as a religious extremist, and would probably drive him farther away from pursuing his eternal questions anyway. I do not support the ELCA and generally think they are apostate and in need of radical repentance especially in their view of scripture that is the root of their views of women in ministry and homosexuality. But there was the thought in my mind, "if this guy went to any church and heard the word maybe God would use that as a stepping stone to faith regardless if they were mainline liberals or not, Christ might shine through and the man might be regenerated right there. Maybe God could use the apparently apostate ELCA to bring this gay man to faith in Christ by hearing the word of God read and somewhat preached, maybe he will repent. So, I pointed out to him where there were some ELCA churches and didn't say anyting negetive and just put it in the hands of the Lord, because I desperatly hope and pray that this man finds the Lord and repents of his sin and embraces Him. The conversation ended on a lighthearted friendly note, like usual.
What should I do?
During the conversation about other light and general common things, he asked about the ELCA. He knows I am a Christian in a conservative denomination and that my step father in law is an ELCA minister. The thought immediately popped into my mind "this guy wants to have a relationship with Christ but he doesn't want to give up his homosexual lifestyle." I may be wrong, but that's how I took the departure into this topic. So I carefully explained the breakdown of the Lutheran denominations in the US and their German and Skandinavian heritage as best as I know it, actually pointed out a couple of ELCA churches in the area. He took note with seeming interest.
Here is my dilema. I think Homosexuality is a sin and I want to point out to him that he must repent and trust in Christ for his salvation or he is in danger of the fires of hell according to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. That would almost certainly get me fired as a religious extremist, and would probably drive him farther away from pursuing his eternal questions anyway. I do not support the ELCA and generally think they are apostate and in need of radical repentance especially in their view of scripture that is the root of their views of women in ministry and homosexuality. But there was the thought in my mind, "if this guy went to any church and heard the word maybe God would use that as a stepping stone to faith regardless if they were mainline liberals or not, Christ might shine through and the man might be regenerated right there. Maybe God could use the apparently apostate ELCA to bring this gay man to faith in Christ by hearing the word of God read and somewhat preached, maybe he will repent. So, I pointed out to him where there were some ELCA churches and didn't say anyting negetive and just put it in the hands of the Lord, because I desperatly hope and pray that this man finds the Lord and repents of his sin and embraces Him. The conversation ended on a lighthearted friendly note, like usual.
What should I do?