The entirety of my faith is summed up in these five words from the Bible: "Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18). A few verses earlier, we’re told that "God is love" (1 John 4:16). This means that wherever the God who is love is present, fear cannot exist.
Yet, so many churches try to instill fear into queer Christians. They try to convince us that if we embrace who God made us to be, we are also embracing an eternity separated from God.
But the truth is clear: wherever love is present, so is God. This includes both queer love and straight love. Anywhere there is true love, there you will find God.
Conversely, wherever fear is being stoked, God is absent. Those who promote fear in the name of God, according to Scripture, "do not know God." (1 John 4:8).
During this Pride month, it is my prayer that more LGBTQ+ Christians come to embrace the love that God has given them as holy and sacred. May the Spirit continue to open the eyes of those who have embraced a faith rooted in fear, helping them to see the liberation possible when they come to know the God who is Love.
The message of Pride Month remains: Love will always win in the end.
Happy Pride, friends!
Amen
Happy Pride to you Brandon! I found your message very deeply touching!
Susan