One of my favorite things about Houghton College and part of the reason that I can confidently call this place home is that everyone here has a voice. From the students to the faculty and staff, you will hear a variety of opinions on race, gender, religion, sexuality and other issues being expressed freely and with care. I value the fact that even though most of us agree on central truths like the goodness of God and the power of His unfailing love, we still have differences on other, more debatable topics. These differences help us to grow and to serve God in a better, more fulfilling way. I am so glad that we have a community that welcomes diverse opinions, and I think we have done a decent job of representing both the conservative and liberal views of same-sex attraction, homosexuality, gay marriage, and everything else that is under the “LGBT umbrella”. However, there is one voice that I think this conversation has been lacking: mine.

I am a Bible-believing, born again Christian, who also happens to have same-sex attractions. I believe that God has called me to a life free of the bondage of sin, and as a Christian, I believe that this includes a life free of the bondage of homosexuality. Considering my struggle, some may view this as either a self-righteous rant, or a self-condemning plea. Others may believe that I have been pressured by a church, a pastor, or my overzealous Christian peers. Brothers and sisters, please understand that I’m simply speaking out of faith.

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus says, “If anyone should come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” To deny oneself is to reject one’s own desires and take up the desires of God. The moment our own desires become more important to us than the desires of God, we fall into a trap of entitlement and self-justification. The issue of denying one’s own sexual attractions is a rather controversial one. Many in the LGBT community see an inequality in the way we view the denial of self for heterosexual Christians versus those who have same-sex attractions. I would agree that there is a general feeling that people with same-sex attractions should deny their sinful nature more than someone struggling with a different type of sin. However, regardless of the inequalities that exist, narrow still is the way that leads to life. I fight this fight every single day of my life, and it is in no way easy. But, when I think of the suffering that Christ endured on the cross to take away my sin, it makes every moment of struggle worth it.

Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” It is tempting to say that no one understands my struggle, so they have no right to judge me if I am to pursue a gay lifestyle. However, Hebrews clearly says that Christ Himself has been tempted in every way, just as we have been, and yet He overcame it all. Do I believe that homosexuality was the main temptation in the life of Jesus? No. But, I do believe that if He has been tempted with every sin known to man, He must have also in some way, struggled with same-sex attractions. This gives me strength.