I'm not a guy. But Im going to answer this. You should be nice to everyone. But if thier lifestyle is going to tempt you or make you fall then no. You should not be around them. You can be friends, I guess it depends on how strong you are.
I know for me personally. I cannot hang out with a gay person for to long. I lived that lifestyle for a while, because of being hurt to much by men.
It is very easy for me to be reminded of that sin in my life. So I have to stay away from those kinds of people. I will be nice to them, give them kind words. But I cannot be alone with them.
I hope that is understanding to you.
Also I want to make this statement. Being gay is a sin. But I don't think people dig deep down to understand while people chose this lifestyle.
Sometimes I go to this group for christians that have same sex attractions. They are trying to get out of the lifestyle, some of them are married.
My point is, almost all of them have daddy issues. Daddy wasn't there emotionally or physically for them. Or was abusive. And alot of them were sexually abused as a child.
There are many things that can make a person question thier sexuality. And with all the openess about it now adays, its going to be more in your face.
We must show kindness to these people. And not judge them for thier sins, but teach the truth to them. Ask them questions. IN a nice way.
Instead of us being the scary "your gonna burn in hell" christians that gay people make fun of.
I have been on both sides of it.
So just be nice to them, try to teach them truth, and try not to judge. But if at ever its going to cause you to fall, then you must step back.
Friends, yes. Best friends, no. If I'm going to have a best friend, I need someone who is going to push me and encourage me spiritually, take me to the Bible when he sees me falling into sin, and share time in prayer. I don't see that happening with someone who is openly living in sin.
I'm not a guy, but I'm also going to answer. Yes I would be friends, but not best friends, for the same reasons that Tulip gave. However, I do not believe we should shun them, because their sin is no worse than mine or yours. We should hate the sin, yes, but love the sinner.
Temporarily, if not a better person to have a best friend was around, then yes. But typically one wants someone who is like them to be their best friend, and if we are Christians, then that would be less likely to be a homosexual.
But honestly, there are probably homosexuals who understand and love people (the way God wants us to) better than some Christians do. Some people who call themselves Christians are rather unpleasant folks, and do more damage to the Kingdom of God than some non-Christians do. So I would rather have a non-Christian as a friend who recognized God's ways even if he/she didn't realize that those ways were from God, than have a friend who claimed (or perhaps somehow was) a Christian but was very judgmental and made people's lives miserable.
I'll just tell you what I think, from my personal experience.
Society right now often looks at Christians as conservative, self-righteous, stuck-up... I know that's how some people view me if I'm outside of a church environment or with nonbelievers. People have been hurt by religion sometimes, and alot of the homosexuals are probably wondering "Can I or should I or would I even want to be friends with a Christian?" I believe we should show them God's love.
As far as homosexuality, I know if it were right for one person then it would be right for everyone, so therefore it can't be right, or in one generation people may become extinct.
About sins, and how we should interact with people who we feel are not living the way God intended, I often think of that verse... Matthew 25:36 �I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.� And they asked him, (25:39-40) �When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!� Who is in prison generally speaking? Often the people who are in prison are people who have done wrong, people who have made mistakes, or people who have sinned. It wasn�t a coincidence that Jesus said �I was in prison and you visited me�, he could have said any other place. But he was stressing that regardless of people and their mistakes, when we are there for them, we�re actually being there for the Lord.
A few years ago in Taiwan I had a friend who was a homosexual. I�ve also had friends who are Buddhist, and atheist. And I realize that my friendship towards them has little to do with their sins, but has everything to do with my love for the Lord.
Of course, my suggestion or advice to anyone who would reach out to a person who is homosexual is, be spiritually stronger in the spirit than them. When you meet someone for the first time, you basically have a connection, and you can basically tell if you respect them, or who�s who and where you are in the pecking-order, or food chain. Its a lot like that in the spirit, I believe. And if you are strong enough and are entering a friendship with them to pull them up and not getting dragged down then power to you! If they are dragging you down, then I believe you should stop the friendship and pray for them.
This is what I firmly believe, always let them know that the Lord truly loves them. We try and play good cop/bad cop with Jesus and God. �God�s really gonna punish you!� and �Jesus saves and forgives�. I think, yes, both are correct, but the persona of God is not to be used as a tool to try to scare people into heaven or condemn people into change. The times I�ve changed, in my life, were when God changed me! And having the love and support from others really helped�their opinions really didn�t. So God can totally work in their life and change them, he may even be using you. But don�t try and change them yourself, I feel, because people are so allergic to getting blamed or dumped on. My friend who was a homosexual later became a Christian, and that was one of the happiest days in my life. I�m not in contact with that friend any more, but I know God�s got his number and is working in his life. Thank God, God is God and we are not.
I have alot of grammar mistakes, I'm sure. Hope I made some sense. :)
I would tell you,as a security officer,it's hard to ignore them,especially working mostly at hotels,to tell you the truth.We should'nt behave like we're "judging" or even "scorn" them.
The last place I had worked at have a homosexual who was involved in a scandal.Even though I cringe at times of the thought of that comes in mind,I never said anything disrespectful to him,but rather "good morning/evening" & "how are you" like I do with any other person.
When word got out that I was a Christian around almost the whole entire hotel,he still talked the same way like anyone & I'M SURE that he knows about it because almost the whole staff used to talk to me about the Bible & Christian values.Man,how I miss those days!
Another thing too,I've learned also that most of the time not all homosexuals ARE homosexuals & some guys out there likes to be friends with them because they have most friends for girls than straight guys!:excited::laugh:
This topic really interested me ... as I'm involved somewhat in this very situation.
I've recently met a guy where I work who is openly gay. For a few weeks I was helping him as he gave a respiratory treatment to one of our kids in a private therapy room. During that short time, he began to really open up to me and talk about his life. His parents are both Christians and he struggled with "coming out" to them. I've experienced a strong sense of the pain that he's in. Now, that child no longer needs treatment and I've been seeking the Lord as to just how to possibly continue our talks; as those private conversations can't take place in a work environment. How can I make the transition to being able to talk to him outside of work ... so that God may continue to use me in this guy's life?
No, I'm not trying to be his "best friend"- but to develop a friendship with him would be a really great opportunity to share the Lord. :)
