Is being gay or lesbian a gift from God?

by Sparrow
(Ohio)

Rick Brentlinger Answers -

That's an interesting question. No, I do not view being gay or lesbian as a gift from God in the sense of being a spiritual gift, like those listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-20. I view being gay as just a fact of life, much the way heterosexuals view their opposite sex attraction as just a fact of life.

In a general sense, we could say that being homosexual or heterosexual is a gift from God, much like hair color, mechanical or musical aptitude or good health are gifts from God.

We know that God does everything He does with a purpose. When God causes a gay or lesbian person to be "so born from his mother's womb," Matthew 19:3-12, whether or not we describe that as a gift, it is certainly part of God's plan.

Rejoice in the Lord by Ron Hamilton

God never moves without purpose or plan,
When testing His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD,
though your testing seems long.
In darkness, He giveth a song.

O REJOICE IN THE LORD!
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take!
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead,
So I looked at the cross of my Saviour instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day,
Then peace came, and tears fled away!

Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children, and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging, more fruit I will bear.

Rejoice In The Lord

I cannot view being gay or lesbian as being on par with the spiritual gifts because that does not make sense to me. If being homosexual or heterosexual is a spiritual gift then lost people have at least that spiritual gift. Yet scripture nowhere indicates that God bestows spiritual gifts on folks who are not saved.

I do believe that being gay has given me more empathetic insight than many heterosexuals have when dealing with those who are outcast and oppressed for things over which they have no control.

At some point in the past, I have probably spoken of being gay or lesbian as a gift from God but again, in the more general sense of gifts, not in the specific sense of gay or lesbian orientation being a Biblical spiritual gift.

All of our experiences, whether we are homosexual or heterosexual, are intended to inform our intellect and make us better, not bitter. As Christians who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we are special in God's eyes because of our personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Being "in Christ," is what makes us special, not being gay or straight, homosexual or heterosexual. And our salvation in Jesus Christ IS "the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." -Romans 6:23

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -2 Corinthians 5:17

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" -Ephesians 1:3

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" -Ephesians 2:6

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." -Ephesians 2:10

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." -Ephesians 2:13

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:28

God saves gays but does He want them to stay gay?

Is there any evidence of an actual gay marriage in the Bible?

Is gay marriage scriptural?

Have you experienced the power of a mother's love?

Did you know eternal security is a gift from God?

Original Question:

"Pastor Rick, I have heard and occasionally read the perspectives of true, God-fearing Christian gay men and women speak of both the "curse" of our unique path (i.e., the lonely life it can be, of which we're well aware), but also, the "gift" of it....

Some have come full-circle to view their homosexual orientation as a gift from God -- to have been afforded a unique and rarefied perspective on life is something that they could never have had with a set of "straight" eyes.

My question: have you yourself ever viewed your orientation as a special gift from God -- a rare vision that has broadened you and more fully completed your journey on this planet? Or, is it to you indeed no more a rarefied "gift" than having a certain color of hair or eyes?"