Reflecting on “Pride Month”

There is a new seasonal greeting in our culture. We’ve moved past “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year.” Over the past month, I’ve encountered many smiling friends and retailers greeting me with “Happy Pride.”

I have a conflicted relationship with the month of June. Early on, I had a very “us vs them” mentality when it came to people in the LGBT community. I admitted that we were all sinners and that my heterosexual sins were on the same level as homosexual ones. Despite that, gay people were completely “other.” While I had one or two close, gay friends, their lifestyle and culture were alien to me. I just didn’t get it.

Over the past few years, that “us vs them” barrier eroded. I grew to love many people in Seattle’s LGBT community. It was just “us”, people, all of whom needed to equally repent and believe the good news. Honestly, I enjoyed that space. I felt like my self-righteousness was withering and that grace was blooming. I still held a Biblical view of marriage and sexuality, but did so while also living out the Gospel.

Lately, it felt like things shifted. Last year, the Washington Post ran an article “Yes, king belongs at Pride. And I want my kids to see it.” This year, they marched shouting, “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children.” I could fill this email with links to events where children are forced to witness nudity and immorality. I tried to keep up with it, but it can be overwhelming.

The question that remains is “What are followers of Jesus supposed to do?”

What’s helped me recently is to use this cultural chaos to dig more deeply into my true identity. One of the reasons Pride Month is so desperately celebrated is that people are dying for identity. They want to define who they are and be affirmed in that identity. People will use categories from race, gender, politics, economics, or sexual proclivities.

It is tempting for me to grab these types of identities as well, stating “I’m NOT X, but I am Y”.

Our identity is deeper than that. Better. Safer. Your identity is in Jesus. Because of Him, you are more loved and more accepted than you could ever imagine.

The following is from “Freedom in Christ Ministries” and has served as a helpful reminder during the harder parts of life.

Who I Am In Christ

In Christ, I am accepted …

John 1:12 — I am God’s child.

John 15:15 — As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 — I have been justified.

1 Corinthians 6:17 — I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 12:27 — I am a member of Christ’s body.

Ephesians 1:3-8 — I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.

Colossians 1:13-14 — I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

Colossians 2:9-10 — I am complete in Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-16 — I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

In Christ, I am secure …

Romans 8:1-2 — I am free from condemnation.

Romans 8:28 — I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.

Romans 8:31-39 — I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 — I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.

Colossians 3:1-4 — I am hidden with Christ in God.

Philippians 1:6 — I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.

Philippians 3:20 — I am a citizen of heaven.

2 Timothy 1:7 — I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

1 John 5:18 — I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

In Christ, I am significant …

John 15:5 — I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine and a channel of His life.

John 15:16 — I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.

1 Corinthians 3:16 — I am God’s temple.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 — I am a minister of reconciliation for God.

Ephesians 2:6 — I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.

Ephesians 2:10 — I am God’s workmanship.

Ephesians 3:12 — I may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

With You;
Pastor Tim