Sexuality and Gender

Introduction

Cru exists to help fulfill the Great Commission by winning, building and sending in the power of the Holy Spirit and by helping the body of Christ do evangelism and discipleship. We believe the gospel is good news for every community of people. We pray and labor toward the restoration of all nations to God through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

As we introduce people to Jesus, we encounter questions related to what the Bible teaches about sexuality and gender, including but not limited to same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria. These questions are complex and personal. As followers of Jesus, we want our relationships to be marked by grace and truth (Eph 4:15), free both from condemnation and condoning sin. Our ability to extend grace flows from experiencing the grace God has extended to us as sinners (Eph 3:14-19; 4:32-5:2) as well as the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 4:31). Therefore, we seek to be faithful to the Bible’s vision of sexuality and gender and compassionate to those who struggle to understand or embrace that vision. In doing so, we imitate the Lord Jesus who was full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14). 

Biblical Teaching about Human Sexuality

What follows is a summary of the Bible’s teaching regarding sexuality and gender. This summary broadly follows the storyline of the Bible: creation, fall, redemption and new creation.

Male and Female

God created humanity, in his image, as male and female (Gen 1:27; 5:1b–2). The male/female distinction represents one aspect of the “goodness” of God’s original creation (Gen 1:31). Biological sex is manifested in one’s physical body (chromosomes, genitalia, endocrine systems, and secondary sex characteristics). God wills that we each should communicate our sex in our social and cultural contexts, so that if we are male we live as boys and men, and if we are female we live as girls and women (Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 11:2-16), which includes using pronouns that align with our biological sex. The social and cultural expression of sex is often referred to as gender.

Two Dignified Paths

God invites us to receive the gift of sexuality in purity and holiness (Exod 20:14; Matt 5:27–30; 1 Thess 4:3–8). He calls us to walk one of two equally dignified paths: that of chaste singleness (Isa 56:3b–5; Matt 19:11-12; 1 Cor 7) or faithful marriage between one man and one woman (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:4–6; Eph 5:22–33). Sexual intimacy is a blessing exclusively reserved for marriage.

The Fall

The Fall placed all humanity under judgment (Rom 5:16–18) and resulted in the corruption of human nature, including our sexuality (Jer 17:9; Eph 2:1–3; Rom 3:9–18; Heb 3:13). While the specific effects of the Fall vary across persons and cultures, we are all under the power of sin (Rom 3:10-12). Sexual sin flows from disordered desires (Matt 15:10-20; Rom 1:24–25; Jas 1:14–15). Any sexual activity (thought, word or deed) outside of male-female marriage is sin (1 Cor 7:2; 1 Thess 4:3–8; Heb 13:4).

Scripture speaks of sin from two perspectives: (1) the corruption of human nature as a result of the Fall (what Paul calls “the flesh” in Rom 13:14 and Gal 5:17) and (2) specific thoughts, desires, words, and actions which are contrary to God’s will (what Paul calls “works of the flesh” in Gal 5:19-21). The former is often referred to as “indwelling sin” (or “sin nature”) while the latter is referred to as “actual sins.” We pray for strength from the Holy Spirit (Matt 6:13; 26:41; Rom 8:13) to resist the power of indwelling sin (which will never be fully eradicated in this life) while we repent from, and seek forgiveness for, actual sins committed (1 John 1:9).

Same-Sex Attraction

Same-sex attraction is contrary to God’s design and reflects disordered sexual desire. It is important to distinguish between the capacity or propensity to experience same-sex attraction, the initial experience of personal attraction toward someone of the same sex, same-sex sexual desire or lust, and same-sex sexual acts. As an expression of indwelling sin, the capacity or propensity to experience same-sex attraction is a potential source of temptation. The initial experience of personal attraction toward someone of the same sex presents a temptation, arising from indwelling sin, to be resisted by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11). Same-sex sexual desire or lust, like any other fallen desire that orients us toward sin, is an actual sin that requires confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). Same-sex sexual behavior, like any other sinful behavior, requires confession, repentance, and forgiveness.  In all this, Jesus is a faithful high priest for those who come to Him (Heb 4:15-16).

Transgender Identities

The Bible affirms that God created humanity as male and female. The Scriptures present sex (our biological reality) and gender (our social and cultural expressions of sex) as inseparable aspects of our God-given embodiment. In contrast, transgender ideology separates sex and gender, encouraging adoption of transgender identities. Some adopt a transgender identity because of a painful experience of disconnection between one’s internal sense of self and one’s physical body (gender dysphoria). This can be understood as a result of the Fall. It is important to distinguish one’s experience of gender dysphoria from how one responds to this experience, as not all who feel this distress adopt a transgender identity. Additionally, some adopt transgender identities without experiencing gender dysphoria. God’s good design of our sexuality calls us to receive our created sex as a gift and to live in alignment with it through Christ and the empowering presence of His Spirit.

Redemption and Growth

Through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, God is redeeming every part of our lives—including our sexuality. In Christ, through repentance and faith, we receive forgiveness and new life. The Holy Spirit empowers us to turn from sin and walk in righteousness. 

At the same time, we live in a fallen world in which we struggle with temptation and sin. We experience temptation, sin, suffering, and death as we await the return of our savior, Jesus Christ (Tit 2:11-14). Nonetheless, we can confidently expect to grow as we walk humbly with Christ and look toward the fullness of salvation when Christ returns.

Same-sex attraction must be addressed in the life of the believer just as we approach all other aspects of the flesh that oppose God’s will for our lives.  We ask God for deliverance from and power over temptation (Matt 6:13; 1 Cor 10:13). 

For those experiencing gender dysphoria, coming to Christ may, over time, provide a reduction or resolution of distress; however, for others, the experience of gender dysphoria may persist. In either case, God’s grace is sufficient to sustain and empower us to live in alignment with our biological sex.

We encourage every believer to think and speak about themselves in ways that are consistent with their new life in Christ and the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We invite believers to bring every aspect of their lives under the Lordship of Christ, including their sexuality. As a Spirit-filled community, we walk together in grace and truth, guided at every point by Scripture.

Conclusion

In all things, we want to make Jesus Christ the central issue. Our universal need for God’s mercy, grace, and reconciliation makes us all equal before the cross of Christ.  No matter what form sin or brokenness has taken in our lives, God’s invitation to experience His forgiveness and restoration is available to all who come to Him. May people from all nations come to know the love and transforming power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!