The Eunuch Nation

In the Bible Jesus talks about Eunuchs. You can find the passage in Matthew chapter 19. He talks about three different types of Eunuchs, 1. Those that are born that way, 2. Those that are made that way, and 3. Those that choose to be that way. He also mentions that, basically, celibacy is a choice and not something to be thrust upon a person. The Apostle Paul says pretty much the same thing in Romans. He talks about not marrying to be focused on the things of God, but says that its better to marry than to burn with lustful desire.

Celibacy is talked about as something that is a Holy calling, not a burden for us all to take upon ourselves. I think this is a compelling case for allowing homosexuals to marry. If Gay people are born gay, (which I am convinced is true... why else would so many people be so tormented by that fact and not just "choose" to be straight once they are saved or know about God?) then would God want any gay or lesbian person to remain celibate for His sake if they truly desired to be in a relationship with a loving partner? Certainly not! He does not ask that of me as a straight woman, which I am so very thankful for. And we should all take a step back and ask why are we expecting celibacy from EVERY single Gay person alive? That is ridiculous to put that kind of pressure on the GLBTs when it is VERY VERY clear in the Bible that this is a Spiritual gift to be celibate! Shame on those in the Christian church who tell homosexuals their only choice is to either 1. never marry and abstain from sex for the rest of your life or 2. get married to someone of the opposite sex. How would you like it if the tables were turned?! How stressful and damaging that kind of thinking is!

Many Gay Christians that believe Jesus is referring to homosexuals, in the line that says "some were born this way," are taking on the label of "Eunuch" to describe them selves in Scriptural terms. It seems to be an empowering thing for many to do that. I can kind of see why, with all the negative focus put on the few pieces of Scripture that doom "homosexual offenders" to Hell and the way (sadly) many Christians use those Scriptures to condemn the entire GLBT community. One lesbian pastor I know uses the term "Eunuch Nation" to describe the Gay Christian community... or the GLBT community in general. She pointed out the following passage in the Bible to me.

Isaiah 56 (New International Version)
1 This is what the LORD says: "Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."
3 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people." And let not any eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree."
4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant-
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
8 The Sovereign LORD declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

Interesting passage of Scripture. God is promising Eunuchs a memorial inside His temple, a name that is more intimate and dear than calling them His own children, and is promising never to cut them off from Himself. What an amazing passage... found in the Old Testament! And Jesus redefines the term Eunuch, in the New Testament, to include not just those that are castrated males but those that are "born that way" and those that choose to be celibate. I can see now why a Christian Gay Pastor would want to dive right into that passage in the book of Matthew and claim it for them self and their church.

If we can put so much focus and emphasis on the other small (and somewhat mistranslated) passages of Scripture against homosexuals why not focus our attention on the other more positive passages of Scripture and really get into the meaning of "born that way" and see what Jesus is talking about. I personally wish there was more specific wording to what Jesus said, like if he meant it as "born without the desire to marry women", or "born without the desire to marry at all" or "born with the attraction for men instead of women" so it would be more obvious to every reader he meant a Gay person. But I have read quite a bit of research and am convinced as well that this person that Jesus is referring to would in fact be what we call a homosexual today. That word is not in the language of the day that Jesus spoke in, so there would never be a Scripture with the literal translation to today's word "homosexual" in the Bible. So all we can do is find in the Scriptures where Jesus or the other authors of the Bible are in fact talking specifically about Gays. They definitely existed in Biblical times, and there is evidence of that fact in other historical documents. So I am pretty sure Jesus had an opinion on the subject, and definitely, in the very least, GOD has an opinion about the GLBT people and their place in His Kingdom. And as it turns out in Isaiah, He has a very special place for the Eunuchs.

So, if you are a part of the GLBT community take heart, God loves you and wants you to be in a relationship with him and to be in a relationship with another person if you so desire to be. I am sure there are Gay people that have chosen to be celibate and that works for them, just as there are straight people that have done the same. But being Gay is not an automatic to put you in that category of "be celibate or go to Hell." That certainly does not line up with the message of the Bible. Sure, sexual offenders are doomed to the firey pits of Hell (just to show the Bible beaters we agree on something), but there is grace for anyone who wishes to turn away from their sinful life and seek God... ANYONE! EVERYONE! No matter what your past is, God wants you to be saved and to accept Jesus as your personal Savior. And once you become a child of God you won't want to continue in your sexually deviant ways (whether you be gay or straight). As a child of God we only desire to please God and to serve Him, that is the mark of a true Christian. Even though we have found freedom in Christ we have no desire to use that freedom to continue in our sins. To be under control of God is more freeing than I can even explain! That may sound like an oxymoron, but its true.

I hope this message finds you blessed by God's love today and that you continue to be encouraged by the Word of God as you read it and seek to live according to its instruction.