Transformation & Renewal

Do you believe people can change? It’s a question I’m often asked at TfT speaking engagements. My answer is always an unequivocal ‘yes’ - as a biblically-based ministry we believe passionately in the transforming power of the gospel to change lives.

The crucial question is what do we mean by ‘change’? We need a biblical understanding and expectations, or else we’ll be frustrated if our desired-for changes don’t happen. Is God able to bring about a change in sexual orientation and freedom from same-sex attractions? Well he’s the all-powerful God, so he surely is. Does the gospel promise this? No it doesn’t, not in this world.

So what kind of change does the gospel promise? The emphasis is on us being transformed and conformed into the likeness of Christ. That transformation should affect, over time, everything I do, say, think, feel, imagine and desire. It should radically impact my work life, family life, relationships and friendships, how I spend my time and money, and yes, of course, my sexuality and how I express it.

My desires for a same-sex relationship may or may not decrease as a Christian. But either way, being conformed to the likeness of Christ should help me learn how to be emotionally and physically self-controlled, as a manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit within me. I should also increasingly be able to experience peace and joy, whether or not my sexual orientation changes.

Importantly we’re not passive in this whole process, far from it. Paul in writing to the Philippians is confident that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Phil 1:6), but he later urges them to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 1:12) He commands the Romans to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2). The mind is the key battleground, and I’m called to fuel the process of transformation by renewing my own mind.

Perhaps the key word then is ‘partnership’ – you and I are in it together with God. He’ll play His part in bringing His good work to completion, but I have to play my part in the process of transformation by positively and actively immersing my mind in God’s word. And as I become more like Christ, who can say that God might not alleviate or even take away my same-sex desires, or replace them with a growing attraction to someone of the opposite sex?

But even if the Lord doesn’t bring about that kind of change, if I’m being conformed to Christ’s likeness, then that should lead to a growing sense of contentment, even in the midst of my struggle with same-sex attractions. And I’ll begin to learn, perhaps, that God’s grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness.

Jonathan Berry

(first published in the Christmas 2009 TfT newsletter)