Coming to terms with the spiritual and theological truths surrounding homosexuality is one of the most difficult processes a person—particularly a gay person—can go through. However, settling the theological issues is only part of the journey. It's still necessary to navigate through the implications of this newfound perspective.

This reality was driven home the first time I taught affirming theology to my local congregation. It was interesting (and that's putting it lightly) that some could agree that Scripture, rightly interpreted, did not condemn homosexuality in any universal or lasting sense, yet still could not accept the natural consequence of that conclusion—that homosexuals should be allowed the same rights as the other non-sinful orientation, i.e. the right to to marry.

Accepting the fact that homosexuality is not a crime against God, yet still concluding that marriage must always and only be between one man and one woman is, in my not-so-humble opinion, worse than believing homosexuality is morally repugnant. It's pretty heartless to affirm the orientation and still deny homosexuals the basic human right to live forever with a person of their choosing in the blessed state of matrimony.

I'm a Black American, and I know in a very personal way how offensive it is for someone to grant the "privilege" of being equal in status, yet still not afford the same rights and privileges of that status. What good does it do to claim that "all men are created equal", and then continue to enslave an entire race for another 100 years after that hypocritical admission? Had that noble Declaration stated, "All white men are created equal," I could claim no grievance; but that's not what it said.

The discussion surrounding homosexuality must go further than a simple admission of its sinless nature. The consequences of that admission must afterward be explored. Since homosexuality is not a sin, how should that affect the rights that gays should have? How does that impact what my personal view of gays should be?

It boils down to is a question of worldview. Just because someone may intellectually or theologically accept something doesn't mean that his newfound truth has filtered from his head to his heart. Until that happens, how he sees the world remains, for all intents and purposes, unchanged, and that's not good enough.

What you know isn't going to positively impact people's lives until what you know change how you live. What good is knowing that we feed the hungry, when that knowledge fails to create positive fruit in your life? Until the hungry actually get fed, knowing what you know is completely meaningless! Until you support gay rights, knowing that homosexuality is not a sin doesn't really matter all that much.

So, this battle is not simply a theological one. I know that our Lord Jesus would be so disappointed in us if we left it as such. Hearts must be changed, not just minds. Lives must be impacted, not just Bible study courses. Until we've reached that pinnacle, the war wages on.

To that end, I challenge you to do more than simply agree that homosexuality isn't sinful. View the world through the lens of that revelation. See homosexuals kissing and don't cringe. See them holding hands and think, Oh, how sweet. Let these truths filter from the logical center of your mind to the feeling center of your heart. Only there will it produce changes in the things you feel, say and do.

"For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. [45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. [46] And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

Luke 6:44-46

Jesus shows us in this passage that logically believing something isn't good enough. Only when something is in your heart will it change the fruit you bear, and only when you're bearing the right kinds of fruit does what you believe matter at all.

Jesus asked His people, "Why do you call me 'Lord', when you don't do what I say?" In other words, He said, "You may have acknowledged that I"m Lord, but I can tell it's not really in your heart yet, because if it were, you'd obey me as though you really believed it."

Now that I think about it, Jesus revealed a very profound truth here. There's a big difference between knowing and believing. They knew He was Lord in their minds. They'd accepted it as fact. But, they didn't yet believe it in their hearts, where it would actually produce the fruit of obedience.

Knowing that homosexuality is not sinful isn't enough, my friend. You must believe it. It must produce the fruit of equality in what you feel, what you say, and what you do. It must change whether or not you decide to attend the next commitment ceremony you're invited to. It must change whether you vote yes or no on the next gay marriage ballot initiative. It must certainly change how you react if your child tells you he/she is gay.

Hide this word on homosexuality in your heart, the only place where it'll do some good!