Compassion without Compromise: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Our Gay Friends Without Losing the Truth

As I started reading this book I could not stop reading it. I finished it in about four hours and was motivated to keep reading throughout the entire book. It was also the first book I have read in a while that I used a highlighter throughout the entire book. This 147 page book is pure gold, especially in the world we live in and the cultural ideology when it comes to homosexuality. There is a lot of different “stuff” and so called “truth” going around today telling us how we should think and handle homosexuality. This book is a breath of fresh air as it Biblically explains homosexuality and how to interact with people that struggle with it. I never felt there was an aggressive tone to the book. Compassion without Compromise communicated the truth of God’s Word in a loving and compassionate way. The introduction is important as it introduces the authors and their struggle with homosexuality in their own lives. They deal with a wide variety of issues when it comes to homosexuality. God created sex and God created marriage. Some people like to believe that marriage is a man-made institution, but that is clearly not true, as we see that God is the one that initiated the joining together of man and women. Man is made in God’s image, and we can see that the joining together of man and women is a picture of the trinity. The reason why this issue of homosexuality needs to be addressed, is because unlike other sexual sins plaguing our churches and cultures, we are being told that homosexuality is not sin. The authors graciously and compassionately lead us through scripture to show us how homosexuality is sin and that homosexual marriage is also sin. But at the same time they lead us through scripture to show us that homosexuality does not have to define who we are, and that the power of the gospel can renew, redeem, sustain, and give us an abundant life. Each chapter gives a “takeaway” section to quickly review and help the reader grasp what the main points of each chapter were. There are chapters entitled “Two Faced,” which answers the question, “How can a bunch of hypocrites cast the first stone?” or “Jesus is My Homeboy,” which answers that question, “If He didn’t care, why should we?” I specifically enjoyed this chapter as it destroys the idea that because Jesus didn’t directly talk about homosexuality, it is not a big deal or sin.  Jesus also did not talk about other gross sexual acts such has incest, polygamy, bestiality, and pedophilia. There is an entire chapter dedicated to what the church should do, as the authors gave practical ways to deal with homosexuality legally and biblically. I enjoyed the chapter that answered real life questions when it comes to homosexuality, such as, “How can I talk to others about this issue without getting into an argument?” or, “What should I do about my workplace celebrating gay pride?” or, “My son is dating another male, and the holidays are coming up, what should I do?” or, “I just got invited to a same sex marriage, what should I do?” This was a great book, as it not only dealt with homosexuality Biblically and practically, but it also made me think about my own life when it comes to sin before a holy God. Fear is something that has been misplaced or given a new definition that sounds nicer, but really, as Christians, do we have a fear that we are living before and serving a holy God? We shouldn’t be cowering in the corner, but sometimes that would be better to do, instead of thinking that we can get away with sin and that sin is no big deal to God. Four things that stood out to me: 1. Sexual sin is a serious matter, as it can very easily lead to our destruction and death. 2. What you believe about the Bible itself, will determine where you stand on many different issues. Is it the actual Word of God or is it not? 3. You will have to the conversation as some point, and this conversation will be awkward and could be very explosive. 4. We underestimate the power of the Gospel to renew, redeem, and sustain.

Compassion without Compromise is a surprisingly easy read on a very hot topic that is often confronting us as Christians. It’s “easy” as in straightforward, practical, and written for the everyday believer. The authors’, Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau, heart for both God’s truth and those who struggle in sin is apparent from the front of the book… “How the gospel frees us to love our gay friends without losing the truth” to the back… “Loving, biblical answers on homosexuality” and all the way throughout. I love the last part of the back summary… “Truth does not preclude kindness—and a good dose of humility is necessary to love our neighbors. With sensitivity and winsomeness, this book will offer an honest but inviting message to readers: We are all in need of the healing that can only come from the truth of the gospel.” Barr and Citlau are both pastors who have seen how the issue of homosexuality is tearing apart families, friendships and churches. Ron Citlau also has the personal experience of living with same-sex attraction and yet now walking in God’s healing. They talk Biblically and practically with grace and love. Don’t miss the Further Learning and Note section at the back of the book. I found them very helpful and resourceful. There is also more resources including a study guide available at CompassionWithoutCompromise dot com.  I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Kiss your hand threr times repost this under threr threr other books then look under your pillow