I was an atheist and sex addict for much of my life. My addiction ruined any relationships I might have had. There was so much money, time, effort, mental space given over to attaining that excitation and release that I today can't believe it. In my late 40's, after coming to Christ, I was still certain that God didn't really care about the things we do in the flesh. But after two years of walking with Jesus, the Holy Spirit in a single moment convicted me in my whole body, convinced me, and delivered me from the addiction that I had been under most of my life. The freedom I have now is so much greater than the compulsion I had before. I would never want to go back to it. I pray that all bound by addictions of any type be set free by the power of Christ. It is for freedom that we have been set free.

God never blesses what He condemns, and neither can His church.

"Jesus says come as you are. He doesn't say stay as you are." Very well put.

The Church welcomes everyone but not everything

I appreciate this video Pastor Ortlund. Too many leaders today are clouding the issue and it’s always encouraging to see someone stand for truth. Keep on fighting the good fight of faith!

Is a gospel without repentance good for anything?

I've heard it said, "If you confuse you lose." Andy Stanley lost us with bringing unfortunate obfuscation over something that is very clear in Scripture. And worse, missed an opportunity to share a fuller presentation of the gospel as you highlighted. I really appreciate the clarity you brought here.

Thank you for the message. I was divorced in 2017 and I've abstained from sex since that time. I've just hit my 40s and it's been hard - especially after being sexually active throughout the marriage - but I do it because it's what Christ commanded. The commands about sexuality are clear, and they apply to everyone. Whenever I see these creative arguments to excuse homosexuality (and in some cases to even call it fine and good), I can't help but laugh. I don't know any other fitting response. What would all the people who excuse homosexual attraction have to say to me? Would they tell me that I can have sex with women and it's fine? Or would they draw lines? Would they tell me that it's okay for me if I can do it, but not everyone can be celibate? Let's just call this what it is. It's terrible pastoring. It's pandering to people who value their relationships with sinners more than they do obedience to Christ. That's it. Thank you again, and please continue to speak truth.

Dr. O. I grew up in Georgia and went to Northpoint once while in college. I think Mr. Stanley continues to struggle with the Southern fundamentalist culture he grew up in that was often unthinking. But, he has fallen off the other side of the rail. His trajectory has been in a bad direction for a long time. In the post-Obergefell world, we MUST be clear on this. Matthew 19:1-11 is one of the most important Bible passages for our day. As a practicing physician, I fear for my license over this issue, given the direction of the professional societies on the LGBT issue. I appreciate your clarity and fleshing this out. Looking forward to further responses.

Clear and powerful. Thank you. What Dr. Ortlund calls his "irenic approach" has sometimes made me think that he was unwilling to speak a deeply unpopular truth, such as this one. I am glad to find that I was wrong.

Thank you for this, brother! I was comfort actually when you said that Christianity is hard. Following Jesus is hard. I have said this many times and brothers and sisters look at me confused. They ask why and praise God they say it is easy for them and they have a zeal for God. I thought it was just me that has found Christianity to be hard. I often fight my temptations and i have plenty. My wife and i are Christians. I am the only Christian from my side of the family and I told my wife i feel like compromising just to be more welcomed by my parents and sisters but Praise God this is only our temporary home. I look forward everyday to be in God's kingdom so i won't feel so much temptation and feel so weak.

The mistake the Church made was making the Church a place of evangelism. Jesus said, "Go into the whole world and share the gospel." The church is for God's children. Paul also dealt harshly in the way he was going to deal with sexual immorality in the Church of Corinthians 5

True, “being chaste is easier than martyrdom” really is how it feels, I say that as an unmarried woman (never been sexually active) who struggles with lust and depression in the past. Though God has brought me very far, sometimes stumbling in both is unbearable. Thanks for the video.

Andy, "For many, this [celibacy] is not sustainable." Christ calls his children to take up our crosses and follow him. Christ sustains his people. This is the message that needs to be heard, no matter what sin you're struggling against.

Is life long sobriety not possible for some Christians, is life long abstaining from violence impossible for some, Heroin addiction is impossible to give up for many...shall we provide free needles in church bathrooms and a clean environment for shooting up with phlebotomists on duty? How about a wet bar in the basement? Can’t give up seeing prostitutes? Shall we reinstate temple prostitution? We can accommodate all sin in the name of inclusion and affirmation.

This old ex-Catholic needed to hear that last 3-ish minutes...again and again. God bless/thx for speaking boldly, from your heart, Pastor Gavin.

"It's their decision." Apply the same logic to any other sin (pedophiles? rapists? murderers?) and would Andy still be saying the same thing about making big circles?

Stanley has crossed a boundary into another country and can no longer be considered a Christian preacher but a heretical preacher. What is stronger than agree to disagree...anathema?

The problem starts with making sin a part of our core identity. What's the most important thing in the world, falling in love and getting married or where we spend eternity? We don't build theology around our failure to have dominion over the desires of our flesh.

That Bonhoeffer quote! Ooof. “Come and die” Christianity can be hard, but so worth it.

This is how sexual immorality, and all sin, should be handled. This is pastoral care. Thank you so much for this.

My issue is, of course I want to treat people with respect and compassion, but not at the expense of truth. What is being demanded is affirmation of sin, and if you don't affirm, you don't have compassion so I'm repeatedly told I'm not being loving.

"We aren't trying to change Christian values, it's just that our interpretation of Christian values just-so-happens to correspond to modern, ideological values as much as possible without also scaring off too many people." Wow what a coincidence.

Fantastic breakdown!

I can tell Dr Ortlund is treating this issue very carefully. With kindness and compassion. I think of the seven churches in Revelation and I often wonder why these churches and how Jesus through John found errors and addressed them. So many of the apologetic videos out today talk a lot about sticking to the original churches led by the apostles, yet Revelation includes errors and corrections in these first, original churches. I bring that up because those faults Jesus found in the original churches seem to address this issue. The church in Ephesus had abandoned Christ’s teachings and the church of Pergamum had compromised its beliefs. Even the first churches dealt with this. I believe that Jesus needs to be the head of the church, the kingdom…not men. The deception and complacency and tolerance of worldliness and blindness to truth covered in this talk only works on men. Let’s stick with Jesus. He teaches godly truth with loving kindness, yet directly deals with it.

I don't even understand what he means. The guy on the stage, not Gavin. Too much speaking around the issue.

I appreciate this video. So many Christians today are afraid to take a biblical stance against sexual sin in fear of scaring people away.

Jesus absolutely drew lines… hard ones… he also made it clear the condition of those that ignored those lines.

Calling "Chaste" an "old-fashioned" word means for most people today "obsolete." That is how you manipulate language; anything traditional is already taken as meaning "meaningless" or "defunct."

Love this, calm, compassionate, clear and inspiring.

I think an important thing to point out is that in Galatians 5, when the fruits of the spirit are listed, self control is there. So one could say that a lack of self control is comparable to a lack of love, or kindness, or gentleness. That says a lot about sexual immorality, whether it be from a homosexual relationship or a heterosexual porn watcher. Thanks for the video Dr Ortlund, really appreciate the work you do. Idk how you find the time!

I love that meditation from Anselm. It hits right where it needs to and points us where we need to go. Thanks for this video.

I’m glad you made a video on this. Really appreciate the work you do.

This was a good and charitable response. Thank you!

Great message. Thanks. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” “Come as you are, leave as He is.”

Great video, Gavin. As always, you've provided a very clear, Biblical, pastoral, and sober-minded analysis of this very important and controversial issue without sacrificing truth to compassion or vice versa. Keep up the great work!

Well said and gracious. Such a kind approach while being very clear

Thank you pastor for a loving ,crystal clear and Godly response, and give us understanding that people's eternity is at stake, it's living and best to be sincerely honest by speaking the Truth in a loving way🙏

Tremendous video Gavin!! I always enjoy your content. Oh how believers, unbelievers and the Church need to confess our hubris. Our pride keeps us from truly loving and repenting!

Very very well said, I appreciate your heart posture and approach to this topic as always. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for weighing in and speaking truth with kindness and clarity. It seems truth and clarity flew out the window since the emergent and progressive church movement. Many in the churches are not being taught the scriptures and have little knowledge of the church fathers and church history. The RCC and Eastern churches have three year catechisms in order to instruct people. The Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and some Baptist churches had creeds and confessions and Catechisms for instruction. The churches I attended were non denominational so I didn’t receive a lot of that instruction. I made up for that after I retired. I got a better understanding of some of the groups and origins of certain teachings that were prevalent in the second century and origins of other practices after 500AD. A lot of what we’re seeing today was taking place in the past. Again you have been a great source for keeping people informed of these things. Thank you.

Jesus literally drew a line (John 8:6). And while it seems like it's in agreement with what Andy Stanley says, it is only in reference to violent punishment/execution of people for their sins. This is where you already agreed with Andy - we shouldn't abuse people because of their sinfulness. But we cannot be silent about what is sinful. We all are sinners, but turning a blind eye to anyone's sins is not loving.

So well said Pastor Gavin, you spoke the truth in love, that is the most helpful and kind thing to do. I’m reminded of the scripture that God gives more grace in James 4:6 Grace to help us to submit to him in all things.

Telling Christians that they need to listen to the voices of those who embrace & promote sinful lifestyles is just a more subtle & palatable way of saying, "You need to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, & sit in the seat of scoffers." Also, John the Baptist: "Repent of your sins, you brood of vipers." Celeb evangelicals: "I just want to adopt a posture of listening and understanding, not saying 'this or that is wrong.' I want them to know I am for them, even if we disagree about their lifestyle."

Even if you have the opinion that sexuality is not an extremely important topic in and of itself, it is extremely important to stand firm in the truth where our culture is rooted in lies. It’s important to make a stand on this because our culture is so staunchly in the other direction.

This is spot on. You articulate the issues with clarity and compassion without deviating from scripture. Thank you!

Thank you Gavin. I've heard several analyses of the Andy Stanley situation. This one is the best so far. As always, I appreciate your Biblically-based, irenic tone.

Thank you for this clear and truthful explanation! I was torn and confused! 🙏

Thank you so much, Gavin. I deeply appreciate your work. God has poured out grace on you - please continue stewarding it for God's Church.

Thank you so much for addressing this

Thank you for the wisdom that you make so freely available.

Wonderful video. If you are reading this, I exhort you: don’t cave in. What Andy Stanley did this month, church after church and pastor after pastor are going to do in the coming decades. Resolve in your heart not to follow them. Resolve to stand by the Word of God. Resolve to proclaim and uphold the truth though the world and the erring church crucify you. Resolve not to cave in. Christ will reward you on the final day. The most loving thing you can do in this generation is to refuse to call evil good.

Great work Gavin! Humble and Biblical. Much needed in this conversation!

I stop whatever I’m doing and watch the video when Pastor Ortlund uploads

Thank you, pastor. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I sorely needed to hear those last three minutes. Praise our Lord Christ for all things. Holy Spirit, give us strength and grace.

Thank you brother, the Truth is Beautiful, and it will unite all who will. ❤

Repentance has become inconvenient. Stanley seems to think calling people to repentance and obedience is “unloving”. This is so dangerous!

God bless you, Gavin, for your thoughtful insight to this issue of our day. As always, you are a trustworthy and sober minded source. I think this topic has to rank highly on the theological triage model, given how rampantly it is assaulting the church right now. Keep up the good work, brother.

This is a GREAT ANALYSYS of Andy's sermon/answer!! Thank you. I had those same reservations, as I've listened to his sermon.

Thank you! This was a wonderful, compassionate message!

This is great, Gavin. *Clarity is loving*. I think this sort of unclarity is also unloving on a pastoral and missional. People who are same sex attracted will eventually perceive this sort of thing as gaslighting/they'll experience whiplash. On one level they hear "we can disagree and it's all good" and another they hear in hushed and whispered tones, "yeah but your lifestyle is one of sin". That kind of contradiction in missional approach--if you really think gay sexual relations are sin--leaves people feeling betrayed. People leave the church over stuff like this because they feel like they've been baited and switched. It's much better to just lovingly and compassionately speak with clarity on sin.

I think it's very good to recognize the valid parts of someone's argument even when you disagree with them on their central points. Christians should absolutely affirm that caring for those who currently, or previously, identify with LGBTQ ideals is a good thing and that loving them is Christ-like, but that does not mean that we should ever affirm or condone what God calls sin. The true "quieter middle ground" is to believe that we should love those who are tempted towards these sins, as toward any other sin, totally, and call them unconditionally to repent of them, while offering all the support, prayer and care that we can to them as they do so.

Wonderfully put Gavin, thank you for the video.

You are an outstanding brother. Thank you and praise God.

Bravo, Dr. Ortlund!! Well spoken and balanced with truth and grace. This will be a go-to video for me to share with Christians and those interested in what we believe on this issue. Thank you!

This is good stuff Gavin. I have to admit the attack on church brought on by homosexuality is what had me start looking at the church fathers and start asking the question well what has the church always understood the teaching to be? This then however brought me to the realization that others teaching are inconsistent with my church tradition (southern Baptist) main one being the Eucharist. I feel as though Protestantism is having a hard time wrestling with textualism and originalism because we have to admit we also pick and choose teachings that different from how they were originally taught. We all need to seek the truth and submit to it humbly and pray the holy spirit guides us.

I'm interested in hearing the series on the sermon on the mount!

Gavin you should put quotation marks on the title “marriage “ because it’s not marriage.

There’s a difference between living with sin and living IN sin. If you continue to keep living in sin do you really love Jesus? Are you a new creation? Sexual sin is highlighted in the Bible specifically because it’s a sin against our own bodies,and our bodies don’t belong to us anymore,they were brought with a high price. And there was a reason Paul used and coined the word “arsenokoites”,people would do well to research into that and where it’s from. God Bless all 🙏

Calling it a sermon is WAY too generous. I don't believe he referenced a single Biblical verse... as is his norm.

Hey Gavin, your heart and sensitivity to such challenging questions has meant everything to me. Your desire for Christian unity has been so refreshing as you seek to draw lines as widely as you can until you cannot any further, when so many Christians are drawing lines so prematurely and are genuinely ripping the body of Christ apart. I grew up Reformed (PCA), and sadly saw a lot uncharitably drawing lines in the sand, instead of deeply pursuing Christian unity until it wasn't possible any further. Because of such agonizing doubt about this issue, I have sunk into a deep depression, where sometimes I feel it easier to just not keep going on any longer. My pain-staking inquiry is this... what do you do if you're just genuinely not sure about this issue? It appears far easier to remain opposed to homosexuality as I have all my life, but I feel a responsibility to genuinely seek what is true about this issue. I have always been opposed by default, and have read a decent amount of people's experiences in favor of my position. It's comfortable. A couple of years ago I lost my best friend to an affirming lifestyle. That was very challenging. In moving towns, I acquired a new best friend, as we've just grown closely together organically, and he is now exploring/following the affirming lifestyle. As you can imagine, this has been heart-wrenching. After a crisis of faith I had a year ago , I saw it a responsiblity this time to genuinely explore this topic. ...and I feel so lost. I don't know what the truth is. Maybe it is because I am not smart enough. ...but I'm juggling back and forth reading a book from an affirming argument, then a non-affirming argument. ...and it's all so gray. The arguments from the original languages and/or context on either side seem equally compelling. There are things I'm not convinced about from the affirming position, such as "what marriage fundamentally is", and the roles of men and women (I'm slightly on the complementarian side). But the challenge still remains, how do I question these thinks without being racked by fear? I'm afraid of being wrong as it seems like eternity is at stake. May God have mercy on me. You or anyone else's response or support is deeply appreciated.

Praise God Brother. I'm thankful for the Lord leading me here as I've been blessed with knowledge each time I've had the opportunity to sit and watch one of your videos since I joined. I've heard several pastors with that "circle" view and its a very dangerous place to stand. Yes, compassion is a invaluable when trying to reach the lost, however, assuring people they'll spend eternity with the Lord regardless of their ways is anything but compassionate. I absolutely love and appreciate the way you share the Truth. Words of Wisdom and Knowledge are present.

Hey Gavin. Do you have any content on contraception? I recently watched one of McDowell‘s videos hosting a conversation about it and have been looking into Luther and Calvin’s thoughts on the issue. It seems like it could be a fairly big issue of unacknowledged sin and I wonder how you would triage it?

I know this is a bit of a non sequitur, but it occurred to me in reading through several early church fathers, and even up to Anselm, who Gavin mentions in this video, just how little they all refer to Mother Mary. Her position and veneration in Catholic and Orthodox traditions really is a modern invention. I'd encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to seek out their wisdom. And, in all things, weigh their words against the holy scriptures. I think you'll find that not much has changed under the sun.

Every time I hear an evangelical speak on the subject of homosexuality, the word that stands out is “BUT.” “We Christians love you gays so much, BUT . . .” In my experience, evangelicals are so busy protecting God's holiness, that they don't reach out with love. Or to put it another way, evangelicals would rather run the risk of being judgmental, and unwelcoming than take a chance that someone - anyone - would think them guilty of being impious. I didn't attend the Unconditional Conference, but it seems to have emphasized God's love instead of God's holiness. I think maybe that's a good thing, though I'm sure many will disagree. Dr. Ortlund, I take your point about being careful not to sell a false bill of goods. But, will we draw people into the fold by showing them the hard edge of holiness? or by holding them in a warm embrace of love? How does a non-Christian apprehend the kindness of Jesus you spoke about so passionately in your closing if not through the uncritical (dare I say “unconditional”) love of a believer? We all have cultural blind spots? Without a doubt. But could the Stanley critics be the ones with the blind spot?

Excellent, Gavin. Thank you.

Gavin - thank you for being a great example for compassion AND firmness rooted in God's word. I have enjoyed your videos not only for excellent Biblical knowledge but also your approach. I can be more of a bull in a china shop when it comes to God's Word, but listening to you constantly helps me to reset my attitude....(sometimes many times). Can not thank you enough!!!

Nice Video! Speaking of western culture today, I think there is so much freedom that we may be blinded to the past and what God intended. Granted as a society, we still have sense of certain things that are wrong (rape, pedo, etc). I think the issue with same-sex marriage arrives as society seems to be more secular than the past, and trying to explain the dangers and issues to someone who doesn’t want to know Christ or have a preconceived notion about Him.

I think the best comparison to SS Attraction is to replace "homosexual" with "fornicator". Both are sins without a victim. The only people directly harmed by it are the people engaged in the act. A trick progressives try to use is that by saying SSM is biblically forbidden, you are being exclusive and keeping people from sitting at the table with Jesus. However, if people tried to say that saying pre-marital sex is forbidden means you're keeping fornicators from sitting at the table with Jesus, we'd obviously see how acceptance of fornication doesn't follow from that reasoning.

Thankful for you re these matters

Thank you for holding firm to scripture on this brother

Thanks for the excellent video Dr. Ortlund. I find Andy Stanley's language about drawing lines or drawing circles as too vague. What exactly does that mean? When it comes to accepting people into our churches I think nearly all churches welcome everyone unconditionally to their public services. At the same time they would usually limit leadership positions to those not living in unrepentant sin and recognizing only the biblical definition of marriage. There is a need to be specific about these issues.

Great video Pastor. Glory to God

Incredible teaching, thank you.

It is loving, truthful, and necessary, though sometimes painful, to have this conversation with people who are exploring the Christian faith. I regularly interact with college students who are professing Christians - it is almost more difficult to have these conversations with them. The ambiguity is confusing - they long to be loving toward their classmates and accepted, so there is great temptation to move toward the progressive ideas theologically because those voices argue that their position on sexual ethics is Biblical. In the spring I gave a group of my students an introductory quiz in which they were asked if there was such a thing as objective truth - all 19 said no. 😳

Hit it out of the park. Well done. This is whats happening in these "circles". At the crux of it, prominent pastors are trying to find a way to be on both sides of this issue, in the name of "love", and "compassion". It's deceiving. I just don't see how it can be done. And in doing so all they do is sow confusion and doubt. See Fr James Martin, Pope Francis, etc as well. They just confuse, every time they open their mouths on this. They won't outright deny the Biblical Christian teaching on this topic, but they won't affirm it either. Trent Horn had a video on that a while back. Every time they open their mouths you just wonder. Then you have other Churches who are just silent on it. Like, they don't dare touch it. I think I understand why, but still. By not weighing in on this and intentionally avoiding it, you just further the confusion and doubt. You really hit it on the head talking about repentant sin. All sin is wrong and misses the mark. And a truly convicted sinner seeking God has to hate his sin. Yes he's a sinner still, but since he's no longer defined by that sin, ("the old has past away.. the new has come"), he must hate that sin, all of it. 9:56 "..Come and see, come and sit with us". Come and see what? That some sin is fine to walk in? That some unrepentant sin is fine? I'm pretty sure God hates all of it. And therefore we should too. Our sexuality is a gift from God. It should be honored as such.

I recall hearing Rosaria Butterfield saying about Pastor Ken who ministered to her something to the effect, “I accept you but don’t approve…”

Excellent response - Thank you 👍

Jesus drew circles? Was inclusive? “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household” (Matthew 10:34-36). The line is unrepentant sin Mr. Stanley. This is the kind of rhetoric we hear from people who don't believe in inerrancy.

Wouldn't those in religious life as consecrated virgins be a witness to the fact that living a chaste life is indeed possible and bearable?

Thank you for your commentary! I would like to get the book on Anselm. Can you tell me the title of the copy you read from?

I know a few commenters may have aluded to it, but I am posting verses... 1Cor5:11-12 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler-not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

I have been looking at Dueteronomy 13 recently. It is interesting that the laws does not condemn those who leave, but those who "entice" those away with falsehood. I feel like people should really consider this on this kind of topic. Are we being enticed away by something else, like a desire to be liked by the world.

I struggle with sexual sin more than almost anything else

Just found your channel definitely subscribing for more

Good, clear, loving truth. Thank you

Great job Gavin.

Dr. Ortlund have you considered translating your content to Spanish? Our community could use your wisdom.

Gavin great job. Always faithful

"'"Sexuality is to our culture what wealth was to the Rich Young Ruler." -JR Vassar' -Josh Howerton" -Gavin Ortlund