A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption

by Becket Cook

God expects us to be obsessed with Him.

The overwhelming wonder of God’s infinite love is this: While I was broken and a failure, God came to rescue me. He came to love me, to redeem me, and to heal me from sin. Where I failed, Christ succeeded on my behalf. Where I distrusted, Christ was faithful. Where I proudly resisted, he humbly surrendered. Through his obedience, he bridged the chasm between my darkness and his light. On the cross, God’s Son took my place and became a sacrifice for all my failures. In his resurrection, he triumphed over all my destruction. And he now stands as my victorious Redeemer, offering me—and all who will simply receive him—his forgiveness and vindication. Christ clothes my shame and brokenness with his righteous and holy life.

My sin was this, that I looked for pleasure, beauty, and truth not in him but myself and his other creatures, and the search led me instead to pain, confusion, and error. —AUGUSTINE, CONFESSIONS

To put it plainly, feeling entitled to a nice house, a great job, and a fabulous romantic partner is a particularly American phenomenon.

So no thank you. I don’t want to be true to myself. I want to be true to God and his Word.

I am more than willing to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow him (Matt. 16:24). He’s worth it.