Sex changes and salvation?

Yuri Zelentsov hears from a new/old friend
I

am not from the “computer” generation. However, I have to admit that this new-age “cancer” has significantly spread through my life. I read the Bible as a physical book, for example, only when traveling, because it is so much easier when all needed cross references, commentaries and all sorts of additional info is just a click away. Writing a letter? Oh, c’mon! Two clicks, and it’s gone to the other side of the world in a blink of an eye, even spellchecked! ICQ, MSN, SKYPE, etc…

About a month ago, I saw an Instant Message bar blinking and a friend of mine asking me to “authorize” someone who was about to “knock“. I was careless (at the time I thought I was showing trust), and I authorized the “knocker”. I was set up. I was dragged into a conversation I didn’t want, into feelings I didn’t want to feel, into a confrontation I was trying hard to escape.

I knew the answer to the problem that I faced, or didn’t want to have an answer, I don’t know. About 13 years ago (yes, I can say that), I knew a young man in his 20s, or maybe just 20, or maybe not even that. We went to the same Corps, we worked in the same office — we were not really big friends, but pals. He liked Corel Draw, Depeche Mode, and alternative worship music. Then I went to the Training College and entered a time of turmoil in my life when I lost most if not all of my Army contacts and friends. We never met again.

About 3 years ago, I learned that this young man had gone through some bigger changes then I had. He underwent a surgical operation, clipped off his penis, and changed his gender, name and lifestyle. The first question that hit my mind was, “Why?” I did not have a chance to ask because by then I was already living in a different country. But I also did not want to have that chance, to be honest. Because things like that make me physically sick.

Now you probably guessed that the person who I carelessly authorized for conversation was he—or she—or…well, let me stick to “the person.”

I was in rage for such a set-up. And I made my point very clear to the one who had asked me to authorize that person for conversation. But his reaction struck me even harder! “Take it easy,” he said. “What about love to all people?”

“Oh, what a cheap shot!”

It’s been almost a month, but it’s coming back to me. We accept people with all kinds of addiction problems — alcoholics, drug addicts, porn addicts, gamblers. We easily establish communication with murderers, thieves, prostitutes, traffickers, etc. But why is it so much easier to accept an ex-murderer that seeks inchurchment (not sure if such term exists in English, but in Russian it means a person who is looking for answers, for God, for religion, and therefore comes to the church, but hasn’t make a final decision yet). Why is it that I would rather sit down and talk with a pimp then with this kind of person?

I did have a conversation, though, over IM, with this person. I was trying to follow my line that I knew the man I knew before, but I didn’t really know the one that I was talking to (which was true). I felt an urge and desire to catch up on things as old pals and chat about today, but I kept my line. Denial? Perhaps.

The friend that set me up said, “Don’t start on God and the repentance thing, it will turn her/him (still don’t know which to use) away.” So I held back; I didn’t ask my “why” question.

We chatted for a week or so. I made sure that the possibility for conversation stays open. That if that person wants to get acquainted, I wouldn’t mind, thinking I would have a chance to then ask about the things I heard, and maybe finally ask “why.”

I do remember how Jesus loved and embraced all kinds of people; I do remember how He said to the girl caught in adultery: “go and sin no more,” I do remember how He told me to “go and sin no more,” and not just once. I understand that somehow homosexuality, transsexuality and all other sexualities apart from the original one could be both a perversion of the lifestyle and genetic disorder due to our fallen nature, and “go and sin no more” is a perfect answer. But when things like that happen, to “go and sin no more” doesn’t really apply — or does it? I don’t reject that person. I might understand (not accept – understand) the reasons, but how and where do I start to love?

That person’s nickname is hanging on my IM bar as a constant reminder that I don’t have all the answers and that I have to learn to love. Not to “take it easy,” but to love in the way my Master loved, with the love that transformed people. To ask my “why” question, I need that kind of love, I think.

Writer: For the last three-and-a-half years Lt. Yuri Zelentsov, 34, together with his wife Katja and son Anton (age 6) have run a Multicultural Downtown Corps in Helsinki, Finland. He became a Salvo in 1991, in St.-Petersburg, Russia. Yuri and his wife believe in relationships rather than programs, and therefore whatever they do is all about building stronger relationships and getting alongside people.

Friday, February 23rd, 2007 Belief, Ecclesia, Thought

4 Comments to Sex changes and salvation?

To answer one of your very honest questions,
In my opinion out of respect for ‘the person’ you need to refer to her as ’she’ if you truly want to enter in to loving dialog with her.
As for the other questions, I suspect they’d change in the context of relationship.
Dion

Dion on February 25th, 2007

Thanks, Yuri, for these thoughts. Nice to hear from you again and to know you are well. Cheers.

John N on February 25th, 2007

Thanks for your honesty Yuri and being willing to wrestle with God on this issue. It isn’t an easy one but keep seeking God’s heart and be open to his challenge.