(Eph 4:14 NKJV) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

(Eph 4:15 NKJV) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

(Eph 4:16 NKJV) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The concept of "the body of Christ", is often used by Gay Christians seeking for dialog with the Mainstream church, and to be part of the church wide activities such as the Festival of Praise, Hillsong Conference, and Love Singapore. In reality, it is the Church that has rejected Gays and Gay Christians and not vice-versa, and duly excommunicated them from the body of Christ. We are a rejected people, longing for acceptance but duly ejected and thrown out. In a reflection of self condemnation, many gay christians have felt unworthy to be considered as part of the Body of Christ.

Our acceptance however is not based on whether the Body of Christ accepts us, but whether Jesus considers us as one of His own. It is more important to be "Church" to the GLBT community that God has set us in, rather than seek acceptance from the wider Church which shall never come.

What constitutes the body of Christ? The body of Christ is not just any church, but a church that acknowledges the headship or the rulership of Jesus Christ. Having Jesus as the Head of the Church, means that we are to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ on Earth. Many churches claim that Christ is the head, but in reality, Jesus is a very hard act to follow, in what He did and did not do. We have taken for granted that just becaue we are a Christian Church, we were somehow to be considered part of the body of Christ without the responsibilities associated with it.

Like the tribes of Israel in the book of Judges, the body of Christ are becoming more disunited where everyone does what they consider right in their own eyes. We are like children divided by new doctrines, interpreting the bible to suit our agenda and plotting new ways to come against the gay community. Maturity comes when we are able to look at our ourselves in the mirror and face the truth that we may not have been following all that Christ has planned for us. Like the children of Israel in the book of judges, we have left many idols in the church and have compromised in our theology. The following have become a snare to the church:-

We become an authentic church not because we have a Cross, or say the Nicene Creed, or have a religious liturgy and long ancient tradition, we become authentic when we chose to follow Christ instead of the ways of this world. Jesus led the way, by His life and ministry on Earth, and His attitude of humility and prayerful reflection.

(Mat 6:9 KJV) Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

(Mat 6:10 KJV) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

(Mat 6:11-15 KJV) Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The pathway to following Christ can be found in the Lord's Prayer,

a) Our primary purpose is to Praise and Worship God - Praising God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and acknowledging God's heavenly authority, power, and glory. We are to exalt His name.

b) We are to continue the ministry of Christ on earth, who led the way to bring from heaven, God's purpose and will. Where there is separation from God, we are to preach Christ, the Savior. Where there is sickness, to seek healing from God's heavenly grace. Where there is poverty, to seek heaven's bountiful provision.Where there is suffering to be God's hand of love, compassion and relief. Where there is brokenness, to bring healing and reconciliation.

c) A walk of dependence upon God for our daily physical subsistence. God does not give us tomorrow's manna, only for today. It is by God's grace that we become very wealthy, but God's way is that we depend on Him daily. Where there is abundance and wealth to use it as an opportunity to bless others far less fortunate and not to boast.

d) A walk of humility before God, keenly aware of our weakness and humanity, and the debt that we owe to Jesus. God's grace and mercy becomes our motivation to forgive those who come against us.

e) An awareness of ourselves, the temptations of pride, power, wealth, and self righteousness. A plead to God to lead us back into the correct path if we ever erred down the road of sin and destruction. And when we are trapped with no hope of escaping, and no way out, to pray to God for deliverance from snare of the Evil one.

I have a dream that one day the Body of Christ on Earth will reflect the character of Jesus Christ. It will not come until the church becomes more inclusive, showing God's love, grace and mercy, instead of being so quick to judge and to condemn.When God's Grace extends to the last people group in society, the GLBT community, we would have gone a long way to show that God's unconditional love and the Gospel message extends across the wide separation of culture, race, language, financial status, gender, sexual orientation.