Hey Trey,

You don't know me, but I saw your new music video for your song, "Hey Jesus." A song that some are calling an LGBT prayer for love. 

You had a few questions for God and made some bold statements. As a follower of Jesus, I would like to help answer these questions and address your comments in love, sharing the amazing grace that was offered to me when I had my own questions for God and struggled with what the world told me and what the Word of God said.

Your struggle could not have been easy. You being the former lead singer of the Christian rock band, Everyday Sunday, and then losing tons of fans and support after coming out as a gay man in 2016. Along with going through a divorce from your wife of seven years and the mother of your two children, you experienced a very difficult time and I apologize for any cruelty you suffered, especially from the Christian community. Truth is imperative, but that is never an excuse for unkindness or hypocrisy. 

In your song, you say, "I know that I could never change. I tried so hard, brought so much pain. And I just wanna be loved for who I am." You are right; you could never change on your own, and I can't fathom the sorrow you bore in trying to carry a weight that was never meant for you to carry. 

I myself may not have battled with the same sin, but I did have a great deal of pride and anger issues that, no matter how hard I tried, I always failed to control. But I want you to know there is hope. I called myself a Christian for 32 years, and it was not until I realized that I had to surrender to Jesus as the Lord of my life (Roman 10:9-10) that I was free from the slavery of sin (Galatians 5:1). 

Although we as believers fall into sin, the Holy Spirit within us won't let us stay in sin (Romans 6:1-23, 1 John 5:4). No sin or lifestyle can keep us from accepting the irresistible grace God offers us; however, once we are transformed, it is impossible to continue living in rebellion to God (1 John 3:6). We have a loving Holy God who is too merciful and just leave you and me the way we are in our sin. His love, mercy, and grace are so powerful it completely transforms us.

You also asked, "I just want to love like everyone else. I was wonderin' since you made me this way, do you want me to fall in love?" Yes, He wants you to fall in love; with Him first (Matthew 22:37, Exodus 20:3, Luke 14:26). And if you love Him, you will not be concerned about wanting to love like the world; instead, you will desire His desires, and you will love like Christ. 

The struggle with same-sex attraction is the result of exchanging God’s truth for a lie (Romans 1:24-27), ultimately leading to a lifestyle that bars us from the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 9-11). However, there is hope when we honor God as the rightful Lord of our lives. I only started to truly love my wife and kids when I put God above them. It seems counterintuitive, but we are mistaken if we think that God thinks or acts like us (Isaiah 55:8). 

Finally, you ask, "Hey, Jesus, can you hear me now? It's been a while since I came out. I was wonderin' do you love me the same?" God's attitude toward you has not changed because you were never truly in right standing with Him, which requires the kind of surrender that leads to the denying of ourselves and our desires. 

None of us seek after God, not even one of us (Romans 3:11, Psalm 14:3, 53:3). We deserve His wrath, but we have a merciful God who has the power to completely change us because Jesus took the wrath meant for those that put their trust in Him. That is the gospel message—the good news—when we realize that Jesus paid for all the sins of those who place their full trust in Him. 

You can't hold anything back. I held onto my pride and anger until it nearly destroyed my family and me. Won't you consider a life where Jesus is your Lord, not just by name but by trusting in Him? You will find yourself alive in Christ and in fellowship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and your old self crucified to the cross.

Sincerely,

Samuel Farag