As news begins to circulate the Web, it becomes clear this is a sad day for Christian music and fans of Ray Boltz. In an article on Friday, September 12 (2008) in the gay magazine, Washington Blade, Boltz announced he was gay (and had been for most of his life). There are echoes of this announcement from his website (www.rayboltz.com) where he writes “Still, I believed that if people knew who I really was, I would never be accepted.”

It is a sad day indeed. As Christians, we struggle with sin all our lives. The “sin gene” is “hard-wired” into our DNA but yet we are called to deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow (Matthew 16:24).

Several years ago, Carmen wrote a song which came to mind as soon as I began to read about Ray Boltz’s decision that he was gay: “America’s dead and dying hand is on the threshold of the Church, while the spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah vex us all. When it gets to the point when people would rather come out of the closet than clean it, it’s the sign the Judgement of God is gonna fall. “ (Lyrics from “America Again”)

My heart breaks for Ray Boltz, his wife and children. Moreover, if Ray truly is a child of God, he can count on God’s punishment because we know the advice of Solomon in Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, remember the words of Paul to believers (which Ray Boltz says he is) in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Remember most of all, this is not the end of the world. Yes, this is disappointing but we must always keep our eyes on the creator and not His creation. Ray is loved by Jesus–just like you and me. My prayer is for Ray to repent of this, reconcile with his family, and try to heal the hurt that has been dealt not to us, but to his testimony and his family.

Read this great article touching on several points often brought up not only about homosexuality but resisting any sin.