I have come to the conclusion that this is where a major battle is currently being fought. So while many Christians can see that homosexuality is a wrong lifestyle that several have chosen and that others struggle with this, what much of the reaction in the public sphere is to is political activism.

This behaviour has been forced into the public sphere so (from their point of view) that homosexuality can be normalised—viewed as a right behaviour, celebrated, equalised with marriage, taught to children, etc. And I think that the message that Christians are to give to individuals may not be the same as they give to the public sphere. Now they may have to choose their methods more cleverly, but public opposition is allowed to be vocal, and the public opposition is not the same as evangelism.

Further Jesus was compassionate to sinners who knew they were. Jesus had more time for the tax collectors and prostitutes. But for those who were arrogant in their sin, Pharisees for example, Jesus was much harsher. You are right that a homosexual’s greatest need is Christ, and let Jesus deal with the conviction of sins (though we need to explain it). But to the bolshie activist who glories in his shame, I am not certain that speaking against them is wrong. Speaking up may be for their sake, but it is often for the sake of others who are in on the political discourse. If they are already hell bent, it may be that we are trying to prevent others from being persuaded there also. Shaming them may not win us favours with them but it may help fence-sitters reject their rhetoric.

But least we feel proud in how we respond, we need to remember we are sinners too. We need to avoid Phariseeism ourselves.