There are those who argue that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. That is sheer nonsense. Homosexuality is condemned as a sin against God in both the Old and New Testaments. It was one of the sins for which the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed (Genesis 19). It was specifically singled out in the Mosaic Law as "an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). In fact, the Mosaic Law prescribed the death penalty for such activity (Leviticus 20:13).
As if that wasn't clear enough, Paul makes it all too clear what he is talking about when he says, in Romans 1:26-27, "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
Furthermore, in the New Testament Paul specifically condemns homosexual activity. He says it is unrighteousness and that it will keep one from inheriting the kingdom of God:
Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards,
nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul again refers to the sin
of homosexuality. He classifies homosexuals with those who are "lawless
and rebellious," "ungodly," "unholy and profane" (1 Timothy 1:9-10).
Many humanist Christian leaders have tried to explain away these scriptures.
In the process, they have endorsed homosexuality as an "alternative lifestyle,"
and they have tried to justify the ordination of practicing homosexuals.
I have often heard the claim that all expressions of love should be accepted,
because after all, God is love! How could a loving God condemn people,
just because they love (are sexually attracted to) members of the same
sex, they ask. Should we then accept pedophilia, sex between men
and young boys? Isn't it also an expression of love? Recently in Missouri
there was a case of a man who was having an ongoing sexual relation with
his horse! Should we also accept bestiality as a form of expression of
God's love? How far down this perverse road do we go in the name of "God's
love"? These religious leaders are caught up in spiritual darkness.
They are the type referred to by Paul when he wrote: "Though they
know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,
they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those
who practice them" (Romans 1:32).
The fact is that Jesus had a lot to say about sexual morality, and
what He had to say clearly rules out homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle
before God.
In Matthew 19 Jesus taught that all sexual unions must be judged in reference to God's original intention and not in terms of human opinion and desire. And Jesus proceeded to point out that God's original intention was that "a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5).
In other words, Jesus clearly taught that the only moral sexual relationship is the one that occurs within marriage
Increasingly, the homosexual community is responding to criticisms of
its lifestyle by arguing: "We are born as homosexuals. Being homosexual
is as natural as being left handed. We have no more choice about our sexual
orientation than a person has about his skin color. We should therefore
be given special civil rights protection like other minority groups."
"But I was born this way ... God made me this
way." Born that way ... perhaps. It sounds good. But it is a lie
of Satan. The Word of God places no condemnation upon a person's
sex, skin color, or national origin. In fact, the Bible says that "God
is no respecter of persons" (Romans 2:11). But the Bible clearly condemns
a sexual preference for a person of the same sex. Would a loving God who
sent His Son to die for the sins of the world condemn someone for something
they have no control over? The answer is obvious. But God didn't
make anyone that way. God created man perfect, but sin entered the
world through one man (Romans 5:12). Since that Fall, all men have
a predisposition to sin. How is homosexuality any different than
stealing, adultery, or murder in that regard? If I am a kleptomaniac,
does it make it right for me to steal? No! It is still sin;
it is still rebellion against God's will.
Supposing (and I don't doubt that this will eventually happen!) they find a gene that makes people predisposed toward pedophilia? Does that make it OK to be a pedophile? Of course not, what absurd logic! How is homosexuality any different? It is still a sin! Certainly there are people who seem to be naturally tempted by a person of the same sex. Such temptation derives from the sin nature that all of us are born with. But that does not mean that giving in to the temptation is okay. After all, people with a normal sexual orientation are often tempted to have sexual relations outside of marriage, but the Bible clearly condemns both fornication and adultery. God expects us to rise above our fallen nature, and holds us accountable when we willfully refuse to do so. "There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24). It was Jesus who said to the sinner, "Go, and sin no more."
You cannot say you "love" someone, and at the same time tell them that
God approves of something He specifically says He abhors. That is
the same as patting a starving man on the head and saying, "Be well fed"
(James 2:16). Woe to those who call good evil and evil good (Isaiah
5:20)! It would be better for them if they tied a millstone around
their
neck and jumped into the sea (Mark 9:42)! God also holds accountable
those who are in positions of spiritual authority yet fail to proclaim
His will. Just as spiritual leaders are to be counted worthy of double
honor (1 Timothy 5:17), they shall also receive a greater condemnation
(James 3:1). Like Ezekiel (33:6), the sinner's blood will be on their
head.
Furthermore, there is no credible scientific evidence whatsoever that
sexual preference is genetically determined like skin color. Several scientists
have made the claim, including some recently, but none of their studies
have stood the test of scientific investigation. In fact, all the evidence
points to the fact that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice.
Another response of homosexuals to their critics has been to label
them "homophobic." This is a very effective response, because no one wants
to be accused of being prejudiced.
But a phobia is an irrational fear. Is it irrational to fear homosexuals? I think not. They are carriers of deadly diseases. They are determined to destroy the God ordained concept of the family. And the Bible teaches that their unchecked presence in any society will ultimately result in God pouring out His wrath on that society. As you can see, there are some very rational reasons to fear homosexuals.Let's consider for a moment the homosexual political agenda. It's a radical one that most people are not really aware of. If enacted, it would serve to undermine the Biblical concept of the family.
The first goal, of course, is to repeal all state laws against sodomy. Until 1961 every state in the Union had a law against sodomy. Since that time, state after state has repealed its anti-sodomy law due to pressure and threats from homosexual activists and organizations like the ACLU despite the fact that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the constitutional right of states to pass such laws.
Another goal high on the political agenda is to get special laws enacted that would prohibit any kind of discrimination against homosexuals. The proposed laws are broad in scope. Some would prohibit a person from refusing to rent a room in his home to a homosexual. Others would go so far as to penalize a church for refusing to hire a homosexual, and organizations like the Boy Scouts would be required to recruit homosexual leaders. The most ominous laws are those that would classify verbal attacks on the homosexual lifestyle as "hate crimes." The latter laws could be applied to media ministers as well as preachers in the pulpit.
Pressure is mounting from homosexual activists groups and their allies
(the ACLU, the NEA, and NOW) for the legalization of homosexual marriages.
Certain other demands go hand in hand with this one. One is that homosexual
couples be given the same tax breaks as traditional families. Another is
that such couples be given equal consideration in the adoption of children.
And, of course, there are demands that the homosexual "family" be presented
in the public schools as an alternative lifestyle.
Satan has attempted to disguise the sinfulness of homosexuality by
having it dubbed "the gay lifestyle." But God will not be mocked. The Bible
teaches that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).
The Apostle Paul says that homosexuals suffer the consequence of their sin by "receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error" (Romans 1:27). The truth of that statement has always been evidenced in the psychological suffering of homosexuals.
But the statement has taken on new significance in recent years with the sudden outbreak of specifically homosexual diseases like AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), originally known as "the Gay Plague."
The result of their filthy sexual practices and their gross promiscuity is that the homosexual community is plagued with disease. Two-thirds of all AIDS cases result from homosexual activity, and homosexuals account for one-half of all syphilis cases even though they constitute only 1% of the population.
It is no wonder that the average age of homosexuals dying with AIDS is 39. The average age of homosexuals dying of all other causes is 41. And only 1% of homosexuals live to the age of 65! That compares to 73% of heterosexual males who live to age 65 or over.
Homosexuality is not an alternative "lifestyle." It is an alternative
"deathstyle"!
Is there hope for the homosexual? Yes, there is. The only hope is Jesus
Christ. Through the power of His Spirit, the homosexual can be delivered
from bondage to his sin, either by receiving complete deliverance from
his perverted lust or by receiving the power to control the lust.
The most encouraging message any homosexual could ever be given is one contained in the Word of God in I Corinthians 6:9-11. This passage begins with some very bad news, but it ends with incredibly good news. The bad news is put in the following words:
Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Paul minces no words in this statement, and the impact is devastating. Homosexuals are condemned with the worst of sinners. But in the very next verse, Paul provides a wonderful glimpse of hope for the homosexual:
And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
Isn't that marvelous? Those words were addressed to saved children of God! Paul says, "And such were some of you." Yes, some of the Christians at Corinth had been sexual perverts, but they had been delivered from their bondage by the power of God in Christ Jesus. Their sins had been forgiven and forgotten by a God who does not wish that any should perish (Hebrews 8:12 and 2 Peter 3:9).
Like all sinners, the homosexual will find forgiveness and deliverance
when he gets on his knees and repents of his sin. He will also find acceptance
in the Church.
The Church has been severely criticized for having a "condemning attitude"
toward homosexuals. The criticism is unjustified.
The Church cannot receive homosexuals into its fellowship when they
come without repenting, demanding that the Church endorse their sin. To
do so would be equivalent to the Church accepting adulterers who brag of
their sexual conquests and refuse to repent.
I believe we should embrace the sinner, yes, even the homosexual, as a lost soul that God loves and Jesus died for, while at the same time still renouncing and reviling the sin of homosexuality. We need to stop being afraid to speak the truth in love, just because of the current politically correct winds or societal "enlightenment," or because of crys of "homophobia." Yes, the Church is a hospital for sinners and not a spiritual Phi Beta Kappa society. But the Church is a hospital for sinners who are willing to confess their sins and seek reconciliation with God.
God hasn't changed, and His Word hasn't changed. Let God be true and every man a liar!
And that's the way I see it...
Fred Weeks