homosexuality?

 

There are those who like to say that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality.  Various verses are cited (out of context), and the verses that people use to show that homosexuality is wrong are explained away.  The world wants to change God's words and meanings into something more suitable to its sinful desires.  Nevertheless, the truth stands:  the Bible condemns homosexuality as a sin.  Let's look at what it says.

• Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."1 
• Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them" 
• 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or 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, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 
• Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, ²⁷and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. ²⁸And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

Homosexuality is clearly condemned by the Bible.  It goes against the created order of God who created Adam, a man, and then made Eve, a woman.  This is what God has ordained as the normal means by which we carry out his command to fill the earth Gen. 1:28.  What God has set up is what is right -- not what sinful man sets up. 

However, unlike other sins, homosexuality has a severe judgment administered by God Himself. This judgment is simple:  they are given over to their passions.  That means that their hearts are allowed to be hardened by their sins Romans 1:24.  As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing, and then they go and promote it and condemn others who don't participate in their sin.  So, without an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance and trusting in Jesus.  Without Jesus, they will have no forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, there is no salvation. Without salvation, there is only damnation in eternal hell. 

Just because someone is a homosexual does not mean that we cannot love him (or her) or pray for him (her).  Homosexuality is a sin, and like any other sin it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible.  It needs to be laid at the cross and repented of.

Please understand that I don't hate homosexuals.  I wouldn't care if my neighbor were gay.  I've had homosexual friends and have loved them the same as I would anyone else.  But, the Bible says homosexuality is a sin.  And, like all sinners, the person needs to be forgiven.  That can be found in Jesus.  He is the Lord, the Savior, the risen King.  I would say to gays that if you want to love another man, love Jesus -- not in a homosexual attitudinal sense, but in one of respect and trust.  After all, Jesus is God in flesh John 1:1,14 and he died to save sinners.  We are all sinners.

We Christians should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same as we would for any other person in sin.  It is not an issue of arrogance or judgmentalism.  It is a loving thing to do.  We don't want anyone to be lost due to their sin.  The homosexual is still made in the image of God -- even though he is in grave sin.  Therefore, we should show homosexuals the same dignity as anyone else with whom we come in contact.  Don't injure them.  Don't hate them.  However, this does not mean that you are to approve of their sin.  Don't compromise your witness for a socially acceptable opinion that is void of godliness and biblical truth.  Instead, stand firm in the word that God has revealed and patiently love him/her biblically, and pray for their salvation.

Finally, if you are a homosexual, please understand that I do not hate you nor do I judge you.  Sin is sin and the solution is found in Christ.  I know... I've had my own sins to deal with