The Purpose Perspective by Brad Sherman

The Christian Position on Homosexuality

In this Perspective Article, I wish to address homosexuality, a very controversial issue in our culture. Unfortunately, it seems that some Christians are unable to articulate the Christian position on this issue. I hope this brief article helps.

I will speak to five elements of this issue:

1)  Is it Sin?
2)  Forgiveness
3)  Sexual Orientation at Birth?
4)  The Effect on Society
5)  The Christian’s Attitude Toward Homosexuals

Is it Sin?
I have often heard people say that the Bible has nothing to say against homosexuality. Obviously, those who make such statements have not read the Bible. The Bible is quite clear; homosexuality is a sinful perversion of the natural use of sexuality which invokes the judgement of God. Is perversion too strong a word? No. Webster defines perversion as ... “any of various sex acts or practices deviating from what is considered normal; sexual deviation.” Biblically, homosexuality is not normal (natural). Again, the following passages make this quite clear.

    (Romans 1:22, 26-28 NKJV)  Professing to be wise, they became fools, ... 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

    (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.


Forgiveness
God hates sin, but He loves sinners. The passage from 1 Corinthians above continues...
    (1 Corinthians 6:11) 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 and by the Spirit of our God
This verse makes it equally clear that  Jesus Christ offers forgiveness for all sin, including homosexuality. Forgiveness comes on the basis of repentance.


Sexual Orientation at Birth?
Whether a person is born with homosexual tendencies or not we do not know for sure. However, this is a moot point. Even if some people are born with homosexual leanings, that does not make it normal. There are many birth conditions that are considered abnormal, and we make great efforts to correct or prevent these conditions; we don’t just tell the person with a birth defect that their condition is normal for them. Promoting the idea that homosexuality is normal for some people is a denial of the problem. We should make great effort to prevent homosexuality and help homosexuals get healed from their condition.
    (Mark 2:17)  When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."


The Effect on Society
The Christian Scriptures have long been the bedrock on which our nation rests. When we remove this absolute standard for right and wrong, morality and all that is stable becomes relative to the whims of perverse minds. Homosexual activists are a very small minority who are trying to impose their immoral standards on a larger majority. Yes,  sometimes venomous attitudes emerge and it is easier to be silent. But if we remain the silent majority, then we will silently watch as the very meaning of morality, family, and truth is redefined and our society moves toward relativism, lawlessness, and instability. As Christians, we must enter this debate and be heard whenever the opportunity presents itself, and there is no place more important to be heard than the voting booth.
    (Proverbs 29:2)  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.


The Christian’s Attitude Toward Homosexuals
Though we may have strong feelings and express them strongly, believing that homosexuality is abnormal and wrong does not call for hatred, harshness or unkind behavior toward homosexuals. As Christians, we know that there is a spiritual dynamic to this issue, a spiritual warfare that is being waged against the souls of humanity. We must remember that we are on the side of humanity, helping to set people spiritually free from an enemy who wants to keep them prisoners to sin. Jesus Christ offers freedom to all who come to him, whatever their prison may be. We must know the truth and consistently offer it to those in need, even if they are unaware of their need.