| In this
Perspective Article, I wish to address homosexuality, a very
controversial issue in our culture. For those who find it difficult 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 I 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.
|