By Don Skeels
In this series of articles we are dealing with moral issues and beyond any shadow of a doubt, the problem of homosexuality is a moral issue. If you were to make a list of the moral issues facing us today, this would have to be among the top ten and probably among the top three (along with abortion and euthanasia). The problems surrounding this issue are often clouded because of the emotional fervor attached to it. Let us lay aside our emotions and our opinions and focus on what God has to say about the problem of homosexuality.
At the very outset I want you to know that I make no apologies for what the Bible plainly teaches: homosexuality is a sin! If the Bible says anything, it says that those who practice homosexuality are living in sin and are going to loose their souls in hell. Read God’s view of homosexuality as stated in Deuteronomy 23:17, 18; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. All of these passages underscore the fact that the sexual act between same sex partners is a heinous sin. Those involved in homosexuality need to repent, which means to cease from all homosexual activity, and come to Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul said to the saints at Corinth: “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men (emphasis mine, das), nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed (baptized into Christ for the remission of sins, das), but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). That language could not be plainer. They were at one time involved in all kinds of sins including homosexuality, but had come out of that sinful lifestyle in obedience to the gospel of Christ.
Why then do people get involved in the sin of homosexuality? For one reason, those who are homosexuals will very often times say: “God made me this way!” But that is simply not true for why would God make some-one that way and then condemn them? The fact of the matter is that the Bible teaches that all sin is volitional, whether it is adultery, lying, stealing or homosexuality. We make a choice to do that which is contrary to God’s will. This is the heart of the issue. In Genesis 1 and 2, the Bible says that God made us male and female and the only provision he made for the home is that the man would leave his home and the woman would leave her home and the two would be joined together in that one flesh relationship. This is the only relationship that is ordained of God. Any-thing that deviates from God’s ordained plan of one man for one woman joining themselves together for life is sinful and wrong. That includes polygamy, living together without the benefit of marriage, unscriptural divorce and then taking another mate, or homosexual marriage. Anything that alters the sexual relationship of a man and a woman joined in holy matrimony is contrary to God’s will. You will undoubtedly notice that God made them “Adam and Eve,” he did not make them “Adam and Steve”!
With that in mind, what should be our attitude toward those who are involved in the sin of homosexuality? For one thing, I don’t believe we should think less of a homosexual than any other kind of sinner. There is a real danger in thinking that the sin of homosexuality is somehow a much bigger sin then lying or stealing. The Bible certainly does not teach this. In fact, the Bible teaches that sin is sin. All sin is a transgression of God’s law and will condemn us (Heb. 2:2-3). We need to always keep clearly fixed in our minds the fact that Jesus died on the cross to save sinners. He died for all sinners and that includes you and me! We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). Let us never be guilty of looking down upon a fellow human being because he is involved in sin. We should look upon all people as precious souls who need the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be ready and willing to present the truth to a lost and dying world, and let us never forget: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
If a person has been involved in the sin of homosexuality and is now living the Christian life, having been forgiven by the blood of Christ, they ought never to be identified as a homosexual, anymore than that individual who committed fornication in the past and has repented of it, should be identified as a fornicator. If God forgives, he forgets and I don’t think we can be right with God if we treat people any differently. We have no right to dehumanize someone be-cause of his past sinful life. Any person who has heard and obeyed the gospel of Christ in baptism should be looked upon as a hero! They’ve overcome the world and are now living for Jesus as a saint in his kingdom. We should rejoice and embrace all who have been “delivered out of the power of darkness, and (have been) translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13). Let us overcome and put away all sinful conduct and continue to strive for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 2-3
July 4, 1996