Opposing or contradicting public
opinion isn’t easy, especially when society firmly supports and readily
accepts behavior totally contrary to God’s Word! Armed with the mighty
Word of God, we are not only to reject our own temptations, but are to be
ever diligent in exposing the world’s ungodliness to others.
Taking care not to be unkind or
self-righteous, we Christians need to take a firm stand on Scripture, being
careful not to indulge in our own sanctimonious prejudices. As we speak up and
out against today’s ever worsening world, if we base our stand, regardless of
the subject, purely on God’s inerrant Word, then we are presenting God’s
teachings, God’s truths, and not our own biases! But we must honestly and openly
oppose those who deny the Word of God; the very Word that proclaims the
sinfulness of homosexuality.
The Bible definitely speaks out against
defilement of the body. (Galatians 65:19; Leviticus 18:20-23) The ‘wondrously
made’ bodies of both male and female – created by Almighty God - present the
oneness of man and woman (husband and wife), and the miracle of procreation.
There can be no denying these facts! Neither can it be denied that any type of
sexual activity that uses the body contrary to it natural purpose is abusing the
body. Homosexuality is such an abuse.
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as
with woman: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)
“If a
man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed
an abomination, they will surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon
them.” (Leviticus 20:13)
Such punishment may seem barbaric, yet,
at the time of these extremely harsh punishments, people lived under the Mosaic
Covenant and were fully aware of the severe consequences experienced by those
who broke these laws. These laws were of God and were to be adhered to
faithfully, or death could result. Homosexuality at that time was an abomination
against God (and still is) and fell under those strict laws! Furthermore, these
laws not only revealed man’s inability to obey God, but prepared man for God’s
future plan of salvation through Jesus Christ and not through law (works)!
(Ephesians 2:9; Romans 3:28)
Too often, however, only the Old
Testament with its archaic punishments is used to denounce homosexuality.
In truth, the New Testament also presents the sinfulness of homosexuality.
“…even …women did change the natural use into
that which is against nature: and likewise also the men leaving the natural use
of their women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working
that which is unseemly (indecent) ...” (Romans 1:26-32: I Corinthians 6:9)
It must also be remembered that
homosexuality was the reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding
areas. (Read Genesis 19:1-26 to comprehend both God’s wrath and His ultimate
fiery judgment!) God hated sin then and, because God NEVER changes (James 1:17;
Hebrews 13:8), neither has His opinion of sin. Homosexuality, whether yesterday,
today or tomorrow, is wrong in God’s eyes!
Thankfully, because of Jesus’ shed
blood, because of His mercy and grace, He paid our sin debt on the cross, and
the harsh penalties under the Mosaic Law have been abandoned. “For this is my
(Jesus) blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of
sins.” (Matthew 26:28) Because of Jesus Christ’s death, burial and
resurrection, today no sin is too severe, too heinous, too big or too small for
the cross to handle! BUT… one must first confront his or her sin(s), genuinely
repent, and accept through faith Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (I John
1:9), or the cross is useless, and sin will be the victor with eternal damnation
its reward. (Mark 3:28-29)
Standing up for God can be a daunting
task, nevertheless, a task every believer should be undertaking! When firmly
supported by solid biblical proof, stating that a homosexual lifestyle is a sin
is not being self-righteous, only honest. Explaining what God’s Word clearly
says regarding sin, homosexuality included, isn’t displaying contempt or a
holier-than-thou attitude, instead it reveals a staunch belief in the Lord and a
sincere desire to share God’s Word with those who don’t know or understand His
Word.
“If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8)
