Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage
A hot topic, as of lately, has been the same-sex marriage issue. It would appear as if it is only an eventuality before same-sex unions become the norm throughout the country.
Question… What should be the Christians reaction to this trend? Should Christians berate and belittle those who are homosexual, and those who endorse homosexuality?
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (I Timothy 1:5, ESV)
In short, the answer is… NO!
We can see from the above scripture that it is expected of us to always to be gracious to people, regardless of whatever the situation may be. Unfortunately, certain people have taken it upon themselves to single out this particular sin and demonize a group of people. God has called us to demonstrate the love of Christ. But by becoming vitriolic towards these persons, who are created in the Imago Dei (Image of God), we act contrary to what our Lord has commanded.
Perhaps the reason for this is due to the gaining momentum of the gay and lesbian lobby within the political and social realm. To this I would appeal to I Corinthians 5:12-13:
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (ESV)
It appears that Paul is telling us we need to introspectively police within our own realm… the church. We need to hold each other, brothers and sisters in the faith, to the Christian standard. Those outside of the church are without the Holy Spirit. Imposing upon them Christian ethics and standards will degenerate into nothing more than a form of Moralism.
Question… So, shall we endorse, embrace and support homosexuality and same-sex unions?
Again… NO!
Scripture is clear on this, as is seen in Genesis chapter nineteen (19) in which God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah as well as Leviticus 18:22,
22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. (ESV)
And despite what some may claim, there is reference in the New Testament as well,
Romans 1:26-27,
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 6:9-11,
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (ESV)
1 Timothy 1:9-10,
9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, (ESV)
There is no mistaking the Lord’s view on homosexuality. Sometimes Christians in an attempt to be conciliatory towards homosexuals will inadvertently swing the pendulum too far to the other extreme and, in so doing, make a concession that God Himself, has not. If we compromise the word of God, the Holy Bible, and subject it to deconstructionism in order to conform it to what we want it to say, we place ourselves in a precarious position. This becomes dangerous in that the will of man is allowed to take over the will of God. We can easily engage in a breaking of the second (2nd) commandment,
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me. (Exodus 20:4-5, ESV)
We, in effect, create within our mind our own version of God, as opposed to the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture. This is tantamount to idolatry. If we are worshipping a god we have created within our minds, then we are not worshipping the one true God.
How then shall the Christian approach this issue …?
We have in effect, already answered the same,
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)
We need to be gracious and loving to those who are trapped within this sin and be able to relay to them that such a lifestyle is outside of the will of God. That repentance is needed along with trust in Christ. That He is the Son of God, who was crucified for their sin and raised up on the third day as a testimony of His victory over death. And who now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. We, in gentleness, give them the gospel and trust in the Holy Spirit to do a work according the will of God.
It is through the power of the Holy Spirit this sin can be overcome. This is not to say there will never be a struggle with this or any other sin, or the occassion to fall, as we all are capable of the same. But regeneration will bring a new nature along with new desires. God’s wisdom and enlightenment will open people’s eyes that they might see clearly and desire to crucify their own flesh and mortify their sin as an offering to Him. A testimony to the love held for Christ, in that He so selflessly gave Himself up for us. We, likewise, would humbly offer up ourselves to Him in restraint from sin.
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23, ESV)