When God Speaks Clearly … So Must We (Part One)
Preface
Because there are such strong feelings and opinions regarding this subject – on which God speaks clearly and consistently – I moved up the two key points that will be in essence the titles of Parts One and Two, respectively. Some will agree and love these messages; others will hate them and me along with that. My hope is all take time to watch, listen or read the entirety.
- God’s Condemnation of Sins of the Practices of Homosexuality Throughout the Bible (I chose this one only because June has been designated homosexual “pride” month. I am not selectively sin bashing because all who know and follow my teaching of God’s Word understand that I speak to what God pointed to and call out all sin (mine and yours.)
- The Love, Compassion, and Forgiveness God Extends to All Sinners (including you & me)
Next week we will examine the Good News that must always accompany or be offered as a replacement for the bad news. I will also remind or help you understand that temptation is not sin. The practice of the three types of sin John spelled out in his epistle constitutes sin. Remember Jesus was tempted by satan in the desert in all three ways as well.
Other than racism, there is probably not a subject that stirs up more people than homosexuality and all that surrounds it as letters continue to be added to the acronym to be more inclusive. June has been deemed another “pride” month to celebrate an agenda and practices God clearly condemns in His Word. I will be accused, like many others, of being a hater and speaking hateful words. That certainly is not true, but only the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives will convince open their eyes to truth, not anything I write or say.
As a Bible teacher, I do my best to write and teach in the manner in which all Christians are commanded—speaking the truth in love. (from Ephesian 4:15) The problem is people are on such opposite sides of this, they cannot agree on the definition of the word love. People define love in ways that suit their beliefs or agendas—seldom the way God does.
As Christians, most of us are deeply troubled by the ongoing media blitzes that attempt to force this ungodly, biblically-contrarian agenda on us—especially our children and grandchildren. It is forced upon them in many schools. Two mommies and two daddies as one example. The saddest part, as I alluded to above, is those of who disagree are labeled haters, bigots, and a few new words.
Bullying. Everyone dislikes bullies. There is a form of “bullying” going on here people are afraid to discuss because that word is typically only used of people who disagree by those who support their agenda when they do not get their ways. In the workplace and our military, people can lose jobs or face persecution for speaking out. So most do not. Yet they are forced to go through training that defies the Word of God.
The law of the land. Every American has the right to believe and practice their beliefs within the permissions or constraints of laws that exist. That includes what used to be referred to as gay rights, although that nomenclature changes frequently. Most agree discrimination is wrong. The problem in recent years is what is considered discriminatory has grown wildly and includes things most Americans strongly disagree with. Again many are afraid to speak up because the right of free speech now applies only to those who hold politically correct and recently created radical views of what societal norms should look like. What happened to freedom of speech and thought? Objections based on religious reasons?
This agenda has increased the downwardly spiraling moral decay of this nation and destruction of the family as God defined it. First there was the heinous SCOTUS decision to grant rights to adults to kill unborn babies all the way to the point of birth. Second, as of this writing, thirty-seven states have laws that allow same-sex practices never intended by founding fathers, much less God Himself.
Did you know sixteen states, including some considered liberal, still have (anti) sodomy laws?
I don’t think they enforce them. In free countries, citizens can pass whatever laws they want, regardless of the spiritual implications and consequences. I will speak to that latter. So sadly, these laws exist, and people can behave accordingly until or if they are changed. In America, you can abort on demand, and you can engage in sexual sins God called abominations, among other things. Let’s dive into His Word.
- The Condemnation (by God, not us) of Sins Related to Homosexuality Throughout the Bible
Let’s be clear on this. Temptation is not a sin. Jesus was tempted by satan in all three areas of sin just as we are, but He did not sin. Falling into sin comes when we yield to temptation. That include sins of homosexuality. But being a homosexual and having those lustful yearnings for same sex that most of have for opposite sex is not in itself a sin. And you will notice in some places I am going to take you, homosexuality is listed among a number of sins when practiced
This subject also created division within the Christian church (which satan loves). Many Christians and their churches are confused or flatly wrong in the positions they take concerning this subject. Following is clear biblical teaching on this subject—what God said in His Word regarding practices of homosexuality, matters related to them, and consequences they bring.
It is imperative to note that the practice of these acts have been called out as sin throughout the Bible, not just in one or two places or eras. They cover the entire period of Bible history. Also note that other world religions condemn these practices as well. The verses cited come from these parts of the Bible, Jesus, and men who wrote it:
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- The Creation of Mankind
- Thru the days of Abraham
- The Books of the Law
- The Prophets
- Jesus
- The Apostle Paul
- Jude (the half-brother of Jesus)
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God Created Man and Woman – two sexes
“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them…” Genesis 1:27-28a
We are born with our gender identity. The X and Y chromosomes are what they are. XX female. XY male. Nothing a person can do can change that. Surgery cannot. Writing or listing different pronouns cannot. God had you in mind when you were conceived and your gender established.
The Days of Abraham – Perverse homosexual behavior in Sodom/Gomorrah caused their destruction
“…the men of Sodom—surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” Genesis 19: 4-5
“just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these angels indulged in sexual perversion and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 7,8
Those who oppose this view say their sin was the desire to rape the men not the same-sex act. The verses in Jude do not support that and add that their punishment is Hell.
The Books of the Law
“You shall not sleep with a male as one sleeps with a female; it is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22
“If there is a man who sleeps with a male as those who sleep with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they must be put to death. They have brought their own deaths upon themselves.” Leviticus 20:13
Those who oppose these verses say we are no longer under the law; that Christians tend to cherry-pick the ones they agree with or say no longer apply.
The Prophets
Therefore, you prostitute (Israel), hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD God says: “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your obscene practices with your lovers … your younger sister, who lives south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. Yet you have not merely walked in their ways and committed their abominations; but, as if that were too little you also acted more corruptly in your conduct than they. As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “Sodom, your sister and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done! Ezekiel 16: 35-37; 46-48
Some will argue the sins of homosexual practice are only implied-not stated, but the references to Sodom make it clear these acts and worse were among them.
Jesus
“Jesus answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” Matthew 19:4-6
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” Matthew 15:19-20a
Jesus’ words are perhaps the strongest argument against same-sex marriage because He quotes what God spoke in Genesis 1. Some argue He never said the word homosexual, but He clearly said marriage is one man and woman. He said God created two distinct sexes. And since adultery is used in verse 19 above, sexual immorality would include sexual sins also discussed in the Old Testament passages. Jesus was always quoting or referring to the Law.
One final thought on the words of Jesus that I believe apply to same-sex couples adopting children and teaching them that lifestyle is the same as any other and those who do the same whether in schools, governments, and churches.
“And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea. “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes! Matthew 18:2-7
We will finish this next week when we examine the strong words from the Apostle Paul especially in Romans 1.
For Christ’s sake,
