FIVE VERSES: Homosexuality7 min read
The Bible is God’s Word, we are God’s people, and therefore we must both know and stand for Scripture. No opinion or philosophy or political understanding holds any weight unless it is based upon the Word of God. And despite that many would want to evade or compromise the issue, Scripture even and especially speaks clearly on homosexuality. So then, since God’s Word is our authority as believers, we should invariably agree with it, which is why we must understand what God says about this issue. The question is, will we accept truth?
Genesis 18:20 “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous…”
The sin of Sodom was, of course, homosexuality: no truthful person can deny this. God calls this “very grievous,” because it pained Him to see such behavior, which is why He destroyed the city. While Scripture does often give commentary on this event, the event itself (Gen. 18-19) should be enough to convict us of God’s attitude regarding our topic.
However, some would bring up Ezekiel 16:49, which says “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” But we must remember the context of the passage, which is Israel’s sin. The reason God lists such sins like idleness and gluttony was because they perfectly corresponded to Israel’s condition at that time. Sodom certainly was guilty of these things. (Isn’t it interesting the state of living that was associated with Sodom’s sexual perversion? There is nothing to celebrate “pride” for if this is where our society is headed.) Nevertheless, it does not negate the homosexual emphasis of that city, for verse 50 says “And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.”
But there is more. Wherever Sodom is otherwise mentioned, the sin of emphasis was homosexuality. Look at Jude 1:7 – “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” And of course for the true emphasis we can look to the record of the event in Genesis 19:4-9.
As a side note, isn’t it interesting that God emphasized the sins that Sodom itself emphasized? They were certainly proud of their sins, especially the sexual ones. So then, because that was Sodom’s main focus, God dealt with that specific sin in a special way. That should give us a hint as to how we deal with sins in society. If society and the media are emphasizing homosexuality, Christians have the responsibility to uphold Biblical standards for that sin in the midst of such propaganda. It is Biblical to deal with specific sins.
Leviticus 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Also Leviticus 20:13 “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.)
In both Leviticus passages, homosexuality is clearly a sin and is listed with several other sins like adultery, incest, and bestiality. As they are disgusting to us, so God calls them “abominations.” Some people object “Yes, but this is Leviticus – Law, which we are not under anymore. Plus, this is the same book that says not to eat pork!” Let’s quickly look at this.
Not being under Law does not mean being free from morality and obedience, but rather from its strictness and its ceremonial ordinances. However, while God’s pattern for punishment (such as stoning) and ceremony (like not eating pork or Sabbath-keeping), His standard of morality does not change, for then would His character change, which is impossible. This is why when it comes to issues such as homosexuality or even things in the Ten Commandments, it is legitimate to speak from these passages as proof for God’s definition of what is sin or what is not, especially since they are re-established in the New Testament. The ordinances, ceremonies, and punishments of the Law are done away with, because Law was for the Old Testament people of God. But the morality behind many laws is still very much alive.
Romans 1:27 “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
These statements are extremely clear, and the surrounding verses only emphasize them.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
This passage tells us the root of the problem with society: society serves the creation rather than the Creator. This is the basis for so-called “equal rights” and “tolerance.” Believers understand that God must be first, but because man rejects that, he has also inflicted upon himself sad consequences: “a recompense of their error” (probably STDs) and a reprobate mind. This passage is sobering.
1 Timothy 1:9,10 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient.. for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind…
With this description of the purpose for the Law, it cannot be much clearer that this that homosexuals are living in sin and need to examine God’s Law. (Yes, just as do liars, and thieves, and false teachers, and adulterers.) So then, when it comes to apologetics and evangelism, we must remember not to constantly debate on so-called “sexual orientation” or about the transgender issue: we must simply resort to God’s Word. “The Law of the Lord (God’s Word) is perfect (without lack in any way), converting the soul.” And because of that Law, the unconverted and unrepentant sinner stands condemned and unable to inherit the Kingdom of God, as 1 Corinthians 6 says. We must, then, be compassionate toward these dear lost souls, and we must remember these verses, understanding that the Word of God is key in reaching them.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 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 mankind, … shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed…
Oh thank God that there is still hope! After a homosexual has understood his sin and repented of it, he can claim as the Corinthians “I have been washed: I was living in sin, but not anymore!” Let us not only be Christians who stand on the first part of these verses, but let us remember the power of the gospel to change hearts. Let us be compassionate toward homosexuals, who are savable souls just like any others. God’s view of homosexuality is that it is sin, and that merits wrath, just as with Sodom. But He doesn’t end there (He is longsuffering): He offers a cure through His Son Who also paid for our abominable sin of rejecting Him. We should be excited about such grace! Not only that, but we should be open to spreading it in the same gentle manner as our Lord Jesus conducted Himself in.