Homosexuality

* * * This Christian's Perspective * * *

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT)

There are many, many things that we (both the just and unjust alike) do wrong on a regular basis... and the fact that we crucify the LGBT community for unrighteousness is just wrong. It seems like we make the homosexual community the poster child for damnable behavior. Now... in no way do I go along with sin of any kind, in whatever degree or intensity or degeneration or abomination it might be. I do not condone sin. Neither do I condone mean-spiritedness when Jesus advocated that we love our neighbors as ourselves.

I believe when we know the right thing to do and we continue to do the wrong anyways, we crucify again for ourselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame (Heb. 6:6) by confessing Christ and then doing the very things He suffered to bring us out of. I reiterate again, I do not condone sin. Some will think that I make too light of homosexuality, seeing that the Bible calls it an abomination (Lev. 18:22). What I do protest is judging our neighbors and beating them down with the word of God in a self-righteous, sanctimonious piety, and holier-than-thou religiosity under the guise of righteous indignation. It's mean-spiritedness, and is not an example of how Jesus responded to sinners during His time on earth.

One thing the Bible is clear on is judging. Jesus said in Matthew 7, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you use to judge others, you will be judged the same; and with the measuring stick you use on others, it will be measured back to you. Like a boomerang, it comes right back to the person that threw it out. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say here my brother let me remove this little speck of homosexuality from your eye, when you have a big plank of hypocrisy in your own? First remove the plank from your own eye, and THEN you will be able to see clearly to help your brother with his speck."

James 2:10 states that whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. When we turn the mirror on our own conscience, we will see that we really have no stones to throw at others (John 8:9). But rather, we should be on the altar ourselves seeking help for our faults. There, but by the grace of God, go I.

The apostle Paul said in Galatians 6, "My brothers, if a man is overtaken in ANY trespass, you who are SPIRITUAL restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourselves lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill THE LAW OF CHRIST." Because we are not under the law of Moses where it was considered a capital offense and they were killed for what God considered abominations. The apostle admonished us to help and restore trespassers in a spirit of gentleness. Because we will be treated the same as we treat others. That does not mean to stand on the street corner with hate signs condemning the gay community... or posting hateful comments on social media. That is not gentleness. It is judging and it will not win any souls to Christ. It only drives them further from the church and make us believers out to be antagonists. I heard a preacher say, "You cannot evangelize and antagonize at the same time." When we attempt to sanctify the soul before the soul is even converted, that is the same as putting the horse behind the cart. It's going no where.

The Holy Bible is God's words that were given by inspiration to godly men that wrote them down. It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). So, that said, where the Bible is clear on any subject, I believe that we have God's clear position on that subject.

Scripture is crystal clear that God does not condone homosexuality. He made the woman for the man (Eve for Adam) and that is the way He intended it to be. Sodom and Gomorrah was wiped clear off the map because of homosexual activity going on in that region. To me, this is a pretty clear picture of how God feels about it.

But do you know how God won me to Himself, when I was a sinner? He loved me! He loved on me and loved on me and loved on me, until I fell at His feet with a truly repentant heart. He drew me and enticed me with His loving kindness and His tender mercies. I have come to love Him so much that I desire to do His will with all my heart. When I find myself overtaken in a fault, I pray! And I pray! And I keep on praying until He helps me change my faulty ways. I believe this is the way all mature saints behave.

So instead of bashing people with our self-righteousness... why don't we love them into fruition. Love them and lead them to the One who can effect real change in the souls of men. We have been saved through faith, by the grace of God, and even faith is not of ourselves; it is God's gift, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

* * * The Whole Counsel * * *

Now... in order that we may teach the whole counsel of God, let us be clear about what the Bible teaches on the subject of homosexuality.

There are several things listed in the Holy Bible as an abomination to the Lord:

1. images that were carved out for idol worship in place of worshiping the Creator (Deut. 7:25)
2. religious ceremonies where children were burned in the fire in worship of false gods (Deut. 12:31)
3. sacrificing an animal to the Lord that had any kind of blemish or defect (Deut. 17:1)
4. witchcraft, sorcery and divination of any kind (Deut. 18:10-12)
5. women who wore men's clothing and men who wore women's clothing (Deut. 22:5)
6. a prostitute's earnings nor the money from the sale of a dog were to be given in the offerings (Deut. 23:18)
7. a man could not remarry a woman whom he had divorced, once she had remarried another man... it was an abomination to the Lord

We'll stop at #7, but could go on and on from there... for there are many acts (in addition to homosexuality) stated in the Bible that are an abomination to the Lord our God.

Now, concerning homosexuality... here are four passages of Scripture from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible on this subject (I'm quoting from the New King James Version)

• You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Lev 18:22)

• If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you. If a man mates with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them. (Lev. 20:13-16)

The 20th chapter of Leviticus offers a lot of protests against sexual sin - not just homosexuality but adultery as well as other acts. It was also a capital offense to dishonor one's parents and in doing so that son or daughter was put to death. It was a capital offense to commit adultery as well, and both parties involved in the affair were put to death.

Specific acts that involve sexual sin are:

~ adultery
~ sex outside of wedlock
~ incest
~ pornography
~ beastiality
~ prostitution
~ rape
~ homosexuality

• Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Those on the apostle Paul's unrighteous list which would not inherit the kingdom of God are:

~ those who indulge in sexual sin
~ those who worship idols and false gods
~ those who commit adultery
~ those involved in prostitution
~ those involved in homosexuality
~ those who steal
~ those possessing greed and jealousy (covetous)
~ those who get drunk and attend wild parties
~ those who abuse and cheat others

• Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Cor 6:18)

* * * How does one become a homosexual? * * *

I was born an African American. Once conceived, there was no way of changing that. It's genetically set. So my question is, how does homosexual tendencies develop? Is there genetic science that proves it's pre-conceived? Were they sexually molested as a child, which brought on homosexual tendencies? Does one's first sexual experience determine their sexual preference? Can homosexual tendencies be handed down from one generation to another (like in Sodom and Gomorrah)? Is it demonically induced (to initiate or increase susceptibility)? Can the abandonment of a parent cause the child to become same-sex oriented? Since the Bible is clear that it was not God's initial plan, what happens that brings it about? My findings conclude one thing, there are no genetic differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals that differentiate the two.

* * * My Own Sexual Sin * * *

The same year that I came to Christ (1999) was the same year that I married my first husband. We were together 8 years when we split up. We were legally separated but not divorced. Long story short, I met and then moved in with my now husband and we shacked up for 3½ years before we were legally married. Part of that time (while we shacked up) I was still legally married to my first husband because we had not gotten divorced. And I didn't have the money to pay for a divorce. During that 3½ years, I did not work for 17 months. We were struggling financially and I was unable to afford a divorce.

During all that time, I kept praying. The Lord never left me. He did not seem to be unhappy with me at all. But I prayed about it continually because I did not want to be living in sin. To add insult to injury, my then common-law husband was not in church (considered to be an unbeliever).

So, let's add it all up. I was legally married to one man and still going by his last name. Shacking up with another one who was not even in church. And... I was teaching Sunday School at my church during that time. Now that's messy!

In all that time, and in all my praying... the Lord never left me. I continued to feel His presence. He anointed my teaching and my studies. He told me to accept His grace for His grace was sufficient. My first husband finally paid for the divorce himself, and my common-law husband and I went to the courthouse and got married. And we are the happiest couple on planet earth.

Think what you will about my actions, but you cannot take away my experiences with God. He loved me through it all and never dismissed me or turned His back on me, even though I was caught up in sin.

If you are gay and reading this blogpost, I hope you are encouraged to follow Jesus. He loves you more than you can ever imagine. I did not write this article to humiliate you but to encourage you and let you know that God loves you and me, despite our short comings. He just wants to be in relationship with us and we can come boldly to Him just as we are. We don't have to get fixed up first. Just come!

In conclusion, God's gift to mankind is His love. And His love never fails. Prophecies may fail, tongues will cease, knowledge will vanish away... but God's love will never fail.

Go in peace... you are His beloved.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove