First, let me be clear, the
following is not intended to hurt, but to help. Our love for you (a person with
homosexual desires) and other sinners (all mankind), requires we call you and
all people to repent of things God says are bad for us and offensive to Him. It
is in this desire to love you and others biblically, that I offer the following
information.
Biblical texts like Gen. 19:1-13, Lev. 18:22, 20:13,
Rom. 1:18-32 and 1 Cor. 6:9-10 condemn homosexual activity in very clear language.
However, some have suggested that these passages don’t condemn homosexual
activity within committed relationships. Others have said that those writing in
biblical times did not know the scientific facts of homosexuality, and if they
had they would surely not have condemned it. Finally, it has been suggested
that to deny homosexuals the opportunity to act on their desires, is to deny
them a love that God wants all to experience.In response to these objections to the way the church has understood these passages throughout history, I would offer the following:
1st even if the passages cited above did
not as clearly condemn homosexual activity as they do, the truth is that sexual
activity was from the beginning (Gen. 2:24), and later affirmed by Jesus (Matt.
19:5), to be only properly expressed within a marriage between one man and one
woman. Had there been a category of committed homosexual relationships that was
allowed or approved of by God, surely He would have made that clear within the
scriptures, so as to protect those within that category, but rather than that
we have His word consistently condemning all homosexual activity.
2nd the scriptures are not in error
because people lacked information about homosexuality at the time of their
writing, but rather the scriptures are the result of God’s Spirit moving men as
they wrote (2 Pet. 1:21), every word of the scriptures is true, and we must
submit to it (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Mankind may be learning things about the world
as we proceed through history, but God knew all there was to know when He led
these men to write His word.
3rd the idea that people are born with
homosexual tendencies is consistent with the Bible, not in conflict with it. God’s
word makes it clear that we are all born with many sinful desires, that we will
naturally seek to act on them, that we are condemned by God’s law for doing so,
that we have need of Jesus’ sacrifice to satisfy God’s wrath for these sins,
and we need His Holy Spirit in us if we are to have the power us to resist
these sins (Eph. 2:1-10). If the only criteria for making something right were
being born with that particular desire, then there is nothing that could be
called wrong, and all things that anyone feels prone to do, they should be
allowed to do. Thankfully God has given
us His word to clearly define what is right!
I would suggest that the person who has sexual
desires for those of the same sex is very much like any other sinner. Any
homosexual or heterosexual desires that fall outside of God’s design, even
though they may feel right or necessary to the one experiencing them, are not
things we should resign ourselves to and act upon, but rather, according to the
Bible, we should repent of such thoughts and actions, and seek God’s help to
stop them at the thought level, before we get in a place where we might act on
them (Rom. 12:2, 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Some have said that God would never deprive the
person who is attracted to people of the same sex, the love that those who are
attracted to people of the opposite sex get to experience. This is a most dangerous
thought, as it equates sexual activity with love in a very unbiblical way. Jesus says we are to love others as He has
loved us, not sexually, but sacrificially, as that is the highest expression of
love (John 15:13, Eph. 5:1-2). Further, even those who are attracted to people
of the opposite sex, are not guaranteed they will find a spouse and marry, nor
are those who get married guaranteed that their spouse will be able to continue
participating in sexual activity throughout the relationship. The scriptures
never suggest sexual activity is essential for a Godly life and even commends
those who live a celibate life (Matt. 19:10-12). The truth is that according to
God’s word, no one will ever be deprived of the ability to love others as
Christ loved us, simply because they could not have sexual relations.
What would the Bible say to those who are attracted
to people of the same sex, but now desire to follow Jesus and participate in
the life of His church?
1st know that your homosexual desires or past
activity need not define you or condemn you!
Rom.
3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the
righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who
believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set
forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His
righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that
were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His
righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith
in Jesus. (NKJV)
Tit.
3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love
of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,
through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom
He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that
having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope
of eternal life. (NKJV)
Further, even though you may
struggle with this and other sins until the day you die, something all
Christians experience with their particular bents toward sin, there is help and
hope to fight the battle, and you will always be able to love others and God,
and He will certainly love you! Gal. 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (NKJV)
Finally, know that this battle will not last forever:
Matt. 22:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
Rev. 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
For the reasons above, it is perfectly appropriate
for us to receive a person who has struggled with homosexual desires into our
fellowship, if they are repentant and desire to follow God’s teaching on this
and in others areas. However, we cannot receive a person who is not willing to
repent of this lifestyle, or any other clearly condemned in God’s word, as we
would be from day one in a position of having to seek to remove them from the
church for the same reason (Matt. 18:15-17, 1 Cor. 5:9-13).
Again, let me remind you of where I started, this is not intended to hurt, but to help. Our love for you and all
people requires we call them to repent of things God says are bad for us and
offensive to Him.
