Speaking to those who are
battling with homosexuality.
This post is long but I felt lead to take the time to reach out to those who are battling with homosexuality or lesbianism. God loves you and it is his desire to help you over come the hold this sinful lifestyle has on you. This post is in no way meant to condemn or judge anyone and is direct mainly to those who are struggling and battling whose desire is to be delivered from the bonds this sinful lifestyle has on you. Jesus paid the price for this sin on the cross at the same time He paid for all other sin. What follows are scriptures taken from the word of God as to what he had to say about this terrible sin.
Lev 18:22 You
shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination
(proclaims the
terrible sin of the abomination of homosexuality; whatever man says,
God says it is an abomination; God help America to see the awfulness
of homosexual marriages).
SEX
— the concept of male and female; pertaining to
the reproductive function of human beings; sexual intercourse.
Although
the idea and fact of sex repeatedly appear
in Scripture, the word “sex” never
appears (KJV and NKJV). The NKJV, however, does refer often to
“sexual immorality” (Matt. 5:32; Acts 15:20) and to the “sexually
immoral” (1 Cor. 5:9–10; Rev. 22:15).
God created mankind in His own image as “male and female” (Gen.
1:27; 5:2). The act of sexual intercourse is part of God’s first
command to mankind: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth”
(Gen. 1:28).
The
Old Testament records legislation that sought to restrict premarital
and extramarital sex (Ex. 20:14; Lev.
20:10). In addition, homosexuality, bestiality, and incest were
condemned (Lev. 18:6–18,
{6
None of you shall approach to any who is near
of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD (incest
is forbidden).
7 The nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother,
shall you not uncover: she is your mother; you shall not uncover her
nakedness.
8 The nakedness of your father’s wife shall you not uncover: it is
your father’s nakedness.
9 The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or
daughter of your mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad,
even their nakedness you shall not uncover.
10 The nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s
daughter, even their nakedness you shall not uncover: for their’s
is your own nakedness.
11 The nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of
your father, she is your sister, you shall not uncover her nakedness.
12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister: she
is your father’s near kinswoman.
13You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister: for
she is your mother’s near kinswoman.
14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother,
you shall not approach to his wife: she is your aunt.
15 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she
is your son’s wife; you shall not uncover her nakedness.
16 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife: it
is your brother’s nakedness.
17 You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter,
neither shall you take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s
daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen:
it is wickedness.
18
Neither shall you take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover
her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. (The
word “nakedness” refers to sexual intercourse, whether in the
bonds of incestuous marriage, which marriage would be sinful, or
outside of the bonds of marriage, which would be fornication.
Concerning these things, Pulpit says, “Verses 6
through 18
contain the law of
incest, or the prohibited degrees of marriage. The positive law of
marriage, as implanted in the human heart, would be simply that any
man of full age might marry any woman of full age, provided that both
parties were willing. But this liberty is at once controlled by a
number of restrictions, the main purpose of which is to prevent
incest, which, however much one nation may come to be indifferent to
one form of it, and other to another, is yet abhorrent to the
feelings and principles of mankind. The Hebrew restrictive law is
contained in one Verse, ‘None of you shall approach to any who is
near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.’
“In
fact, all these Verses are simply an amplification and an explanation
of the words, ‘near of kin to him.’ ”)}
22–23 { 22
You shall not lie with mankind, as
with womankind: it is abomination (proclaims
the terrible sin of the abomination of homosexuality; whatever man
says, God says it is an abomination; God help America to see the
awfulness of homosexual marriages).
23
Neither shall you lie with any beast to defile yourself therewith:
neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down there-to: it
is confusion. (Concerning
this sin, Ellicott says: “The necessity for the prohibition of this
shocking crime, for which the Mosaic Law enacts the penalty of death
[Lev. 20:15–16;
Ex. 22:18],
will appear all the more important when it is borne in mind that this
degrading practice actually formed a part of the religious worship of
the Egyptians in connection with the goat deities. In other words,
the Israelites were very familiar with this perversion, having lived
in Egypt for so long.”
It is said that the disease of syphilis
originated with men cohabiting with sheep.)}).
Romans 1:21-32
APOSTASY
21 Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified Him
not as God (if
men do not understand God in the realm of Creation, they will not
understand Him in anything else),
neither were thankful (refusing
to honor Him resulted in a lack of gratitude for His Gifts);
but became vain in their imaginations (presents
the only direction that fallen man can go, considering he has
rejected God),
and their foolish heart was darkened (speaks
of the rejection of Light).
22 Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools (lays
waste to all so-called wisdom which is not of God),
23 And
changed the glory of the uncorruptible God (presents
the sin of the ages, and points not only to the heathen of old, but
also much of modern Christendom)
into an image made like to corruptible man, and to
birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things (proclaims
the degeneration of man, which is the opposite of evolution).
RESULTS OF APOSTASY
24 Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts (not
merely permissive, but God judicially delivered them over),
to dishonour their own bodies between themselves (speaks
of every type of immorality):
25 Who
changed the Truth of God into a lie (refers
back to Verse 23,
which
speaks of spiritual and sexual uncleanness),
and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator (this
refers to man worshiping the creation of his own hands, which means
that he is worshiping something less than himself),
Who is blessed forever. Amen (should
have been translated “Bless-ed” [two syllables], because it
refers to the One doing the blessing, in this case the Lord).
26 For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections (the
Lord removed His restraints and, therefore, gave them unimpeded
access to their desires):
for even their women did change the natural use into that which is
against nature (in
short speaks of Lesbianism):
27 And
likewise also the men (homosexuality),
leaving the natural use of the woman (speaks
of the sex act
which is performed between the man and his wife),
burned in their lust one toward another (raging
lust);
men with men working that which is unseemly (specifies
its direction, which is total perversion),
and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was
meet (refers
to the penalty attached to wrongdoing).
28 And
even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge (carries
the idea of the human race putting God to the test for the purpose
of approving or disapproving Him),
God gave them over to a reprobate mind (Light
rejected is Light withdrawn),
to do those things which are not convenient (which
are not fitting);
APOSTATES
29 Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters,
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without
understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful (these
things listed are the end results of forsaking God, which is the
reason for all the strife in the world):
32 Who
knowing the judgment of God (in
essence saying, “do Your worst, and it will not stop us”),
that they which commit such things are worthy of death (Divine
Judgment is implied),
not only do the same, but have pleasure in them who do them
(proclaims
the result of the “reprobate mind”).
2 Kings 23:7 And
he broke down the houses of the sodomites (homosexuals),
who were by the House of the LORD, where the women wove hangings
for the grove (so
we see here what God thinks of the terrible sin of homosexuality;
to be sure, the same-sex
marriages,
so-called, presently being engaged in certain parts of the United
States indicate the nation’s downward slide, which will
ultimately guarantee judgment).
Romans 1:24
(24) “WHEREFORE GOD
ALSO GAVE THEM UP TO UNCLEANNESS THROUGH THE LUSTS OF THEIR OWN
HEARTS, TO DISHONOUR THEIR OWN BODIES BETWEEN THEMSELVES:”
The
phrase, “Wherefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,”
presents mankind not merely drifting toward
depravity, but actually in a sense being shoved by God in that
direction.
Since men chose to give up God and worship the creature, God could
do nothing but give men into the control of the sinful things they
preferred. In other words, God would not violate man’s will and
force him to do something he did not want to do. When men persisted
in following their totally depraved natures, God allowed them free
reign. The natural result was immorality of the vilest kind
(Wuest).
Alford
says of God’s act of delivering mankind over into the control of
utter human depravity, “Not merely
permissive, but judicially, God delivered them over. As sin begets
sin, and darkness of mind, deeper darkness, Grace gives place to
judgment, and the Divine Wrath hardens men, and hurries them on to
more fearful degrees of depravity.” God
delivered man to uncleanness.
The
word “lusts” is
“epithumia” in
the Greek Text, and means, “a
passionate craving, longing, desire,” and
in this sense, an inordinately sinful one.
Alford
again says, “Not by or through the
lusts; the lusts of their heart were the field of action, the
department of their being in which the dishonor took place.”
In other words, this was what their hearts
wanted.
The
phrase, “To dishonour their own
bodies between themselves,” carries
with it more than the mere profligacy in the satisfaction of
natural lust, but rather bestiality, which refers to impurity in
the physical, and not only in the social and religious sense. In
other words, man is grossly immoral.
It
speaks of adultery, fornication, pedophilia (sex with
children), bestiality (sex with animals),
lesbianism and homosexuality.
(25) “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.”
The
phrase, “Who changed the Truth of
God into a lie,” refers back to
verse 23, which speaks of spiritual and sexual uncleanness.
In the realm of idolatry, this refers to anything that is placed
before Christ.
Most
people presently are not inclined to make idols out of pieces of
wood as they did many centuries ago; however, if we allow anything
to come between Christ and us, whether we realize it or not, such
becomes an idol. That’s why John the Beloved said, “Little
children, keep yourselves from idols” (I
Jn. 5:21).
However, this condition of men’s hearts in purposely refusing the
Truth of God, led to the Lord using no restraining force over man
whatsoever, allowing him without restraint to push headlong into
this lie of darkness, which in effect is the same as God giving man
a push. Considering man’s already depraved condition, the slide
even further downward was terrible, to say the least!
As
we see here, the words, “God also
gave them up,” as given in verse
24, is a restraining force exercised by God even on unregenerate
mankind, unless refused, which it was and continues to be.
As well, there is a far greater restraining force on Believers as
should be obvious (Job 1:10; Ps. 91; Rom. 8:28).
However, this restraining force even on Believers can be removed as
well through disobedience and rebellion.
The
phrase, “And worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator,” presents
that of which Paul spoke in his Message to the Athenians (Acts
17:29–30).
For man to worship and serve the creature, means that he is doing
such to something he has made with his hands, and is, therefore,
less than him.
Regarding
the “creature,” even
if man worships himself or other men and women, which most of the
world does, still, what good does such do him?
The
phrase, “Who is blessed for ever,”
should have been translated, “bless-ed,”
because it refers to God.
The
word “blessed” refers
to one receiving a Blessing, in which as should be obvious, God
needs nothing.
The
word “bless-ed,” in
effect, two syllables, refers to the One doing the Blessing, in
this case, the Lord.
The idea is, all True Blessings come exclusively from the Lord,
with idols or anything else for that matter, able to produce none
at all.
The
word “Amen” means
that this is anchored in the Word of God, and as such, will not
change.
WOMEN
AND HOMOSEXUALITY
(26) “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:”
The
phrase, “For this cause God gave
them up unto vile affections,” presents
once again the people purposely and with forethought rejecting God,
desiring instead a way of gross evil, with the Lord removing His
restraints and, therefore, giving them unimpeded access to their
desires. It must be remembered that the way down picks up speed as
it goes, therefore, making it more and more difficult to stop or
turn around, even though desire to do so may ultimately come about.
I speak of the untold millions who are hooked on alcohol, drugs,
immorality, gambling, or any vice one may name. It begins
oftentimes as a lark, but as the acceleration downward increases,
it becomes more and more difficult to stop, actually impossible
without the help of God.
DISHONOR
The
word “vile” in
the Greek Text is “atimia,”
and means “dishonor,
ignominy and disgrace.”
The
first word in this meaning is “dishonor,”
and looking at the meaning of its opposite
“honor,” means
to evaluate the worth of a person and to treat him with the
consideration, respect, and love due his character and position.
To dishonor a person is to either put an incorrect appraisal upon
his worth and treat him accordingly, or, having properly evaluated
his character, to refuse to treat him with the respect and
deference which are his due.
Paul is using this in the sense of the world putting an incorrect
estimate upon the sacredness, dignity, and purity of the physical
body which was made by God, and in effect, in God’s Image, and
thus using it in a way which dishonors it.
In
that this was what the world wanted, they were given over to a
“condition,” and
not merely to an evil desire (Wuest). It is one thing for an
individual to do something which is very evil, but something else
altogether for that person to become
what they do, which is always where sin leads
one. As stated, the problem can only be rectified by the Saving
Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The
phrase, “For even their women did
change the natural use into that which is against nature,”
in short speaks of lesbianism—unnatural sexual
relations between women (homosexuality). Several things are here
said:
1.
The word “women” as
used here is not the word used as in John 4:9, which simply speaks
of designation, but rather the Greek word “thelus”
which means “a
female.” In other words, the Holy
Spirit through Paul is pointing to the gender, and meaning that it
is to stay that way.
2.
That women tried to “change”
the purpose
of their gender, is the reason that Paul used
the Greek word for “female.”
They were not trying so much to change the
gender, but rather its purpose respecting the sexual sense.
Consequently, they were changing what God had designed, and doing
so in a rebellious, base, ignominious way. They went from a far
higher use down to a far lower use.
Even though this is one of the worst, or possibly the very worst
example, still, this is the great sin of man, changing God’s Ways
for man’s ways, and in every capacity.
3.
The “natural use”
presents that intended by God, in this sense the
way sexually, that women were originally created.
The
word “natural” in
the Greek is “phusis,”
and means “the
nature of things, the force, laws, order of nature, as opposed to
that which is monstrous, abnormal, perverse.”
4.
That which is “against nature”
respects that which is against nature’s laws,
or God’s Laws, which are one and the same.
MEN AND
HOMOSEXUALITY
(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.”
The
phrase, “And likewise also the men,”
presents the word “men”
used in the same fashion as the word “women”
in the previous verse.
The
Holy Spirit through Paul is not pointing out the mere designation
of man, but rather the male as distinguished from a female. These
terms are used because only the distinction of sex is
contemplated (Vincent).
The
phrase, “Leaving the natural use of
the woman,” speaks of the sex
act which is to be performed between the man and
his wife. This natural way formed and made by God, is set aside, in
favor of that which is far, far lower.
Let it ever be understood, that man can never improve upon that
which God has done. He cannot add to it, or take away from it, at
least with any positive results. He always drops down to a lower
level, which is the problem with the world, and always has been
since the Fall.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle is using this example of
lesbianism and homosexuality, because it portrays in the most
glaring way, the obvious truth of these statements. In other words,
this example portrays in the worst way the folly of changing God’s
designed direction, and designed, I mighty quickly add, for our
good and not harm. Actually, this is one of Satan’s greatest
ploys, even as he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden. He tried to
make them think that God was withholding some good things from
them, exactly as men think today. However, let it ever be known,
that all good things are found in the Ways of God, and not outside
those Ways. Satan has no good ways, only bondage. While he is able
to offer some pleasure and can titillate the flesh somewhat,
without exception, his efforts will lead to destruction. In other
words, the Marlboro man dies of cancer.
The
phrase, “Burned in their lust one
toward another,” refers to that
which is terrible in its intensity.
The
word “burned” in
the Greek is “ekkaio,”
and means “to
burn out,” and can be explained as
“the rage of lust.”
Robertson defines it as, “to
enflame with lust.”
In other words, this type of lust satiates or consumes the entirety
of the individual. It is an all-out endeavor to satisfy their
totally-depraved natures. Once again, we are speaking here of
homosexuality.
The
phrase, “Men with men working that
which is unseemly,” specifies its
direction.
PEDOPHILES
The
word “working” in
the Greek is “katergazomai,”
which means “to
perform, accomplish, achieve, to do that from which something
results, to carry to its ultimate conclusion.” It
is a “lust” which
will not be satisfied until it obtains its desired results.
Many would ask as to how a man could take advantage of a little
boy, sexually molesting him, when the man knows in his heart the
child will be greatly affected mentally and emotionally?
The
answer is obvious, it is the “lust”
which drives the person and will not quit until
it is momentarily satisfied. As well, each act takes the man lower
and lower in its depravity.
At this stage, it is not why the man does such a thing, but that he
has reached the point to where he has no choice in the matter. That
is the reason that many pedophiles openly state, if given the
opportunity they will do such again. They are right! Within
themselves it is not possible for the situation to be changed.
At
this stage and even long before, the favorite word used, and even
by the Church is, “They need
professional help!” Of course they
are speaking of psychological counseling, etc.
However,
I must remind the Reader, that there is no “professional
help” for something of this nature,
or any sin for that matter, be it great or small. The only Answer
is Jesus Christ. As I have said, and will continue to say it over
and over again, if, in fact, man has the answer for these problems
in the realm of psychoanalysis, or in any other way, Jesus Christ
made an unnecessary trip down to this sin-benighted world to die at
Calvary, thereby paying a terrible price to redeem humanity. Once
again I remind the Reader, that man’s problem is sin, not
environment, association, education, even though these things
certainly may have some effect. And once again I say, that man’s
Solution is Jesus Christ, and Christ Alone! Also I again remind the
Reader, that Jesus needs no help in this capacity, for in effect,
He has already effected the cure, which is His Shed Blood coupled
with His Power. For the Church to look elsewhere, to do otherwise,
to think otherwise, is not just sin, but actually, rank, raw,
ignominious blasphemy.
ALTERNATE
LIFESTYLE?
The
word “unseemly” in
the Greek is “aschemosune,”
and means “want
or form, disfigurement, deformed, one’s nakedness, shame.”
It
does not matter that modern man may attempt to label homosexuality
as merely an “alternate lifestyle,”
insinuating that there is nothing wrong with
this direction, the Truth is the opposite, and irrespective of what
type of erroneous laws that Congress may make, or the Supreme Court
may judge. Man’s law in no way changes God’s Laws, i.e., that
which God has deemed will happen! The awful results will always
come about, irrespective of how much seal of approval that man may
attempt to apply to this issue, or any other issue pertaining to
Life and Godliness.
The
phrase, “And receiving in themselves
that recompence of their error which was meet,” refers
to the penalty which is attached to wrongdoing, and if persisted,
will always be brought about.
“Recompence”
in the Greek is “antimisthian,”
and means “a
reward given in compensation, requital, recompense.”
The word here refers to that natural result of
their sin which pays them back for what they have done. The evil
consequences are necessary as ordained by Divine Law. When one
violates the laws of nature (God), one must pay the price.
The
word “error” in
the Greek is “plane,”
and means “a
wandering, roving, or wrong action.” It
carries the idea of an individual leaving the natural instincts
created by God and forcing those instincts into perversion. The
“wandering, roving, wrong action”
steadily gets worse and worse, with the “error”
becoming more and more pronounced.
An excellent example is the many homosexuals and lesbians who have
had their physical, emotional and even mental appearances changed,
and for the worse. In other words, their homosexuality shows in
their mannerisms, which again are unnatural and repulsive.
THE SIN
OF HOMOSEXUALITY
The Bible has much to say about this sin, as it does all sin.
Historically,
according to the Bible, homosexual behavior was linked with
idolatrous cult prostitution (I Ki. 14:24; 15:12; 22:46). However,
the stern warning against this practice is included in Levitical
Law, and upheld under the New Covenant as well, even respecting
these Passages in Romans which we are now studying (Lev. 18:22;
20:13).
In this Chapter, to which we have already alluded, Paul greatly
condemns homosexual acts, lesbian as well as male, putting them in
the same breath in a sense as idolatry. However, his theological
canvas is broader than the expression of the homosexual act
regarding idolatry, but is rather held up as the terrible exchange
fallen man has made in departing from his Creator’s intention.
Seen from this angle, every homosexual act is unnatural, not so
much because it cuts across the individual’s natural sexual
orientation, or even infringes Old Testament Law, which it
definitely does, but rather because it flies in the face of God’s
Creation Plan for human sexual expression.
OTHER
WARNINGS
Paul
makes two more references to homosexual practice in other Epistles.
Both occur in lists of banned activities and strike the same
condemnatory note. In I Corinthians 6:9, practicing homosexuals are
included among the unrighteous who will not
inherit the Kingdom of God; however, Paul then
adds a redemptive note, saying, “And
such were some of you” (I Cor.
6:11). In other words, the Lord Saved these once practicing
homosexuals, cleansing them of their sin, and made them new
creatures in Christ Jesus.
The idea is, as should be obvious, that the Lord does not save in
sin, but from sin.
A
Newsman asked me once if God would save homosexuals? My answer to
him was very clear and concise: “Yes,
God will save homosexuals, or anyone who comes to Him for that
matter. Actually, that is the very reason Jesus came and died on
Calvary.”
“However,”
I quickly added, “but
that means they will have to give up their sin of homosexuality,
just as the drunkard gives up his drink, etc.”
In I Timothy 1:10, Paul again speaks of the sin of homosexuality,
and by inference declares the lost condition of those who practice
this sin, as well as other sins.
It
has been suggested that the meaning of “arsenikoites”
in I Corinthians 6:9 and
I Timothy 1:10 may be restricted to that
of “male prostitute.”
However, Greek linguistic evidence to support
this view is lacking.
It is beyond reasonable doubt that Paul intended to condemn
homosexual conduct in any capacity, but not homosexual people. As
Creator, Law-Giver, and King, the Lord’s condemnation of such
behavior is absolutely plain, but yet He loves the sinner.
Following are some questions respecting homosexuality with
hopefully some answers which will be helpful:
ARE
HOMOSEXUALS BORN THAT WAY?
In
a word, “No!”
While
it is true that the seed of original sin carries with it every type
of deviation, aberration, perversion, and wrongdoing, the
Homosexual cannot claim to have been born that way anymore than the
drunkard, gambler, killer, etc. However, I think it correct to say
that the gene pool which constitutes the character and personality
makeup of every individual, is more predisposed toward some
aberrations in certain persons than others. However, in the
spiritual sense, the perverted or abnormal number of genes in any
particular direction, is not
the cause of these situations, but rather the
results.
The genes are that way because of man’s fallen condition in a
spiritual sense. So, even if Scientists one day can find a way to
control the genes, the problem will still not be solved, because
that which feeds the genes, which is the soul and the spirit of
man, cannot be changed by medical or psychological procedures, but
only by the Power of God. It is called the New Birth, and is
referred to in the Word of God as “Regeneration.”
The actual Passage says, “Not
by works of Righteousness which we have done, but according to His
Mercy He Saved us, by the washing of Regeneration, and renewing of
the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
The
word “Regeneration” in
the Greek Text is “Paliggenesia,”
and means “once
more or again,” in other words,
“regened.”
Him
and Him Alone, the Lord Jesus Christ can change the person, i.e.,
“Regene the individual, hence,
Regeneration.”
Again we state, that even though there are greater propensities
toward certain proclivities in some than in others, and because
they were born that way, does not mean the thing is set in
concrete, but only that there is a little lean in that direction.
In fact, the Lord does not condemn the sinner for what he is, but
rather for refusing to accept God’s Way out of the situation,
which is the Salvation afforded by Christ at Calvary. That goes for
every sinner, homosexuals included!
WILL GOD
SAVE HOMOSEXUALS?
Actually, this is a question we have already answered.
Yes,
the Lord will save homosexuals, or anyone who comes to Him,
irrespective as to who or what they may be. That is the very reason
Jesus came to this world, “To save
sinners” (I Cor. 6:9–12).
However, the Homosexual upon coming to Christ, must abandon the
former lifestyle immediately, and that goes for the drunk, gambler,
or anyone.
When a person comes to Christ, he leaves something (the old
lifestyle), and comes to something, and more particularly to
someone, The Lord Jesus Christ. As such, we take upon ourselves and
by His Help, His Lifestyle.
WILL
PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING HELP THE HOMOSEXUAL?
No! Biblical Counseling will help but not Psychological Counseling.
Biblical Counseling will simply direct the person to Jesus in order
that one may be Saved. Once this happens, the Power of the Risen
Christ through the Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit, takes up
abode within the heart and life of the Redeemed sinner. As such,
the former Homosexual, and any Believer for that matter, now has a
Power within him greater than the power of Satan (Gal. 2:20; I Jn.
4:4).
In fact, psychology holds no help at all for the Homosexual, or
anyone else for that matter, only harm. It is harm because it
attempts to make the person believe a lie, and it keeps them from
their only Source of help, The Lord Jesus Christ.
First
of all, psychological counseling, for the most part, attempts to
make the Homosexual “feel good about
himself,” in other words, to accept
his orientation, as it is called. If the Truth be known, many
psychologists claim that the guilt felt by the Homosexual (or
anyone), is the real problem, and is present because of certain
myths called the Bible, etc.
While
it is true that the “Law”
of the Bible, does point out man’s terrible
sins, still if the Bible did not exist, the guilt of man’s fallen
condition would remain. That guilt can only be removed by Jesus
Christ. (The Bible does not originate guilt—sin being the
fault—it only defines it.)
ARE ALL
HOMOSEXUALS INSTANTLY DELIVERED AT THE MOMENT OF SALVATION?
In fact, yes! Actually, it can be no other way, if Salvation is to
be Salvation (II Cor. 5:17–18). However, whereas this terrible
bondage, as with other problems such as temper, alcohol, nicotine,
etc., are at times broken immediately, with some it does not come
quite so quickly. In other words, at times it is a struggle.
However,
the Lord does not throw us over if we fail or slip back, but in
fact instantly forgives us as we ask for such (I Jn. 1:9).
Consequently, the new Believer must continue to believe God,
pressing forward toward victory. (Please read carefully the
Commentary of Romans Chapters 6, 7 and 8,
regarding this very subject.)
WILL
HOMOSEXUALITY CAUSE ONE TO BE ETERNALLY LOST?
Yes, that is if the person does not repent and, thereby, forsake
that lifestyle. Of course, the same can be said for alcoholism,
drug addiction, or religion for that matter (Gal. 5:19–21).
The age-old problem of mankind is the desire to live in sin and
have Salvation at the same time. However, those who would attempt
such a thing, have not truly been Born Again.
When
the person truly turns to Christ, making Him the Lord of one’s
life, affections change totally and completely. Actually, the
Scripture is rather implicit about this, saying, “Old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”
(II Cor. 5:17). In other words, the new Believer
does not want the old sinful lifestyle any longer, even though he
may at times sense its pull. He is now a “New
creature in Christ Jesus.”
WHAT
ABOUT THE LAWS OF CERTAIN STATES WHICH LEGALIZE HOMOSEXUAL
MARRIAGES, OR THE COURTS ALLOWING HOMOSEXUAL COUPLES TO ADOPT
CHILDREN, ETC.?
First of all, the Courts legalizing something, does not legitimize
it in the Eyes of God. The Word of God does not change irrespective
of what others may do. That is the reason it is referred to as
Objective Truth, which means it is the same Standard forever and
for everyone.
The recognition of homosexual marriages by the Courts is an
abomination in the sight of God.
As well, the allowing of homosexual couples to adopt children, is
again, an abomination. Putting a child in such an abnormal
environment, can do nothing but have an adverse effect on that
child, which will affect it negatively for the rest of its life.
Regrettably, this is also the case in most straight homes, for the
simple reason that most do not know Jesus. Only Jesus can make a
marriage, and He definitely will not do so with such an
unscriptural, perverted lifestyle of homosexuality, irrespective of
claims to the contrary.
However, if a home does have Jesus Christ, it has the only Solution
for its problems and the only Guarantee for success.
HOW
SHOULD CHRISTIANS REACT TOWARD HOMOSEXUALS?
To which we have alluded elsewhere in our comments on this subject,
the Lord loves the Homosexual just as much as he does anyone else.
When He died on Calvary, He died for these people just as well as
He died for you and me. In fact, His Atonement is no different for
them than for us.
Likewise, Christians must show kindness and the God kind of Love
toward homosexuals, as they do for others. That means, at least as
far as is possible, to treat them as human beings and that means
with respect and dignity. However, the Believer must never leave
the impression that such a lifestyle is condoned, while at the same
time not leveling condemnation on the person. No one has ever
brought people to Christ with a club, but millions have been
brought to the Saviour because they felt somebody cared for them.
At the same time I do not think it is possible that a Christian
could be close friends with a homosexual, or anyone outside of
Christ for that matter! The Believer and the unbeliever have
absolutely nothing in common, at least on which to build and
sustain a friendship. One serves Christ, while the other serves
himself (or herself).
733
ἀρσενοκοίτης
[arsenokoites
/ar·sen·ok·oy·tace/]
n m.
From 730 and 2845; GK
780; Two occurrences; AV
translates as “abuser of (one’s) self with
mankind” once, and “defile (one’s) self with mankind” once.
1
one who lies with a male as with a female,
sodomite, homosexual.
GK
Goodrick-Kohlenberger
AV
Authorized Version
3120
μαλακός
[malakos
/mal·ak·os/]
adj.
Of uncertain affinity; GK
3434; Four occurrences; AV
translates as “soft” three times, and
“effeminate” once. 1
soft, soft to the touch. 2
metaph. in a bad sense. 2a
effeminate. 2a1
of a catamite. 2a2
of a boy kept for homosexual relations
with a man. 2a3
of a male who submits his body to unnatural
lewdness. 2a4
of a male prostitute.
4202
πορνεία
[porneia
/por·ni·ah/]
n f.
From 4203; TDNT 6:579;
TDNTA 918;
GK 4518;
26 occurrences; AV
translates as “fornication” 26 times. 1
illicit sexual intercourse. 1a
adultery, fornication, homosexuality,
lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 1b
sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev.
18. 1c
sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman;
Mk. 10:11,12. 2
metaph. the worship of idols. 2a
of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by
eating the sacrifices offered to idols.
AV
Authorized Version
Genesis 19:4-5
4 But
before they lay down (retired
for the night), the men of the
city, even the men of Sodom (homosexuals),
compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from
every quarter: (The
principle of evil, which the Bible calls “sin,” and which has
wrought such ruin in human nature, painfully appears in this
Chapter. Sodom is the end result of the reprobate mind [Rom.
1:24–28].)
5 And
they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the Men which
came in to you this night? (the
sin of homosexuality was
the primary sin which occasioned the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah [Jude, Vss. 6–7])
bring them out unto us, that we may know them (the
words “know them” pertained to the loathsomeness of the
homosexual act).
Lev. 20:13
13 If
a man also lie with mankind, 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 (the
Lord speaks here of homosexuality
as “an
abomination”; the word “Abomination,” in the Hebrew, is
“towebah,”
and means “something disgusting, an abhorrence”).
Lev. 18:22
22 You
shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination
(proclaims the
terrible sin of the abomination of homosexuality; whatever man
says, God says it is an abomination; God help America to see the
awfulness of homosexual
marriages).
1 Kings 14:24
24 And
there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to
all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before
the Children of Israel. (Sodomites
are homosexuals [Gen.,
Chpt. 17].
Here it refers to male prostitutes dedicated to idolatry involving
this sin [II Ki. 23:7].
Such was forbidden by the Law of God [Deut.
23:17–18].
The Lord refers to this sin as an “abomination.” A nation
begins to lose its way when three sins become prominent:
“pedophilia,” “homosexuality,” and “murder.”)
1 Tim. 1:10
10 For
whoremongers, for them who defile themselves with mankind
(homosexuality),
for menstealers (slave
traders), for liars, for perjured
persons (those who
swear falsely), and if there be
any other thing that is contrary to sound Doctrine (actually
refers to all that is contrary to the Word of God);
Romans 1:27
27 And
likewise also the men (homosexuality),
leaving the natural use of the woman (speaks
of the sex act which is performed between the man and his wife),
burned in their lust one toward another (raging
lust);
men with men working that which is unseemly (specifies
its direction, which is total perversion),
and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which
was meet (refers
to the penalty attached to wrongdoing).
Psalms 106:29
29 Thus
they provoked Him to anger with their inventions: and the plague
broke in upon them. (The
word “inventions” has to do with new ways of committing sin.
All sin ultimately invites, and will entertain, “plague.”
America and Canada are today “plagued” because of sin. These
“plagues” consist of alcoholism, drug addiction, AIDS,
homosexuality, etc., all resulting in untold heartache, suffering,
and sorrow for the people.)
Lev. 18:22
22. lie
with mankind. Homosexuality is
not a legitimate alternative life style, it is a sin which in
Israel merited the death penalty. In the New Testament it is a sin
the practice of which disqualifies the individual from inheriting
the kingdom of God (1 Co m6:9,
10. Ga 5:21. Ep 5:5). No saved individuals practice this sin.
Believers are to hate the sin, but love the sinner, and exercise
compassion toward such lost individuals, seeking to win them to a
saving knowledge of Christ (1 Co 6:11. Ja 5:20. Ju 22, 23). The
passage of human laws in an attempt to legitimatize the practice as
a life style are directly contrary to the word of God, and will
subject the offending nation to the wrath of God (ver. 24. Ps
9:17). Under no circumstances are Bible believing Christians to
support financially or otherwise the activities of groups which
support the practice of homosexuality or
lesbianism, or which otherwise advocate the “rights” of those
who practice these sins (2 Ch +*19:2.
Ps +*119:63. 2 Co *6:17. Ep 5:7). Le *20:13. Ge *19:5, 24. Jg
*19:22. 1 K *14:24. Ro +*1:26, 27. 1 Co +m6:9.
1 Ti *1:10. He p*13:4.
2 P +*2:6. Ju *7.
SEX
— the concept of male and female; pertaining to the reproductive
function of human beings; sexual intercourse.
Although
the idea and fact of sex repeatedly appear
in Scripture, the word “sex” never
appears (KJV and NKJV). The NKJV, however, does refer often to
“sexual immorality” (Matt. 5:32; Acts 15:20) and to the “sexually
immoral” (1 Cor. 5:9–10; Rev. 22:15).
God created mankind in His own image as “male and female” (Gen.
1:27; 5:2). The act of sexual intercourse is part of God’s first
command to mankind: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth”
(Gen. 1:28). Although the primary reason for intercourse was
procreation, God created mankind with a capacity to enjoy sex.
The
Old Testament records legislation that sought to restrict premarital
and extramarital sex (Ex. 20:14; Lev.
20:10). In addition, homosexuality, bestiality, and incest were
condemned (Lev. 18:6–18, 22–23). Distinctions between the sexes
also involved clothing; articles of clothing of
the opposite sex were not to be worn (Deut.
22:5).
Sexual
intercourse within marriage was considered “honorable” (Heb.
13:4). According to the Old Testament, however, a couple was to
refrain from sex during the wife’s
monthly menstruation (Lev. 15:19–24). In addition, if the husband
was involved in war, he was to abstain until God gave them the
victory (1 Sam. 21:4; 2 Sam. 11:11). In the New Testament, the
apostle Paul stated that since sex is such
an integral part of marriage, the spouse always should be sexually
available. If the couple refrains from intercourse, the decision
should be mutual, should be for a spiritual reason, and should be
only for a stated period (1 Cor. 7:1–5).
Sex
played an important role in the religious beliefs
and practices of the Canaanites. For instance, Baal was considered to
be the god of fertility, and both male and female prostitutes were
kept at the temples dedicated to Baal. Through sexual intercourse
with these prostitutes, the Canaanites believed they could influence
Baal to give them large herds, abundant crops, and many children.
While these beliefs attracted a number of the Israelites (1 Kin.
14:24), these practices were condemned by those who continued to
believe that the Lord alone was God and that only He was the giver of
life (1 Kin. 15:12).
A number of sexual taboos are declared in Scripture. The Jewish
people believed it wrong for sexual organs to be exposed. For
instance, Noah’s son placed a covering over his father to conceal
his nakedness, and David was denounced by his wife for dancing
immodestly before the Lord (2 Sam. 6:20).
The
vocabulary dealing with sexual matters is often veiled in Scripture.
The male sexual organs are variously referred to as a man’s “feet”
(Ex. 4:25), “nakedness” (Ex. 28:42), “privy member” (Deut.
23:1, KJV), and “unpresentable parts” (1 Cor. 12:23). The female
sexual organs are called “nakedness” (Lev. 18; 20) and “feet”
(Deut. 28:57). To “become one flesh” (Gen.
2:24), to “know” (Gen. 4:1), and to “lie with” (Lev. 18:20,
22) are euphemisms for sexual intercourse.
The
vocabulary dealing with sexual matters is often veiled in Scripture.
The male sexual organs are variously referred to as a man’s “feet”
(Ex. 4:25), “nakedness” (Ex. 28:42), “privy member” (Deut.
23:1, KJV), and “unpresentable parts” (1 Cor. 12:23). The female
sexual organs are called “nakedness” (Lev. 18; 20) and “feet”
(Deut. 28:57). To “become one flesh” (Gen.
2:24), to “know” (Gen. 4:1), and to “lie with” (Lev. 18:20,
22) are euphemisms for sexual intercourse.
Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers &
Thomas Nelson Publishers, Ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
