THE SOCIETY in which we live is rapidly losing any semblance of morality. Those who live in decadence and debauchery are interviewed on TV like celebrities, by talk-show hosts, in front of sensation-seeking crowds. The more perverse and tantalizing the interview, the more the audience responds with shrieks, howls and laughter. Acts which the Bible calls "sins" which are "worthy of death" are discussed openly and shamelessly and referred to as "alternate lifestyles". Even the "religious" are beginning to tolerate these sins and in some cases embrace them.
According to The Los Angeles Times, almost 35 years ago a 59-question survey was sent out to 703 delegates of the 1.8 million member United Church of Christ. (This denomination is composed of a merger in 1961 between the "Evangelical and Reformed Church" and the "Congregational Church"). This survey revealed that "seven out of ten who responded believe the Bible is an 'inaccurate' guide for contemporary sexual conduct." It also disclosed that 73 percent of the "clergy" agreed "that Biblical assumptions about sexuality 'have been proved inaccurate.'" But, friends, we know "the word of the Lord is perfect…".
The first time the Scriptures allude to homosexual acts is in Genesis 19:4-9, being practiced by the men of Sodom. From this comes the word "sodomite" employed in Deuteronomy 23:17 and 1 Kings 14:24). It is clear from the Genesis account that their homosexual acts or sodomy was the very thing that brought their destruction by Jehovah with fire and brimstone. Further proof is found in Jude 7 where the warning is: "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, 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." Can anyone question the sinfulness of sodomy?
AN ABOMINATION
We learn, further, from Leviticus 20:13 that the practice is "an abomination" unto the Lord. In case there are some who still question whether homosexual acts are right or wrong, look at the apostle Paul's condemnation: "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped 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 recompense of their error which was meet"
(Romans 1:24-27).
Despite such clear language used in the Scriptures to condemn homosexual acts, by both men and women, still there are those who feel that Christians should be more tolerant toward those practicing them. We can no more tolerate a homosexual's committing sodomy than we can tolerate the "alcoholic's" drinking. We may never be able to fully comprehend the mind of either, but, if we are true Christians, we will work for their salvation. And like all other sins, (fornication, adultery, stealing, etc.), those who have engaged in such things must repent and stop doing them in order to be saved.
YE ARE WASHED…
Notice: "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 thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God"
(1 Corintians 6:9-11).
We are not certain when or even if a girl makes a conscious decision to desire boys rather than other girls. But that is the natural desire of a girl. Brother, can you remember the day you made your choice, or if you really made one? Was your sexual desire something you did not deliberately choose? Nevertheless, sinful acts are chosen by men and women. Oh, the person may be "enticed" and "drawn away" by what they think are uncontrollable desires, but the sinful act is a choice, and is condemned by God. Whatever kind it is, sexual or otherwise, it must be repented of and controlled.
HOMOSEXUALS SAVED?
Is it possible for homosexuals to be saved? Certainly. The apostle Paul says, "and such were some of you: but ye are washed… sanctified… justified." Just as certainly as some idol worshipers and fornicators in the city of Corinth were saved, so were some who committed sodomy who were "abusers of themselves with mankind". But just as all other "unrighteous" people, such as "fornicators," "adulterers," "effeminate," "covetous," "drunkards," "revilers," "unscrupulous," "liars," "blasphemers," "whisperers," "backbiters," "truce breakers," "brother-haters," "swindlers," etc., had to all stop their sinful practices, so did "whoremongers," "lusters," "inventors of evil things," and "sodomites."
It is not enough for a person to stop homosexual practices; all lusts, or "vile affections", or "burning lust one toward another" must be stopped. But is this not true of the practice of any sin? The so called "love" for that sin must be destroyed.
Today's faithful brother who was once a young fornicator, (whether his sex acts were done with one girl or many), had to crucify the sinful passion of his body which drove him to commit fornication. If a young man marries the girl with whom he commits the sex act, is he not a fornicator? Marrying does not legitimize fornication. The couple involved must accept their condemnation, repent of their sins, gain God's forgiveness, and move on into a wholesome relationship. The girl who surrendered her virtue and "played the harlot" may have great difficultly disposing of her passions and lusts, but she must to be saved. We find people mentioned in the Scriptures who did this very thing, and become precious children of God.
It is nothing short of shameful for a person who calls himself a Christian to mistreat his own wife and be bitter against her, while at the same time claim to oppose great sins. What we need is loving husbands and wives. What we need is compassion for one another. We will all be saved by the same cleansing blood, if we are going to be saved at all. We need to correct our own faults and work for the salvation of all other sinners.
SAFE HAVENS
We do not need to set up a safe-haven for "Christians" who commit certain sins. Denominations can do what they want; they are not restricted to obeying God's will. And some have formed "support groups", and some have even set up congregations for those who practice sodomy. It is doubtful that the faithful would ever stoop to that, but who would have ever believed we would provide "sheltering congregations" for adulterers and fornicators? For shame!
Tragically, you, dear reader, may have a precious son or a daughter who has drifted away and is now wandering in a world of sin and immorality. You must be broken hearted. Don't you long for their return? Don't you long for the good of all who are wrong? Don't become bitter toward others and seek revenge on them; that course will just condemn you too. No matter what the fallen have done, the heart of a true Christian yearns for these precious lost ones. And, no matter who the lost soul is, your loved one or mine, all Christians should seek and pray for their salvation. Let all improper spirits be slain, and let us unite in love for the souls of all men.
