Among all the sins mentioned in the Bible, perhaps none is more disgusting to God than that of homosexuality. God destroyed two cities in the plains of Jordan, called Sodom and Gomorrah, because their wickedness was exceedingly great (Genesis 13:10-13). Our English word, "sodomy" is a derivative of the word "Sodom," for the cities were full of the sins of sodomy.
To gain a full understanding, the reader is urged to read Genesis 19:1-25. These cities were filled with homosexuality. Note the language of Genesis 19:4-5, "Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them {carnally}." (All Bible quotes in this brochure are from the New King James Version). Notice the language, "that we may know them." It had been used earlier to describe sexual relations in Genesis 4:1, "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain..." The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their sins; only Lot and his two daughters were saved.
All this occurred well before the giving of the law on Sinai (Exodus 20). Did God's attitude change toward homosexuality after the giving of the law? If the reader will turn to Leviticus 18:22-30, he will note that God's attitude did not change. God condemns homosexuality and gives the consequence for such in Leviticus 20:13, "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."
What about today under the New Testament, has God's attitude changed? Certainty God has not changed. As a matter of fact, Sodom and Gomorrah are mentioned in the New Testament as example for all would who commit the same sin. Jude 7 says, "...As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
Notice how the apostle Paul describes the sin in Romans 1:26-27, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." Paul describes what they were doing as being against nature. If homosexuality is natural, why aren't animals practicing it? It is not natural. It is against nature and more importantly it is against God.
Homosexuality is not a disease or an abnormality of the brain. It is learned behavior, much like lying, stealing, fornication, etc. Those that learn and practice such must stop. 1 Corinthians 6:9says, "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." The homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. They must bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
Recently Colorado residents voted on "Amendment Two" which was designed to keep from
discriminating against "gays." The amendment was voted down and as result the "gays" are in an
uproar and threatening to leave Colorado. Sounds like they have a guilty conscience!
Friends, it is not a sin for the color of one's skin to be white, red, yellow, or black, and we shouldn't discriminate against another because of it. However, it is a sin to be a homosexual. It is not a matter of discrimination. It is a matter of right or wrong in the sight of Almighty God. If the homosexuals want to call our stand against their sin as "discriminatory," so be it!
I found it absolutely shocking to read in the Beacon Journal (3-3-92) that a Raleigh, North Carolina Baptist church was giving its approval to "gay nuptials." By a nearly two-thirds majority, this Southern Baptist church "defied its parent church by voting to bless a gay union." The preacher said, "We're taking a stand toward a responsible expression of sexuality...It's a stand of support toward persons who want to commit to a long-term monogamous relationship." Therefore, two homosexual men will be "blessed" at a future service.
What we see here is a case of still another human denomination changing its position on the sin of homosexuality. To them, it will no longer be considered a sin. They voted and decided it was not a sin. I wonder, if it works with homosexuality, will it also work for murder, stealing, or adultery? Where is the passage of Scripture that says men can vote to change God's law? This illustrates what happens when people abandon the Scriptures. The longer they act without Scriptural authority, the farther they get from it.
Incidentally, some say homosexuals are born that way and cannot change. This is another effort of men trying to justify themselves while practicing that which God forbids. A holy and righteous God would never condemn someone for something he had no control over. There were homosexuals at Corinth who obeyed the Gospel. Paul said, "Neither... homosexuals, nor sodomites...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). If homosexuals can't change from their abominable life, how do you suppose the Corinthians managed to do so?
Homosexuality is condemned from the beginning of the Bible to the end. We will all stand before God to give an account of the things done in the body (2 Cor. 5:10), and every knee will bow to Him (Phil. 2:9-11; Rom. 14:11-12). May our God and Father help us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Him (2 Cor. 7:1). May the Eternal God give us strength to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Eph. 5:11).
Please study these passages in the light of your own Bible. The Spruce Pine church of Christ invites you to worship with us and learn more of these precious truths. We pray that you will conform your life to God's Infallible Word!
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