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bible-ready-challenge

Homosexuality

God loves sinners and God saves sinners.

This is true of all categories of sin. However, when God saves someone, he doesn’t just tell them to continue in their sin. God’s plan is always repentance and a walk of holiness.

The Wrong Message

The wrong message of the church today could be summed up under two main headings.  First, the church that condones homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle is sharing the wrong message.  We must note that God has only one plan for humanity and it’s found in the creation account in Genesis 1 where He created humans with gender specificity (male and female) and joined them together and blessed them.  To turn from God’s intended pattern of marriage is to alter God’s intended purpose for your life.

Secondly, the wrong message of the church today is the “turn or burn” message.  The church must address the issues of homosexuality, but it’s not enough to merely shout “turn or burn” from the pulpit.  We must show from the clear biblical testimony that God has always been opposed to homosexuality.  We see this in Genesis 19 as God destroyed two cities that were saturated with the sinfulness of homosexuality (among other sins).  It’s condemned as a lifestyle in the law of God (see Leviticus).  However, it is likewise condemned in the New Testament in places such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, and Romans 1.

The Message of Hope

Are all people who have battled with same-sex attraction doomed to the judgment of God?  Must anyone who has battled with same-sex attraction just go ahead and surrender to the homosexual temptations?  Absolutely not. The same thing could be said of someone battling with drunkenness or adultery.  Just because a person is tempted in this area doesn’t mean they are created as a homosexual and should just give up. The idea that people who struggle with homosexual thoughts are merely created as a homosexual is a lie. We live in a world filled with sin and impacted greatly by sin. The thoughts of same-sex attraction should be seen as sinful and resisted. There is hope in the gospel for people battling with thoughts regarding homosexuality. God saves sinners of all types. Same-sex attraction and the harboring of such thoughts is unnatural and should be repented of immediately. Jesus taught about lust and the human heart in Matthew 5:28.

It is the duty of the church to address sinners with the Word of God.  The reality of ministry is that it’s often messy!  The web of sin is often complicated and difficult to unravel.  However, that is the duty of the faithful church. What we at Pray’s Mill want people to know is that the Bible is sufficient to answer your questions on subjects like homosexuality. 

Consider the following

  1. God saved savage murderers – The city of Nineveh (see Jonah).
  2. God saved a terrorist named Saul (Acts 9).
  3. God saved a wretched group of sinners in Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

We must be clear, homosexuality (a form of sexual perversion and sexual immorality) is not consistent with God’s will for humanity.  God is sovereign over the entire race of humanity and has designed a blueprint for humanity. Homosexuality is like spray painting graffiti on a Rembrandt painting. It’s an attack upon God’s design.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; [4] that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, [5] not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; [6] that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. [7] For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. [8] Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

The clear warning from Scripture explains that all unrepentant homosexuals who die will spend eternity in hell under God’s wrath.

Revelation 21:8 – But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Romans 10:13 is true for all types of sinners–including homosexuals who repent.  Romans 10:13 reads, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

One day, before the throne of God above, there will be a multitude of people from every kindred, tongue, tribe and nation praising God and worshipping the Lamb – Jesus Christ – who died for our sins (Revelation 5).  Among that group will be homosexuals who have been redeemed by Jesus.

It is our prayer that if you’re struggling with this sin that you will take time to consider the full counsel of God beginning with creation and continuing to the cross.  Will you repent and turn to Jesus?  God will save you and change your life just as He did many throughout history and in our present day.  If you would like to speak with Pastor Josh Buice or a member of our pastoral staff – please e-mail us at office@praysmill.com or call 770-942-6597.

Helpful Resources:

Answering Key Questions About Homosexuality – John MacArthur

Voddie Baucham – Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality….