The Bible and Homosexuality

What does the Bible really say abut homosexuality? Today's culture is more and more acceptable of the homosexual lifestyle. Much has changed regarding how the world views homosexuality and there is greater acceptance of those who openly accept it as their lifestyle. At the same time, most Christians view the Word of God -- the Bible -- as never changing, as being the same today as it was when it was first written and given to men. So . . . no matter how much culture changes, the Bible's view of homosexuality can't change. It is truth.

Part of the truth in God's Word is that sin is forgiven, and that includes the sin of homosexuality. Those who would like to set it aside from other sins are not being Biblical and are shortchanging the power of Christ's death and resurrection. It was for all.

While Jesus did not Himself discuss homosexuality openly, there are many things Jesus did not discuss. Pedophilia for example, or drug abuse. But Jesus made it clear that He believed the writings in the Old Testament to be authoritative. The Bible has a number of verses about homosexuality.

Such WERE some of you . . .

The Bible has a number of verses about homosexuality. Homosexuality is identified as one of the sins with which men and women struggle . . . even Christians. However, it is important to look at the verses about homosexuality in context with the overall message of hope and redemption.

The recognition of homosexuality as a sin . . . but one of many sins from which we can be cleansed is in I Corinthians 6:9-11: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. 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.

In other words, homosexuality is a sin like any other. It can be forgiven and removed through believing in Christ and yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now . . . the other main verses in the Bible which address homosexuality:

Genesis 19: 1-5 -- The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning."
"No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

Leviticus 18:22 -- Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Leviticus 20:13 -- If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Romans 1: 22-29 -- Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.

I Corinthians 6:9 -- Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.

1 Timothy 1:10 -- and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Jude 1:7 -- In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

That all sounds pretty harsh, but remember that God sent His Son so we could be free and forgiven of our sins, and that includes homosexuality. Yes, the grip is strong and the judgment is heavy from the people here on earth . . . but the healing Christ offers is real and God has a different path on which He hopes we will walk.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He Will make your paths straight. -- Proverbs 3:5-6.

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