Does the Bible Permit the Homosexual Lifestyle?
AN ESSENTIAL but volatile issue facing Christian-professing religions around the world at present is the dispute on whether the Bible permits or forbids people to live a homosexual lifestyle. Many churches and religious groups choose to duck this question altogether. That is because those who denounce such a way of living are routinely labeled as outmoded, narrow-minded, or bigoted individuals who do not recognize equal human rights and privileges. Thus, there is enormous pressure in confronting this issue.
On the other hand, many so-called liberal churches now validate practicing homosexuals and even accept them in their leadership ranks. So, there are now those who live that way brazenly and openly, for they believe that they can be both Christian and homosexual at the same time. The shift in the moral foundation on which many “Bible-believing” people once stood is evident, as it has now collapsed and seems irrecoverable. If in the past, most considered homosexuality to be deplorable, or at the very least improper, that is no longer the case today.
On the other hand, many so-called liberal churches now validate practicing homosexuals and even accept them in their leadership ranks. So, there are now those who live that way brazenly and openly, for they believe that they can be both Christian and homosexual at the same time. The shift in the moral foundation on which many “Bible-believing” people once stood is evident, as it has now collapsed and seems irrecoverable. If in the past, most considered homosexuality to be deplorable, or at the very least improper, that is no longer the case today.
Movements, such as that promoted by the so-called LGBTQ community, have become entrenched in various cultures; with their ideas wielding significant sway among many influential personalities. They describe their views, activities, and attitudes as “politically correct,” in order to imply that what they do and promulgate is the correct and appropriate belief to hold. They say that whatever gender they prefer to have, it should be respected and recognized. Whatever pronoun they deem appropriate for their gender preference is allegedly what should be used in referring to them.
How should a true Christian deal with this sensitive subject? If not careful, a conversation about this will most likely turn into endless arguing. Others would even accuse that a discussion will only provide an excuse for others to harm or offend another person or create discord. However, confronting this issue is unavoidable, and true Christians turn to the Holy Scriptures for answers. Since what the Bible teaches are the words of God, it cannot be impugned by merely claiming that it teaches intolerance, because more than a person’s right to choose how he or she lives, it is about the welfare of one’s soul.
AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD
The Bible is the Church Of Christ’s basis of faith; its teachings are the Church members’ basis in conducting their lives and way of living. It is stated explicitly in the Holy Scriptures that God forbids the homosexual lifestyle. Moreover, the biblical teachings on the sanctity of marriage and the true number of sexes all the more reinforce that the Lord God is against that way of life.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor (perversely) effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.”
(Reference: I Cor. 6:9-10 Amplified Bible, Emphasis Mine)
Furthermore, Apostle Paul declared that practicing homosexuality is contrary to sound doctrine:
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine“
(Reference: I Tim. 1:9-10 NIV, Emphasis Mine)
Apostle Pual also taught that those who live that way commit shameless acts and will receive the appropriate penalty for their perversion:
“Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions. For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The males in the same way also left natural relations with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error. And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong…
“Although they know full well God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.”
(Reference: Rom. 1:24-28, 32 Holman Christian Standard Bible, Emphasis Mine)
One should understand that even though times change, God’s will stands and reigns. Since God’s will is written in the Bible, it is clear that the homosexual lifestyle is contrary to the will of God.
ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
When God created the first people, Adam and Eve, He made them man and woman (Gen. 1:27). The Bible makes no mention of a third sex; more so a fourth, a fifth and so on. Others argue that there may be only two sexes, but people can be “gender-fluid,” or that one’s gender can depend on how that person “identifies.” But the Bible is unequivocal in teaching that it is a male and a female who were joined in marriage by God, were blessed, and were made one flesh (Gen. 2:24). This is a sacred arrangement. God’s design of marriage is also taught by the Lord Jesus Christ:
“‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
(Reference: Matt. 19:4-6 New International Version, Emphasis Mine)
God’s law states that only a man and a woman who have received the blessing in marriage have the right to live as husband and wife and engage in acts of intimacy that only married couples should do. Anyone who disobeys this command commits the sin of adultery.
Unfortunately, marriage is redefined by others to include same-sex unions, as there are currently 29 countries and expanding that have legalized gay marriage. In the same vein, same-sex marriage has been legal in all 50 states of the United States of America since 2015. That is compelling evidence that most of the world has shifted its perspective on homosexual acts in comparison to that of the past.
Supporters of such a lifestyle argue that as more countries and governments recognize and legalize same-sex marriage, a significant step toward so-called moral progress is made. They even claim that such is a noble mandate, for this gives those practicing homosexuality a chance to avoid living outside the boundaries of marriage and avoid living in sin.
However, a sin cannot cover up another sin. Categorically, homosexuality is a sin. It is also a sin to undermine God’s design and intention in establishing marriage. Even in the beginning, when God created people, this has not changed; man is to be marry to a woman, not man to another man or woman to another woman (Gen. 2:18-23).
AN EVEN GREATER CONTEMPT
Apostle Paul explained the sanctity and profundity of the marriage institution:
“‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”
(Reference: Eph. 5:31-32 NIV, Emphasis Mine)
The union of the couple—a man and a woman—in marriage to become one symbolizes the profound mystery, a noble truth, of the relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. As the man is the head of his wife, so is Christ the head of His Church, which is His body (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18). The Church is likened to a pure bride promised to one husband Who is the Lord Jesus Christ (II Cor. 11:2 NLT).
The Lord Jesus Christ loved and gave His life for the Church (Eph. 5:25 Good News Bible) that He purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation). The pure love of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Church is the gold standard for married couples in giving love and respect to each other, as the apostles exhorted the believers:
“Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. (No one ever hates his own body. Instead, he feeds it, and takes care of it, just as Christ does the church…
“But it also applies to you: every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband.”
(Reference: Eph. 5:28-29, 33 GNB)
Thus, condoning homosexual practices, much more encouraging it, and affirming same-sex marriage are egregious blasphemies and grievous insults to the union of Christ and His Church, the master plan of the Lord God for the salvation of His people.
THE CONVICTION OF TRUE CHRISTIANS
Since a greater number of people around the world is apparently now becoming more accommodating to or tolerant of those who practice homosexuality, and it may already be the predominant temperament, does this mean that the Church Of Christ should follow suit? The apostles declared how true believers should react:
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”
(Reference: Rom. 12:2 GNB, Emphasis Mine)
The apostles, then, stood their ground on and taught the will of God. The Bible introduces the will of God as truly good and perfect. The standards of the world may change and it may adapt to the dominant ideology or norm that is against God’s will. However, true Christians do not conform to it.
The Church of Christ does value and recognize every individual’s human rights. The Church does not want anybody to be oppressed or discriminated against by others, and it does not promote hatred against anyone. However, as the Church bases its entire belief system on the Bible, the Church does not agree that practicing homosexuality is a right, just as it does not agree that it is anyone’s right to steal, defame, or swindle others, for all those acts are against the teachings of God written in the Bible.
Should the intimidation and precariousness that engulf this matter sway a true Christian’s mind? The apostles left behind a good example for them to follow:
When they do not conform, true Christians are not being narrow- minded, for what they carefully consider and where they put their faith on are the words of God. This discussion is not a matter of human rights; rather, what should be clearly relayed is what is at stake—the salvation of one’s soul. True Christian conviction is not an outmoded faith because it remains consistent with the teachings of God written in the Bible.
The Church of Christ does value and recognize every individual’s human rights. The Church does not want anybody to be oppressed or discriminated against by others, and it does not promote hatred against anyone. However, as the Church bases its entire belief system on the Bible, the Church does not agree that practicing homosexuality is a right, just as it does not agree that it is anyone’s right to steal, defame, or swindle others, for all those acts are against the teachings of God written in the Bible.
Should the intimidation and precariousness that engulf this matter sway a true Christian’s mind? The apostles left behind a good example for them to follow:
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man,’ he said; ‘but see what you have done! You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, and you want to make us responsible for his death!’ Peter and the other apostles answered, ‘We must obey God, not men’.”
(Reference: Acts 5:28-29 GNB)
So, no matter how pleasant a human idea may sound or even if it is viewed as appropriate and good by the majority, the Church will still not uphold such if it contradicts God’s words in the Bible. While many people prefer to be “politically correct,” the Church Of Christ will always stand on what is biblically correct.
Furthermore, Church members are exhorted not to express support for people who refuse to listen to God’s words and, instead rebel and despise God’s counsel. If any of them does such, they will be complicit in their wrongdoings and sin.
Thus, true Christians should actively choose to stand on the same ground: on God’s will. Be it may that the entire world adopts a certain way of life, so long as that is against the will of God, true believers will still not conform. The Church Of Christ declares its unequivocal stand that it will never compromise God’s teachings even in the name of ostensible tolerance and goodwill.
WHAT THE LORD GOD OFFERS
Practicing homosexuality is a sin. People should not look for an excuse to commit a sin; rather, they should avoid every kind of evil (I Thess. 5:22 GNB). Those who fall into sin should be reminded that they should leave behind the sin that burdens them and then renew their way of life. Those who believe that they belong to God should remember that as they go through trials and temptations, they are not on their own, for they can hope in the strength that God gives through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the same principle Apostle Paul abided by and which true Christians imitate:
“But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.”
(Reference: I Cor. 10:13 NLT, Emphasis Mine)
When one falls into sin, what he must do is to rise and change his ways so he can live according to God’s will. What he needs is to put his trust in God. The Lord God will give him the help that he needs to surmount whatever he is going through, and His help is enough. The apostles reminded him about Whom he can turn to when he needs guidance:
“Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God—Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.”
(Reference: Heb. 4:14-16 GNB)
IN CONCLUSION
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Practicing homosexuality is an abomination in God’s eye. Homosexuality is described as a “detestable sin” in Leviticus 18:22 (New Living Translation). In the Old Testament, the penalty for homosexual acts was death, according to Leviticus 20:13, demonstrating that such was a serious sin as it demanded the most severe punishment.
2
The sanctity of marriage is only instituted between a man and a woman, not female with female or male to male; those who practice such unnatural things deserve to die according to the written words of God.
3
Condoning homosexual practices, much more encouraging it, and affirming same-sex marriage are egregious blasphemies and grievous insults to God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, Apostle Paul stated, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world” (Rom 12:2).
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5
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HERE YOU WILL FIND a list of contentious topics and prevalent doctrines that have been embraced by mainstream Christianity. These beliefs and practices deviate from the core teachings of Christ and His apostles.
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