A letter which appeared in the Voices section of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, August 18, 2012 demonstrates the effort by those who practice homosexuality or who support to justify it and support by using the Bible. The writer of the letter in question is either confused regarding the message of God or refuses to accept it. The writer as with most of those who support the deviant behavior did recognize that sin is the foundation for all that is said in scripture concerning homosexuality. And when sin is discounted, justification, righteousness, holiness and sanctification have no meaning. When all in the foregoing sentence is ignored, then homosexual conduct becomes just another way to live devoid of conscience and the consequent moral guilt of being a sinner.

From the tone of the letter, it appears that the writer does not believe in God or follow Jesus and his teachings as contained in the Bible. In the letter he tries to use the Bible to lay a guilt trip on those who have what he calls “justification for anti-gay sentiments.” He wants to know why the teaching of universal love and acceptance of their supposed Messiah disappears when someone different is found. Note the word “supposed” Messiah which indicates he doesn’t think he needs the Messiah. The writer falls back on the worn out question of “Where in their Bible does Jesus ever condemn homosexuality?” This demonstrates a lack of biblical knowledge by those who try to justify the deviant behavior by such a question. Ironically, those who deny the truth found in the scriptures, attempt to use those same scriptures to excuse and justify their behavior.

First, Jesus lived under the law and had to follow it. However, Jesus came not to condemn, but to save lost humanity. When Jesus was on earth he stated clearly his intent and told his hearers the message he had from God, in John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  That verse is not the formula for salvation as many wrongfully teach. It is the statement for the reason he came to earth and proceeded to the cross; it does not replace what follows in his teaching and that of the apostles.

Few if any, ever cite the next five verses, 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (Note verses 17-18). The words condemn, believeth not, darkness, evil, hateth, and reproved stand out. Jesus was speaking and continues to speak through the written word that all those are opposite of God. Given that he lived under the law, he had to keep the law  and point out evil and since the Old Testament condemned homosexuality, then it has to be understood that such behavior is evil. Paul wrote in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; That is the condemnation of which Jesus spoke; to be short of God’s glory is to be condemned.

Did Jesus say anything concerning the sin of homosexuality? Most certainly he did.  When the Pharisees tried to tarp him on the question of divorce Matthew recorded his answer in Chapter 19:4-5 4  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Especially note that he said male and female, man and wife, not partner or significant other. Jesus relied upon Genesis 2:22-24  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. The statement in Genesis 2 and the words of Jesus eliminate any idea that homosexual behavior should be acceptable or considered normal. Thus, the penalties found in the Old Testament were given to maintain purity of human relationships.

One other fact must be taken into account. Since homosexual conduct was forbidden, the Jews knew it was not only an abomination (Leviticus 18:22) but that they would be put to death If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Leviticus 20:13). That never applied to the Gentiles, though Paul did write that the Gentiles followed the law written on the heart, Romans 2:14-16. Since deviant conduct was not an issue with Jesus and the Pharisees, Jesus did not address it directly. Paul did address the matter in Romans One and I Corinthians 6:9-11.

But one more item must be examined. The writer wrote, “Or maybe you could get over your fear of other people’s differences and let them love each other.” “Homosexual love” if it exists, is not based on God’s love and is an abomination now just as it was in the days of the scriptures. And nowhere in the scriptures is the word love as used in reference to God, his work in Christ to forgive sin and the kind of life he wants everyone to live, ever used in the context of homosexuality. To  suggest that “homosexual love” is equitable with God’s love is reprehensible. Homosexual love? Not according to the scriptures.

© 08-18-2012 DEC