Paul told Timothy the following: [2 Tim 3:16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [2 Tim 3:17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  Simply put, the word of God gives complete instructions for right living which includes good works, meaning those acts that benefit others. Before those words Paul wrote: 2 Tim 2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  Rightly dividing the truth can be said another way: understand the nature of the truth presented and what it means for proper application of the Word’s truth so found.

That brings us to the discussion of the homosexual conduct that is raging across the land in public and all segments of society, including the church. The Bible is used by both those who say homosexual acts are sin and those who say the Bible is wrong, or that since Jesus didn’t address the subject it wasn’t a problem. Both can’t be right and by necessity one must be false. (For related articles see Such Were Some of You Part I and Part II this site).  

It is essential to under stand that the Jews were given the Law in the Old Testament and the Gentiles weren’t. The Gentiles were without the law: [Rom 2:14] For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: [Rom 2:15] Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) [Rom 2:16] In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. In other words, the Gentiles knew right from wrong. The Gospels are an account of Jesus and his ministry as it related to the Jews. Since the Gentiles weren’t involved in that ministry, Jesus didn’t need to address the subject of homosexual conduct. (See previous articles Part I and Part II)

Paul addressed the issue in I Corinthians and because of that, those who practice homosexual conduct and their sympathizers accuse him of being homophobic. To the contrary, Paul being well schooled in the laws of Moses knew that homosexual conduct was sinful and was counter to right living and salvation. Paul’s addressing homosexual issues is connected to the law of the heart as Paul wrote in Romans, cited above, and the work of Jesus on the cross to destroy sin.

Jesus said: [Mat 5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  In order to be saved under the law, each jot and tittle of the law had to be fulfilled perfectly. Jesus fulfilled the requirements and we know that he did because the Holy Spirit raised him from the grave. Several things happened due to his life and death, but the one that didn’t happen was that of setting aside the moral aspects of the law. The ceremonial parts were destroyed and the requirement of perfection to be saved was now present in Jesus and his perfection could be and can be yet claimed by faith.

Since the moral parts of the law weren’t set aside, and since the Gentiles kept the moral precepts and principles, and given the fact that the moral principles transcended the setting aside of certain aspects of the law, when Cornelius and those of his house obeyed the gospel, the moral principles of the law continued in their application to all men, first to the Jews and then the Gentiles alike. When Paul told Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth, Paul knew whereof he spoke since he himself did so all during his ministry.

Those who contend for sinful conduct are not only fooling themselves using phony arguments, but are destroying those who need the wise counsel of God to be saved. Truth will prevail and those who don’t rightly divide the word will live in agony for eternity. Any argument to the contrary is false.

© 05-26-2006 DEC

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