The previous lesson dealt with false teaching that Jesus didn’t address homosexuality or homosexual marriage. Keep in mind that God didn’t address homosexual marriage since he said that marriage was between a man and a woman. That has been the standard for every society since the beginning except Sodom and Gomorrah. Jewish historians suggest that the real reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was because they made homosexual marriage or liaisons legal as if it were a natural behavior. That angered God and the cities were destroyed.

An attempt is made to prove that part of the problem in Sodom and Gomorrah was bestiality, not homosexuality. That can’t stand scrutiny since behavior with animals isn’t part of the biblical record at this point. Illicit behavior with animals is recorded in Leviticus18:23, Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Additionally, Jude 1:7 is at times used to prove bestiality or at the least people suggest that it could mean that since the words are strange flesh. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. There are several problems with that idea. One, Sodom and Gomorrah and other cites are referenced in the verse as giving themselves over to fornication and as going after strange flesh. Two, strange means different or other, but it isn’t a reference to a different species.

Strange is an adjective that modifies flesh. It is a given that the Greek word for flesh never means anything but the outward material form which is the embodiment of the sinful human nature as opposed to the spirit. (See Romans 8:6-7; Colossians 2:18; Hebrews 9:10) Using the facts of the scriptures, it can be concluded with logic and reason that bestiality isn’t the subject in either Genesis or Jude. Harmony of the scriptures won’t allow reading into the Bible things that aren’t there. If one verse or series of verses don’t address a matter, then a verse or verses that reference the former, can’t refer to something else either. Each writer expresses the same subject in different ways, but the meaning doesn’t change.

Now let’s address the Gentiles argument of not having the law. The reason the Gentiles didn’t have it was because the God chose the Jews through Abraham to bring Jesus into the world.  But that didn’t keep the Gentile societies from following the Laws of Moses to maintain a stable society. Paul wrote in Romans 2:14-16 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: 15 Which show 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;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. It is very clear that the Gentiles knew the advantages of following God’s moral and ethical laws. It was the nature of many people to create laws of right and wrong that followed God’s way. Both the Jews and the Gentiles had a common understanding of morals and ethics which began in the Garden of Eden and transferred to people born   to Noah and his family after the flood.

Although many parts of the Laws of Moses weren’t unique (other societies had laws to guide their societies), God’s written code to his people was for the purpose of showing people that they couldn’t avoid sin by following a law; they couldn’t wipe away sin with animal sacrifices; and that keeping of the law wouldn’t bring salvation since violations of the law were unrighteousness. Nearly all societies had moral codes similar to God’s moral principles, which showed that the knowledge of God’s laws were pervasive throughout the world of that time.

It therefore can be concluded that the non-Hebraic societies held the same regard for decency as the Hebrews, and the argument that the issue of homosexuality didn’t apply to the Gentiles is false. Moral decency has been the hallmark of all great societies and when they forget God’s way, trouble and turmoil is the consequence.

Now, the question is asked for the final time, “Why Do I Not Believe God?” It is submitted that those who don’t are refusing to humble themselves before God and admit they are sinners in need of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ. You are left to think on two verses with the end of the series. The first is Matthew 12;23 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. The second one is James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Amen!

        Now ask yourself, Why do I not believe God?

© 06-28-2008 DEC

                Next lesson In The Name of Jesus Part I