Homosexuality:
An Unacceptable Alternate Lifestyle
The
churches of Christ Greet You (Romans 16:16)
The
subject of homosexuality should not need to be addressed by
any one because of its abhorrent nature; certainly not by any one
confessing to
being a Christian. However, like many subjects that are somewhat
delicate in
nature or "we don't like to talk about that type of thing," it must
be taught about. In spite of what we wish, it is very prevalent today.
Larger
and larger parts of the male population are becoming homosexual. Since
the
Bible is the primary source of right and wrong the Bible is where we
must go to
find the answers to this horrible sin. Please note the following
points.
1. Homosexuality is unnatural. Romans 1:26-27
"For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections; for
even their women did change the natural use into that which is against
nature;
and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned
in
their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is
unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet."
Homosexuality is a learned practice you are not born different.
2. Homosexuality is Indecent. Rom 1:27
3. Homosexuality is degrading.
Rom 1:24
"Therefore
God gave them over unto sinful desires of their
hearts to sexual impurities for the dishonourment (degrading) of their
bodies
with one another".
4. Homosexuality is abuse of the body.
The prevalence of disease (Aids, Syphilis and other diseases)
should be deterrent enough, but listen to the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 6:18-19,
"He
that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? Know ye
not
that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which
ye have
of God, and ye are not your own"?
5. Continued practice of homosexuality will keep one out of the
Kingdom of
God. 1 Cor. 6:9-10
"Know
ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners
shall
inherit the kingdom of God.”
Jude 7-8 makes
reference
to Sodom and Gomorrha; the most notorious
cities of
that day and through all the ages as the sin capitals of the world,
because of
the sin of Homosexuality. Jude says they were "giving themselves over
to
fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an
example,
suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy
dreamers
defile the flesh...” Genesis 19 gives an account of what Jude was
referring to.
Lasciviousness is a sin spoken of in many places in the Bible. The
definition
is; having or denoting wanton desires; lustful. A
sin of the
flesh which the Bible condemns.
James 1:14 tells
us
"Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of this own lust, and
enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin when it
is
finished bringeth forth death." This death is the death in Judgment.
It is not enough for Christians to say to those in sin, "I'm sorry."
We must teach Gods word against it. Many will say "judge not that ye be
not judged," but when the Bible states a principle, it is not we but
God
who is the judge.
The Bible teaches that any disobedience can be forgiven by God. Many
apparently
do not realize that Homosexuality is not an acceptable alternate
lifestyle to
God. A study of the Bible will teach otherwise if they are really
interested.
The final answer to Homosexuality, or any other lifestyle contrary to
Gods
plan, is a new beginning. Things that tempt you can be overcome. 1 Cor. 10:12, "Wherefore
let him that thinketh be standeth take heed lest he fall." Verse 13,
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but
God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but
will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able
to bear
it.”