- Of course we have watched for years this surge of interest in affirming homosexuality. "Whether it's at the heart of a religious scandal, political corruption, radical legislation, or the redefinition of marriage, homosexual interest has come to characterize America." John MacArthur
To think of the success of this agenda, even some national churches have wavered on this issue. To think now, many folks are wavering on this issue that marriage could be man to man and woman with woman. While sin is sin, living with unmarried man and woman is not the same as man with man, I don't think.
A few years ago, ten maybe, your sexual life was not talked about; but if it were, and you were a homosexual, you were not looked upon as normal. Rock Hudson kept this secret until near his death.
Today, it's out in the open. So how should we respond to the success of this agenda that the homosexual community of a few have? Should we just accept this recent trend toward tolerance? Should we just exclude homosexuals with hostility and dislike?
Of course. in my youth we never knew who was a homosexual; therefore, the issue was never an issue. Today, it's okay in many circles to be a homosexual. In the workplace, in the sports field, in college, you now know those who are homosexual. And it seems you really have to balance your response about this issue.
Of course, some advocates have been rather successful or effective in selling their warped interpretations of passages in Scripture that address this issue.
Ask a homosexual what the Bible says about their lifestyle. They will almost to the person say, "I could be a Christian and still have my lifestyle."
Might I say, any pro-homosexual arguments from the Word of God are nothing but strawmen, that is smokescreens.
The activity is the sin. While all men and women are sinners, the activity is sin as well. If God condemns an activity, it is sin. IF the state of California says it's ok, God doesn't change his mind on the issue.
WHY DOES GOD CHARGE THE ACT OF HOMOSEXUALITY AS SIN?
First, it changes God's fundamental design for human relationship - a design that pictures the complementary relationship between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6 and Ephesians 5:22-23) You understand that the Christian's first position is to take the view of Scripture.
You rightly ask, "Then why are so many people, and even Christians, persuaded to believe what the homosexuals have said the Bible is saying about their lifestyle?" While the Bible is really clear about this issue, this is rather simple. PEOPLE WANT TO BE CONVINCED. Sinners, Christians and Non-Christians have to defy reason and truth and accept error to quiet their accusing consciences (Romans 2:14-16). Man would rather believe a lie than the truth to cover up their own deeds of sinful living.
While as I learn of some people that I like, are now open about their lifestyles, I must not be hostile toward them. At the same time, I must not yield to say it's now okay to have this lifestyle, since the Courts are saying it's okay.
As Christians we are to uphold the Word of God, not the Courts of the United States in matters that are Biblical. We are not to be intimidated by homosexual advocates and their view of what is sin. Their arguments are without substance.
You can read all the new translations you want to try to convince yourself that lifestyles different from what Scriptures teach is right, and you will still be wrong.
With all this said, there is another side to this. We are to be Biblical in our approach to this issue as we would be to any sinful behavior and to anyone who is in error of their living.
In reality, a person who has not been freed from the bondage of sin, is not free from sinful activity. They really can't see the sinfulness of sin. They are not necessarily being defiant, they really just can't see why what they are doing is wrong.
It's the same I believe, when you are trying to convince a person to become a Christian, and they will say, "Why, I am already a Christian." In their mind they do not see the reason why they are sinners, and God is not accepting of them. Many people are offended when you say they are not going to Heaven unless they are born again. They really believe they are going to Heaven, because God loves all people, and He and Peter will allow all people who are good to enter into Heaven. Isn't that what the world says?
If you have a friend who is homosexual, what do you do? First, don't accept his interpretation of Scripture as truth. It's not. Secondly, do not be intimidated. Because you shouldn't be. Don't get hostile, name calling, or whatever you might like to say. Do as you would be with any person who is not a Christian. If asked what you believe about their lifestyle, don't back down. But also do it as an act of love toward the sinner, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
They might say, "I am a Christian." They might say, "The Bible doesn't say it's wrong." Make sure you understand what the Scripture is saying before you speak so you won't get it wrong. However, remember that only God, by the Holy Spirit, can change hearts and beliefs about their sinful activities.
What you are trying to do is not to bring damnation on the head of homosexuals, you are trying to bring convictions so that they can turn from that sin and embrace the only hope of salvation for all of us sinners- - and that's through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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