Part 2: A Biblical Response to Homosexuality (and every other sin)

In the public discourse homsexuality has generally either been vilified or glorified.  It’s been vilified to the point where it is almost seen as the unforgivable sin, or an irreversible course.  It’s been glorified as an acceptable “alternative lifestyle”, or seen as just two people in love.  Neither is Biblically accurate.  So, what does the Bible say?

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people––none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT

There are many passages that discuss homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13, Leviticus 18:22-24, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Timothy 1:8-10) but I believe the above passage is the best at dealing with each end of the spectrum that is often proclaimed.  As you read the verse it is obvious that those who “practice homosexuality” will not “inherit the Kingdom of God”, but wait the verse also includes those who are sexually promiscuous,  those who worship anything other than God, those who have affairs, prostitutes, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and cheaters.  The idea that homosexuality is in a special grouping all by itself and is therefore a sin above other sins is patently false according to Scripture.  On the other side, the idea that homosexuality is not really a sin, or it’s okay as long as you’re in a committed relationship is equally false according to Scripture.

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT

“Some of you were once like that”, Paul is literally saying that some of the people in the church at Corinth were homosexuals, prostitutes, abusers, etc…, but they met Jesus Christ!  This blows a hole in the idea that somehow homosexuality is an unpardonable sin, or that someone who practices homosexuality cannot accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  However, it also dismantles the idea that homosexuality is genetic, or that a person is just ‘born that way’.  Are people born with a predisposition or with a proclivity towards certain destructive behaviors?  Yes, 100% yes!  I have a predisposition of a very hot and quick temper, is it okay then for me to just blow up whenever I feel like it?  Absolutely not, because it goes against what Christ has called me to and robs me of God’s best for me.

So, how do I respond to those involved with homosexuality?  The same way I do with everyone who is trapped and held captive by sin, I do everything in my power to help them experience the life-altering reality of Jesus Christ.  If a person does not know Christ then there is no escape from sin.  The Bible makes it unbelievably clear that before coming to Christ, sin is our MASTER.  It is pointless for me to tell someone to change their ways before they have met the one who empowers the change.

What about those people who have accepted Christ, yet are still involved in homosexuality?  Ah, here’s where the rubber meets the road!  We handle it the same way we would if someone were having an affair, having sex before marriage, was an alcoholic or a drug addict.  We lovingly come alongside and teach them the truth of the Word of God and help them understand that this is not God’s best for them, that it is a sin, that in order to experience the life that God has called them to this behavior must stop…

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.  Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. – Galatians 6:1-3 NLT

To put it succinctly, Love them to Christ then Lead them to Christ’s best.

Part 3: What about Gay Marriage?