Have you noticed the extremes that the recent acceptance of homosexuality in politics and military has caused in the Christian community?  I have. On one side of the issue is the Westboro Baptist Church response – HATE.  These people have set up picket signs at funerals to denounce America’s acceptance of homosexuality and equate the killings as God’s judgment against America.  On the other side of the issue is a recent church sign – JESUS HAD 2 DADS.  The implication of this is obvious. Since Jesus had two fathers (Joseph & God – though Joseph was only His adopted father), it must be okay for a gay couple to adopt a child.

Recently I was studying for a sermon about the friendship of David and  Jonathan.  They are often used by the gay movement as a prime example of homosexual lovers in the Bible. It’s suggested that when it says that Jonathan loved David it’s meant in a sexual way.  So I thought I would use this opportunity to bring a balance to this contemporary issue.

Is Homosexuality Wrong?

Homosexuality is a very complex issue and is greatly misunderstood by society. Growing up I thought homosexuals were either effeminate men or masculine women. But this stereotype can be misleading. Some homosexuals are very militant, resulting in the formation of gay organizations. Yet, others attempt to cover up their behavior for fear of discovery. Homosexuality can be found in every strata of our society.

Homosexuality cannot be dismissed as simply an alternate lifestyle or a different sexual orientation.  Neither can it be argued that they were ‘born this way.’  The Bible regards homosexuality as a sin and is disobedience against God’s Law.

“Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped … created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” (Romans 1:24-27)

God loves Homosexuals

God doesn’t love the homosexual any less than He does anyone else.  There is no sin that God does not hate and there is no sinner that God does not love.  However, homosexuality is a behavior that is a departure from God’s expressed order.  Though many homosexuals may feel that they have not chosen their sexual orientation, the fact remains that they have responded improperly to this orientation.  It is their response which must be dealt with in the light of Scripture.

God has established the expression of our sexuality in the confines of a marital covenant between a man and a woman.  This is God’s basis for society.

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone, but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:3,4)

Christians should love Homosexuals

Christians need to take a hard look at our attitudes and treatment of gays and lesbians.  We cannot, of course, condone the homosexual lifestyle. Nor can we encourage their involvement as unrepentant sinners in the life of the church.  However, we should address the problem honestly and realistically, in love and understanding. It is not God’s will that anyone should be bound by homosexuality. His grace is sufficient to bring victory to these who are willing to submit this area to Him.

It is encouraging to hear the testimonies of deliverance through the power of the Gospel, even though some may never be completely free from homosexual tendencies or even temptations. We can witness to the transforming power of the person and work of Jesus Christ in any life. The only real antidote to this problem, as to any type of sinful behavior, is a personal, intimate, continuous relationship to Jesus Christ. This relationship is an ongoing process of growth and change. Sometimes it is a painful process, with times of relapses and discouragement. But don’t let the set-backs lead to a sense of despair.  Keep confessing your sin – Jesus is faithful to keep forgiving.

Back to the close relationship between David and Jonathan.  The word that’s used for Jonathan loving David is the same word that’s used earlier for Saul’s response to David (1 Samuel 16:21). It describes a love and bond that is forged in battle.  David and Jonathan were equally brave and equally convinced that God was behind Israel.  Both were leaders of men. Their close friendship was brought together by a mutual commitment to loyalty and godly passion – much like the bond that is forged in the military or sports team. I think we’ve come to a sorry state if we think that the only way two men, or two women for that matter, can have a close relationship is if it’s sexual.

Can we talk about the reality of homosexuality without getting all angry?

What do you think? 

Is homosexuality just another legitimate lifestyle or is it sinful and against God’s original plan?