On June 27, 2013, the cover of USA TODAY featured a startling photo of 2 middle-aged men kissing. This picture was published along with an article explaining the Supreme Court decision which backed the recognition of gay marriage through the “Defense of Marriage Act.”
In June of 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges, another major decision by the Supreme Court would legalize homosexual marriage in all 50 states. Many in the gay community would call these SC rulings GOOD NEWS.
Since then, according to the Associated Press, and the US Census Bureau data, as of September of 2020, nearly 1 million U.S. households are composed of same-sex couples.
More recently, in September 2021, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and current Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, posted on social media a picture of he and his “husband” together in a hospital bed holding their two adopted children. The picture went viral. (I’m not sure why they would need a hospital bed since neither of them went into labor but that’s a side note). People who call themselves “progressives” view Buttigieg’s gay relationship, their adoption, and these SC decisions, as steps toward a better America. In actuality, these occurrences are a reflection of America’s spiritual and moral regression.
The purpose of this article is to lovingly declare God’s Good News to the homosexual and to further equip Christians who have loved ones involved in the sodomite lifestyle.
While many in the Christian community are silent on this issue, the Bible is not. The Word of God reveals humanity’s problem, God’s plan, and the Christian’s position regarding homosexuality.
Humanity's Problem
Humanity’s problem is sin. Romans 1:18-32 explains the progression of God’s wrath on a society that indulges in unbridled sin. If you take time to read that passage, you will see exactly what’s happening currently in America.
I Corinthians 6:9,10 list several sinful deeds of the unrighteous, including homosexual sins. Romans 3:23 declares that all are sinners. A huge difference in America today and America 60-70 years-ago is that sin is now boldly showcased on the cover of our newspapers, social media, and on daily TV shows.
Remember when I LOVE LUCY was on television and Dezi and Lucy couldn’t sleep in the same bed? They slept in separate beds even though they were married in real life. There was a day when the F.C.C. wouldn’t allow bra commercials on TV. Our society has accepted this gradual shift of public displays of immorality as the way the world is now. Some Christians have stopped taking a loving, Christ-honoring stand against sin, and have started to accept the overtly immoral condition of our society as the way things are in the “USA TODAY.”
The apathetic Christian is part of our sin problem. Within the Christian community, a distorted sense of discretion has recently developed when it comes to condemning sin of various types. Yet, understanding that the “wages of sin is death,” Christians should be as lovingly vehement as ever to proclaim the good news that Christ died for sinners, and that sinners do not have to face the consequences of their sin, nor do we have to live in this life enslaved by our sinful desires.
God's Plan
We recognize that sin is a problem, so what is God’s plan? God’s plan is redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to set the sinner free from the consequences and bondage of sin.
After the list of the sinful deeds of the unrighteous in 1 Corinthians 6, verse 11 indicates GOOD NEWS when it states, “and such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The Bible is saying that all who are involved in unrighteousness can be righteous through Jesus Christ.
Homosexuals, like all sinners, are redeemable through Christ. That’s divine good news. Verse 11 indicates that the church at Corinth was a gathering of sinners, saved by the grace of God. 2 Peter 3:9 says that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God wants all people to turn to Him for salvation no matter their specific sinful propensities.
God’s plan for marriage is explained in Genesis 2:18 and 24 and it is to be between one man and one woman for life. In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus references Genesis and reinforces that marriage is between one man and one woman for life. Since creation, this has always been God’s plan for marriage and any deviation from this, in any generation, is sin.
The problem with homosexuality is that it’s sin, but God’s plan is salvation through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What should a Christian’s position be regarding homosexuality? How should a Christian treat a loved one who claims to be a homosexual? How should a Christian respond to the civil rights claims of the gay community? The Christian should take a position that reflects the gospel. They should take a cross-position. The cross represents an offer of love, forgiveness, atonement and reconciliation.
If you have a loved one who is involved in a homosexual lifestyle, let them know that God loves them and that Christ offers forgiveness and victory over sin. Secondly, the Christian should take a patient-position. The indoctrination of the gay community is extremely strong and often it takes time and many attempts to reach them with the GOOD NEWS of Christ.
The Christian's Position
Thirdly, the Christian’s position should be an active position. If you do nothing, you will accomplish nothing.
Opening your Bible and showing them the love of God through the Word of God is always better than just explaining to them what you think about their lifestyle.
However, as you endeavor to instruct them from the Word of God, be sure that you are personally pursuing holiness. Be sure that you are living out the implications of the gospel as best as a finite person can with the help of the Holy Spirit. Beware of being guilty of the mote and beam illustration that Jesus explains in His Sermon on the Mount. Your gospel message to your homosexual loved one, will be much more effective if it’s accompanied by a gospel lifestyle.
Another way you can take an active position is to spend time in earnest prayer and private fasting for those you know that are involved in a homosexual lifestyle. Pray, not only for their soul, but also for wisdom, patience and the Spirit’s power in your life.
And, pray for America. Nationally, we need to get back to the Bible. John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, once said, “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the Word of God, and it teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next.”
With every passing day, it seems that sin is becoming more socially accepted, excused, and even enthusiastically endorsed. Yet, divine judgement awaits. The Bible declares that “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.” HOWEVER, “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” (Hebrews 10:27-28a)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Call on Him today. (Romans 10:9-13)
However, if you believe that you’re already saved, yet you’re actively involved in a sinful lifestyle, I exhort you to begin to live in a way that pleases God, because Jesus is coming again. Consider reading closely 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5; 5:2-6.
Divine accountability is coming soon; individually and nationally. Let us all “watch and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:6)
The above article was written by Pastor James C. Johnson. To offer him your feedback, email him at pastor@northstonebaptist.org.
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