Resources to aid your Understanding
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| Resources to aid your Understanding |
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Subtitle: Is It "Worse" Than Lying, Cheating, Stealing, etc., etc?
Make no mistake about it--the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination to God--all who practice it are excluded from entering heaven. Period! (1 Corinthians 6:9, to be quoted and commented upon later, Lord willing).
But now that we have that introductory remark out of the way, let us take a hard look at this highly divisive issue--while trying to be as objective as possible.
In a previous article on the subject (www.cuttingedge.org/articles/p155.htm), we gave various Scripture references to show God clearly prohibits sexual relations between those of the same gender. The normal child-producing union between male and female is not possible in a male-male, or female-female homosexual relationship--and circumvents the very purpose for gender differences. But it is not the intent of this article to point fingers and condemn to hell everyone who disagrees with us. On the contrary, we want to share some observations and make an honest attempt to get people to think, rather than react with unbridled emotion.
Obviously, controversy always has at least two (and sometimes more) opposing viewpoints. And I think we can all agree that argument by itself will never accomplish anything of substance unless the opposing factions make an honest attempt to consider both sides of the question with objectivity in mind.
So the first point we want to bring up for both sides to consider is that "straight" men and women are repulsed by the very thought of homosexuality. If calling it "homophobia" makes ultra-liberals happy, so be it-- but it is a natural reaction shared by the majority. And Christians need to recognize this aversion is deliberatedly being blunted by repeated exposure to the reality that there is a growing number of homosexuals among us. In fact, the present TV fare featuring "gay" sitcoms is obviously for that purpose--to gradually cause people to tolerate the "alternate life-style" by means of a psychological ploy that rarely fails. Use the media to hold up a social taboo before the public long enough, and the majority will eventually accept or ignore it. Profanity is a perfect example. Before the movie "Gone With The Wind" premiered in 1939, censors strenuously objected to a line spoken by Clark Gable's character (Rhett Butler) in which he said, "Frankly Scarlet, I don't give a d**n!" Unfortunately, the line was allowed to remain and since then--slowly but surely--offensive language has grown to be a filthy blight on America. And, given enough time, we will doubtless see homosexuality once again become an accepted part of everyday life--as has been the case with every major civilization preceding us--just prior to their fall into the scrapheap of history!
But continuing with our effort to be as fair and balanced as possible, we want to point out something that many of God's people overlook when they point to such practices as being sinful--they tend to maximize some and minimize others! Does the Bible really teach the concept of "big sin and little sin"? Does God actually view the sin of homosexuality as being more reprehensible than others? Or would we not have to admit (albeit reluctantly) that our natural aversion to it colors our perception? If there is any doubt about this concept, I suggest that we consider the following passage of Scripture:
"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, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" 1 Cor. 6:9-10 (KJV, emphasis mine).
Is the sin of homosexuality ("abusers of themselves with mankind") the only one given as a barrier to heaven? Can we not see that nine more in this particular list are also capital crimes against God, carrying a death penalty--with many others specifically named in the Bible ? The point I want us to see is that we desperately need to focus upon and preach against sin (singular), rather than allowing Satan to divert our attention. He is a wily adversary and by turning several cats loose in front of a guard dog--chances are that the dog can be compromised! Has it not occurred to us that in "putting all our eggs into one basket" by emphasizing particularly repugnant sins such as abortion or homosexuality, there is a tendency to overlook and/or ignore others not perceived to be as important? Beloved, the "smallest" violation of God's Law involves an infraction of His standard of absolute perfection and is therefore a capital offense punishable by eternal death! Millions around the world are headed for an everlasting existence in which they will be in a state of fiery torment and separated from God, while some among us are totally fixated upon specific sins (chasing cats, so to speak)--often trying to eradicate wickedness by political means.
Homosexuals, abortionists and the women who make use of their services, are all in need of God's Sovereign grace--just like the rest of us sinners. And the only remedy for what has stricken us all is salvation in Christ. The supernatural transformation that frees the soul renders drunks sober, whores chaste, thieves productive, those guilty of abortion contrite .......and homosexuals straight--in terms of no longer practicing homosexuality. Just as recovered alcoholics, or those who were formerly addicted to drugs or cigarettes can tell you--the desire for such things often lingers on, but active and on-going indulgence is no longer tolerated by the individual. And homosexuals who have experienced God's redeeming grace are given the willpower to stop engaging in sex acts that are prohibited by Scripture--the principle of which is stated in the following verse:
"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" 1 Cor. 10:13 (KJV).
So even if homosexuals are "wired" differently from birth, as many of them claim--this verse of Scripture teaches that all who come to Christ through the new birth can avoid behavior God says is wrong. A genuine child of God can not engage in a habitual practice of any sin indefinitely, because the Holy Spirit will not allow it! Chastening--even to the point of scourging--is the inevitable result, according to Hebrews 12:6. And if the individual stubbornly persists in their sin, 1 John 5:16(b) clearly says there is a "sin unto death." In other words, there is a point beyond which God will not allow His children to go and physical death may result from continued willful disobedience. Salvation itself will not be lost--in fact can not be lost, once it is conferred--but it is my personal belief that any potential reward(s) earned by that person will likely be forfeited.
Can a genuine saved, born again, regenerated drunk, drug addict, homosexual......etc., etc., "fall off the wagon" and sin? Absolutely! Listen to me folks, all Christians sin, because salvation does not remove the depraved nature of our physical birth. But by the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can (and must) keep it to a minimum.
And I know that what I am about to say is going to be misunderstood by some, but I just ask the reader to measure it by the Word of God. The legislation and enforcement of laws against immoral behavior are well and good, but they do nothing to change the sinful human heart. At best, the illicit behavior is only hidden for fear of punishment and those bent upon indulging themselves will find a way! Society in general is spared the overt aspects--certainly a good thing--but now that is has become very obvious that societal mores have relaxed and formerly taboo practices are coming out of the closet, we as Christians must face reality. The Holy Spirit working in and through God's people continues to be the effective restraint to evil--not the laws of men. And no amount of political activism, however good the intent behind it may be, is going to stem the tide. Unless the Lord sees fit to bring about a huge revival among His people and change the collective heart of our nation in the process--carrying picket signs in front of abortion clinics and condemning homosexuals by those who profess Christ will accomplish little, if anything, of lasting spiritual value.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," should be the prayer in our hearts as we face the fact that apostasy is rampant and tares much more numerous than wheat. Evil men are definitely waxing "worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived....," (2 Timothy 3:13). Our world is rapidly spinning out of control, with a multitude of potential triggers for WWIII in the daily news. The horrendous events portrayed in the Book of Revelation--the potential for which seemed to be so far off a few years ago--now appear to be imminent and the immediate future looks very grim. But God's people possess a "peace that passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) and look "for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16b) and PRAYER is infinitely more effective than politics.
If you have been born again and received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, but have been very lukewarm in your spiritual walk with Him, you need to immediately ask Him for forgiveness and for renewal. He will instantly forgive you, and fill your heart with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Then, you need to begin a daily walk of prayer and personal Bible Study.
If you have never placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, but have come to sense His reality and the approaching End of the Age, and want to receive His FREE Gift of Eternal Life, you can do so now, in the privacy of your home. Once you truly believe in Him as Lord and Savior, you are spiritually Born Again, and are as assured of Heaven as if you were already there. Then, you can rest assured that the Kingdom of Antichrist will not touch you spiritually. If you would like to become Born Again, turn to our Salvation Page now.
We hope you have been blessed by this ministry, which seeks to educate and warn people, so that they can see the coming New World Order—Kingdom of Antichrist—in their daily news.
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