Homosexuality and God's Holiness
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 7
Today the Church is faced with a crisis it never had to face before in its 2000 year history. The crisis is that homosexuality is being presented as acceptable behavior by factions within the Church. Certain denominations such as the Episcopalian are promoting homosexual marriage. Bold homosexual ministers actually living with a partner stand in the pulpit and promote this lifestyle.
On June 26, 2003, homosexuality was defined by the Supreme Court of the United States as a Constitutional right of privacy. This has opened the flood gates to advance the homosexual agenda. Soon after this, starting in San Francisco and then spreading to many other states, homosexuals were "married" in civil ceremonies. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts demanded that the state legislature enact homosexual marriage legislation.
Even pastors within mainline denominations are "marrying" homosexuals. These denominations seems to lack the resolve to stand up against this trend. There are movements both within civil government and religious circles to sanction homosexual marriages. This never happened before in our history.
Those who stand against this act are now being branded as narrow minded religious bigots who are against diversity. There is now a social tidal wave going on to promote, encourage and protect the homosexual act. Leading the way in this movement are those who claim to believe the Bible.
The Episcopalian Church among others is leading the way in promoting homosexuality. On August 6, 2003, the Episcopalian Church voted to install Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. Robinson is a man who divorced his wife with whom he had two children and then lived in an open homosexual relationship. He remained a minister and then was voted in as bishop. This is only one of many examples of how denominations are either outright promoting homosexuality or passively by not disciplining ministers who are advancing the homosexual agenda within their denomination.
In the very first chapter of the Bible, God ordains the union of a man and woman and the family unit. He ordained the marriage between a man and a woman. This was the plan of God from the very beginning: one man and one woman and a family. This plan of God has not changed and no law of man including the Supreme Court of the United States can alter God's family unit.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...(27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply..." Genesis 1:26
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24.
In the New Testament, the Bible states that marriage is honorable in all things and that those who defile it by adultery and whoremongering will come under the direct judgment of God. The Greek word translated whoremongering is the same word translated fornication. This word is very important in defining what homosexuality is and will be developed shortly. Remember, marriage as defined by the Bible is a union between one man and one woman. You must always keep in mind how God defines marriage: one man and one woman.
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4.
The Bible speaks very clearly about homosexuality in both the Old and New Testaments. It clearly and without any doubt condemns the homosexual act. In the Old Testament the homosexual act would fall under the term of iniquity, and it is strongly condemned. Iniquity would include such acts as: adultery, child sacrifice, homosexuality and bestiality. There is no section in the Old Testament where God approves or condones homosexuality.
In addition to being classified as iniquity, homosexuality is specifically called an abomination. Homosexuality is identified by the phrase: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind." The homosexual act is a very serious offense to God. It is linked with child sacrifice and bestiality. The Bible never sanctioned child sacrifice or bestiality so why all of a sudden should homosexuality be accepted by God?
The Bible warns, that when these types of practices becoming a social custom or norm, it will bring God's judgment on that nation. Homosexuality is still classified as iniquity. When the Bible mentions iniquity, the homosexual act would automatically fall under the description of this word. The Bible says that when homosexuality becomes a social norm, the land becomes defiled and God's judgment will follow. The Scriptures to show that homosexuality is classified as iniquity and called an abomination follow:
Leviticus 18:20 "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.
(21) And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
(22) Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
(23) Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
(24) Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: (25) And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants."
The New Testament also uses very strong language when dealing with homosexuality. In the book of Romans, it is described as vile affections and is condemned in very strong terms. The person with the homosexual drive is said in the Bible to have: "burned in their lust one toward another." Homosexuals do not have the love relationship that a man and a woman have. They have what the Bible states is a burning lust.
The Scriptures indicate that when a person engages in homosexuality it is an indication they are being judged. The judgment is called, "God gave them up." This would be caused by a person being in deep rebellion against God. This rebellion manifests itself in homosexuality which would then cause God to give them over to this act. They can be sealed into this act.
A person engaging in homosexuality or supporting it, shows a very deep and serious rebellion against God. The Scriptures to show the New Testament calls homosexuality vile affections follow:
Romans 1:26 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet."
After linking the homosexual act with vile affections, the Bible then goes on to say that the acceptance of homosexuality is an indication of a person having a reprobate mind. It is an overwhelming indication that a person has rejected God in his mind and is now living his/her life with a reprobate mind.
The promotion of the homosexual lifestyle by a heterosexual also means that person is being given over to a reprobate mind. To God, there is no difference between an active homosexual and a person who condones this act. They both manifest a reprobate mind.
The dictionary defines reprobate as: to condemn strongly as unworthy, unacceptable, or evil. This use of a reprobate mind by the Bible is extremely strong terminology to describe both those that practice homosexuality or condone it. People are being given over to an evil mind by God because they have rejected Him and the truth of His word.
Church attendance or one's position in a denomination does not prevent a person from having or developing a reprobate mind. We can tell if they are reprobates by their actions. The positions mean nothing, but their actions tell whether they are reprobates.
Promoting the homosexual lifestyle by a bishop is a sign he has developed a reprobate mind, even though he might speak from the pulpit as representing God! Even if a person is a bishop in the Episcopalian Church but lived as a homosexual, according to the Bible, he was manifesting a reprobate mind. He has rejected God and His word and now is being given over by God to a reprobate mind.
This fact means that great numbers of those who are in Christian denominations are being given over to a reprobate mind. The Bible clearly states in Romans 1:32 that those who condone fornication face the same judgment. It a very serious matter to be a homosexual or condone this behavior. The Scripture linking the acceptance of homosexuality with a reprobate mind follow:
Romans 1:28 "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication...(30) Backbiters, haters of God...(32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure (condone, agree) in them that do them.
It is very important to distinguish between someone who is struggling against homosexuality and someone who is given over to it or a heterosexual who condones this act. The being given over to it and condoning it, is what makes one a reprobate. There are numbers of homosexuals who are not reprobates as they struggle against this tendency. There is hope for them in the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ has more power than homosexuality or any other iniquity.
There is no mistaking that in both the Old and New Testaments the homosexual act is identified as iniquity or vile affections and is a grievous sin to God. In an attempt to neutralize the Bible, homosexuals and their supporters raise arguments against the Bible's condemnation of this iniquity. One of the arguments used is that the Lord Jesus never mentioned or condemned homosexuality. In their thinking, because He did not mention homosexuality, then it must not violate God's word. I have heard this argument over and over again by homosexuals and their advocates.
It is true the Bible does not use the word homosexual or homosexuality, while it is not true the Lord Jesus never condemned the act. The word homosexual was not coined as a word until the late 1800s or just about 100 years ago. The word was first used in Germany and then picked up later about 1900 in the English language. The King James Version would not use this word because it was translated 300 years before the word homosexual was coined.
The Lord Jesus and His View of Homosexuality
The Lord Jesus did very clearly condemn homosexuality. He used the word for His day which would have identified the homosexual act. The New Testament uses the word fornication to identify homosexuality. Once it is understood the New Testament used this word to identify homosexuality, then it is clear that the Lord Jesus condemned it. The Book of Jude ties together homosexuality with the word fornication. The homosexuality of Sodom and Gomorrha was identified as fornication. The Bible warns that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha was an example to those who would practice this same fornication.
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 7
The Greek word for fornication is ekporneuo, and it means to be utterly unchaste. It is the Greek word from which we derive the word pornography. A person who is utterly unchaste would have continuously unclean thoughts. That is why pornography is so dangerous because it can completely control the mind and make ones thoughts unchaste.
The Bible then defines fornication as any sexual activity outside of marriage. Remember, marriage is between one man and one woman. The definition of fornication would then include: heterosexual relations before marriage, homosexual relations at any time, incest, bestiality, prostitution and pornography. All sex outside of marriage is considered fornication by God.
With this understanding that homosexuality is identified in the New Testament as fornication, let's look and see what the Lord Jesus said about it. The Lord said that what comes forth from the spiritual heart of a man defiles him. Sin originates from the heart and then proceeds to action. Fornication is one of the sins that He listed which defiles a man.
Sin first originates in the heart, then is dwelt upon in the mind and then acted upon by the will. The Lord Jesus said that the act of fornication defiles a man. Fornication is lumped with the evils of murder, thefts, lying, etc. Both the books of Matthew and Mark record the Lord Jesus condemning homosexuality. He clearly addressed homosexuality and how evil it is. These Scriptures follow:
Mark 7:20 "And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. (21) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (22) Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: (23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
Matthew 15:16 "And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
The New Testament has more to say about fornication then just the Lord Jesus' statements that it comes from the evil of man's heart. In Scripture after Scripture, the Bible warns about the sin of fornication. The Bible in several places lists fornication with many other sins. These sins would include: adultery, idolatry, drunkenness, witchcraft, hatred, heresies and the list goes on and on. The sin of fornication/homosexuality is always listed with these sins. In fact, fornication is usually one of the first sins listed. These Scriptures follow:
Galations 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations (jealousy malice), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ephesians 5:3 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; (4) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
(5) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them."
Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection (lust), evil concupiscence (desires), and covetousness, which is idolatry: (6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience"
All the above Scriptures give a severe warning to those who practice fornication and the other listed sins. Each section of Scripture states the wrath of God will come upon those who practice fornication and they will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Bible leaves no doubt that homosexuality is unacceptable to God. These verses first condemn homosexuality and then give a stern warning to those that practice it.
Galations calls homosexuality the works of the flesh and those who practice it will not inherit the kingdom of God. Ephesians calls those that practice fornication the children of disobedience. And, a person is not to let anyone fool him with vain words about fornication because it will bring the wrath of God. In Colossians we are told to put to death fornication because it will bring the wrath of God on that person. Look at these statements from the Bible warning not to commit the sin of homosexuality:
Galations 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these...fornication...(21)...of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ephesians 5:3 "But fornication...(6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them."
Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify (put to death) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication...(6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience"
Those that practice homosexuality are called the children of disobedience, and they will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is all clear and straight forward. A person does not need a doctorate in theology to understand that homosexuality is a sin that will block a person from the kingdom of God. It is so clear that a youngster can clearly understand this.
If it is so clear and easy to understand, why then is homosexuality being presented as wholesome and loving? The answer lies in that the homosexuals and their advocates have rejected the authority of the Bible. Their minds have become blinded. There appears to be no fear of God in them, and the stern warnings of the Bible are ignored if not outright mocked. This is an extremely serious state to be in. The warnings are still there as they were 2,000 years ago. God in His mercy holds back judgment, but His mercy can only last so long until judgment.
Why is homosexuality so special of a sin that it deserves special attention? Is there a move to say that prostitution is no longer a sin? Or, that adultery now is wonderful and no longer wrong? How about drunkenness; is it now permissible and sanctioned by God? Does God now condone bestiality?
The reason homosexuality is so special is because it is the sign of a reprobate mind. Those who have developed this mind or are in the process of developing a reprobate mind flock to defend and promote homosexuality. In a real way, the promotion of homosexuality can be viewed as the end of the line of rebellion against God's word.
In our day, homosexuality has been plucked from the list of iniquity and being a vile affection. It now has been decreed by many factions of civil government as being a right. In many Christian denominations, it has been declared a loving relationship that is acceptable and blessed by God. When did God change His mind about fornication?
There is a move on within these denominations to even "marry" homosexuals. One of the leading forces in America for advancing homosexuality comes from within these religious denominations. What is the final authority? Is the Bible the final authority, or some clergy that states homosexuality is now acceptable to God and then conducts a same sex wedding?
God has not changed His mind regarding fornication. The Bible's warnings are the same today as they were thousands of years ago. God's plan for a family unit is one man and one woman with children. Anything outside this plan is either adultery or fornication as there is no middle ground.
The Supreme Court of the United States or some denomination can declare homosexuality a Constitutional right or a blessed union, but this in no way alters what the Bible states. Many religious leaders are in rebellion against God and are false teachers. They are now deceiving multitudes of people about the character of God, His word and homosexuality. They have developed a reprobate mind and are trying to indoctrinate others with this mind set. They are wolves in sheep's clothing.
We now live in a time of terrible deception when fornication can be promoted as wholesome and accepted by God. The Bible warns us of false teachers who will bring in awful heresies. These false teachers will speak evil of those who follow the truth of God's word. We are warned about false teachers who lie in wait to deceive. The following verses warn about false teachers and their heresies:
2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
Ephesians 4:14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive"
Why God Never Changed About Homosexuality
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
God never changed His prohibition about fornication and never will. The reason for this is very simple. God's very nature is holy. The very heart of God is holiness. Fornication is against His character, and He could never condone it or He would cease to be holy. Just as God could never condone prostitution, pornography, abortion, hatred etc., God is not going to make an exception for homosexuality.
It seems that many people have completely lost the concept of God's holiness. Or, that God maybe be offended by the homosexual act. It seems that God is out of the picture and what has replaced Him is the feelings of man. The modern thinking is, if a minister blesses homosexuality then God must accept it.
God will never accept fornication because it is sin and goes against His holiness. People can deny God's word. They can try and deny the truth of His word about fornication. They can lie about the Bible's teachings. They can twist the word to suit their own agenda. They can do all this, but it will never change the nature of God who is holy. God is holy and will always be holy.
The Bible in both the Old and New Testaments give us a glimpse of heaven and God on His throne. On both occasions there are angelic beings around Him. These beings are before the very presence of God. In His presence they praise and acknowledge His holiness. The following Scriptures reveal this:
Isaiah 6:2 "Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. (3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
Revelation 4:8 "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
Because God is holy, those that believe in the Lord Jesus are called to follow Him in holiness. That is why the Bible says that fornicators, adulterers, drunkards, idolaters, etc. will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Bible leaves no doubt that those who practice fornication will not inherit the kingdom of God. It really comes down to a choice of the will. The choice is God and holiness or fornication and uncleanness.
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin (fornication) unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:16
A person cannot have both God and fornication because God is holy, and He will always remain holy. Whoever thinks he can practice homosexuality, encourage or condone it, and be accepted by God is horribly deceived: "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16.
God's Way of Dealing With Homosexuality
"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, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11
Because God is holy, He can never accept homosexuality. Fornication is against both His nature and plan for man, Genesis 1:28. However, God does not leave homosexuals or anyone for that matter condemned to hell. He proved all that was needed to deliver fornicators from the powerful grip of this sin. Through the death of the Lord Jesus to pay the price for the sin and the power of His resurrection to overcome the grip of the sin, homosexuality can be broken in a person's life.
The Bible explicitly states that fornicators can be freed of this sin. They can be washed, cleansed and justified from homosexuality. Justified means that the person can be treated by God just as if they never had sinned. The Bible in Corinthians starts off by stating that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of the God. Then it lists a series of sins which start with fornication. And, then it goes on to end by showing the believers are no longer in bondage to these sins. This section of Scripture from 1 Corinthians follows:
1 Corinthians 6:9 "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.(11) 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, and by the Spirit of our God."
God is able to break the hold of fornication in a person's life. This is the glory of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. It is powerful enough to break the hold of any sin in a person's life. It is criminal that so called religious leaders preach that it is fine with God to be a homosexual, and yet the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus is right there to free homosexuals from this sin and give them eternal life. These religious leaders are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.
The Bible is clear the homosexual can be free of this sin and live a life of holiness in which the end result is eternal life with God. The end result of fornication is spiritual death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. The verses to show this follow:
Romans 6:22 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The Bible states that during the time just prior to the glorious second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ the majority of the people in the world will turn to wickedness. Not all the people will turn but the majority will. One of the sins they will refuse to repent of will be fornication.
This sin is going to be in full bloom immediately prior to the second coming. It seems the world is heading into this time period with the explosion of homosexual acceptance and promotion in all areas but especially the Christian denominations.
"Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." Revelation 9:21
This is an unprecedented time in history. The sin of fornication is actually being preached from pulpits. Homosexuals are standing boldly in pulpits pretending to be preachers of righteousness. They are deceiving and being deceived. God never changed His position on fornication.
Those that practice this sin will not inherit the kingdom of God contrary to what false teachers may say from the pulpits. The Bible is the final authority not false teachers. The Lord Jesus said: "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John 12:48.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23