If American pop-culture is any indicator that homosexuality is widely embraced by the country, it will not be long before homosexuals obtain full civil rights. After all, six states already issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and several additional states offer other accommodations to homosexual couples. Unfortunately, this is yet more evidence of the moral decay of American society.
To say such a thing is branded intolerant in today’s postmodern world. Such was the case in Charlotte Biblical Examiner Vincent Eagan III’s article, Mecklenburg County Christian – How tolerant should you be? Mr. Eagan reported on the recent controversy involving a resolution passed by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners pledging their “support for diversity, tolerance, and inclusion in the community.” As a result, commenter John Carson epitomized the world’s intolerance of Eagan’s Christian worldview by stating the following:
And, until you are ready to lobby congress to make homosexuality a capital crime, stop claiming that your bigotry is the result of simply following the bible.
This is what is known as a red herring. Eagan made no such argument to criminalize homosexuality in his article and merely sought to address cultural intolerance of the Christian worldview of homosexuality while exhorting Christians to stand on the absolute truth of God’s Word. Carson attempted to distract from Eagan’s original claim by not only knocking down a false assertion (strawman), but also by attacking Eagan as a bigot (ad hominem). The truth is, however, Carson’s defense of homosexuality may be the least of his problems.
Many professing Christians may, in fact, rightfully be charged as bigots. Their cold, legalistic attitude towards homosexuals cannot be considered anything less than hatred. However, to paint all true Christians with this broad brush is simply not accurate. In any case, the sin of homosexuality does not stand alone as sin that condemns one to hell. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says,
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
It is unfortunate that homosexuality has been elevated as the lone sin of condemnation. No doubt many modern-day Pharisees condemning homosexuals are themselves practicing fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, liars, and drunks. Unbeknownst to them, they too may share in the everlasting destruction of unrepentant homosexuals.
The truth about man’s condition is the moment he is born is he is totally depraved. This means his mind, emotions, and will is corrupt and naturally sinful. In other words, no one has to be taught how to sin because it is inherent to their nature. So it is possible that some are born with an inclination to be gay, just like there are some born with the inclination to be alcoholics, sexually immoral, and murderers. As such, each person stands guilty before God because each person has broken His perfect standard – the 10 Commandments.
If you have told a lie, you are a liar. If you have ever stolen anything regardless of the value, you are a thief. If you have ever used God’s name in vain, you are a blasphemer. Jesus says if you have ever looked at someone with lust, you are an adulterer at heart (Matthew 5:27-28). He also said if you have ever hated anyone or been angry at them without just cause, then you are a murderer at heart (Matthew 5:21-22). These are only 5 out of the 10 Commandments and simply stated, you are a lying thief, a blasphemer, an adulterer at heart and a murderer at heart – just like every other human being. We all stand guilty before God for breaking His Law, and if He were to judge us on judgment day according to His perfect standard of good, and He will, every person would be guilty and every person would receive their just punishment of eternal destruction in hell.
But God is merciful! He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of sin for all who would believe in Him. God showed the world He accepted the shed blood of Christ as payment in full by raising Him from the dead three days later. Now the Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of His Father and the day is coming when He will return to judge the nations and all who disobey His Gospel. The implications of Christ’s death and resurrection is that God can dismiss your case and pronounce you not guilty, thus forgiving you of your sins. While every person on this earth deserves hell, God has called all men everywhere to repent because He is merciful. And all who repent will be forgiven.
So the issue at hand is not homosexuality at all. The issue for the homosexual is that he or she has not repented from their sin. The same is true of every fornicator, adulterer, liar, drunk, and thief. It is a matter of the heart’s condition. Galatians 5:19-21 says,
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
These sins are manifest (or obvious) in the nonbeliever as they practice them as a lifestyle. To repent means to turn away from these lifestyles, which would mean to turn away from homosexuality, lying, drunkenness, stealing, and other sexually immoral sins such as adultery and fornication. You must turn from these things and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the only means by which you may be saved. By trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for your salvation and repenting from your sinful lifestyle, God promises to grant you eternal life. Once God saves you from your sins, you will become a new creation in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Whether you are a homosexual or a practitioner of any of the other sins mentioned in this article, you must repent and believe the Gospel. God’s grace will cover you with the blood of Jesus Christ and you will be appointed as a co-heir with Christ to reign with Him for all eternity! Do not be deceived any longer by what American culture defines as good or accepted. God’s Word is the only authority of absolute truth and His standard is the only one we can use to define good. Do not compare yourself to other men, but compare yourself to God. See that you are unrighteous and unholy before Him, and repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today!
Homosexuals do not deserve anything but love from professing Christians. Their sin is no more heinous than that of a thief because both are considered lawbreakers in the sight of God. Practicing homosexuals need Christ just like the adulterer, and God’s grace is sufficient to cover their sins.
To further understand what it means to surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, please listen to this: It Will Cost You Everything
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Posted on January 30, 2011