Homosexuality and Romans 1...

Homosexuality and Romans 1...

It is about time that I get to this very important passage. All around the country I see Christians changing their stances on this subject. Homosexuality is being embraced as natural and acceptable in our churches. Churches are ordaining homosexuals as deacons and even Elders. The Holy Communion is passed to them without second thought.

When I say these things, it seems that I'm being ridiculous, but sadly for you, I'm not. The Bible has specific instructions that we must follow as believers. Homosexuality is an abomination to God, and we need to be balanced in our approach to it.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

ESV

Many people suggest that this text infers that just the sexual actions is unnatural to God, and I think otherwise. Homosexuality is an unnatural state of mind that direct just effect what you physically say or do, but also what you feel and think. I've heard Matthew Vines say very clearly that it isn't wrong for two homosexuals to live together in a relationship as long as they don't have sex.
1. If the desire is there, without extreme training, the fallen man will cave and embrace that desire.
2. If I'm in a relationship, I'm lusting, the is no innocence in lust. Part of the reason we have relationships is lust. There is no difference in that respect between homosexuals and heterosexuals.
3. What gives us the right to determine what is natural and unnatural? Is Sovereign man that important to us? If you go to a church that embraces these things, get out!

It may seem like I'm being harsh, but I want all to know that I don't hate homosexuals. I find many of them to be great people, but I must follow my Lord on these things.
For all Christians reading this, do not forget what I have written multiple times regarding Calvin's principle of charity... Show love to all men because they are made in God's image! Speak the truth, yes! But in live and respect for all people...

Soli Deo Gloria!

Picture courtesy of: Answers in Genesis