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A
Question About Homosexuality
Question: “Some argue in support of homosexuality on
the basis of Jesus’ silence on the issue. They will say something to
this effect: ‘Jesus never mentioned homosexuality in His ministry. He
issued in an era of love and peace, not condemnation and bigotry.’ How
do you respond to this line of reasoning? What do you make of the fact
that, according to the written record, Jesus never addressed
homosexuality?”
Answer: It is true that Jesus is a Savior of “love and
peace.“ However, this did not preclude His condemnation of sin (e.g.,
Matthew 23); and condemning sin, while it may make one unpopular,
doesn’t make one a “bigot.“
It is true that the Scriptures do not record Jesus ever specifically
mentioning homosexuality. But then, neither did He specifically condemn
bestiality. Are we to conclude, therefore, that both are lawful and
right? God forbid!
Jesus did address the subject of “sexual immorality” (Matthew
5:32; 19:9). But even if He hadn’t, the fact remains that His apostles
condemned such, even specifying certain aspects of it. Jesus sent these
messengers out as His “ambassadors,” men with credentials
verifying them as representatives of the “King of kings” (2
Corinthians 5:20). They spoke for Christ, proclaiming truths and
ordinances already “bound” in heaven (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1
Corinthians 5:4; Matthew 18:18). They had “all truth.” While
there were things during His ministry which the apostles were not able
to bear, Jesus told them that “when He, the Spirit of truth, has
come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12,13).
With this understood, what did Paul, a Holy Spirit-inspired apostle of
Christ, write about homosexuality? “For this reason God gave them up
to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for
what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use
of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men
committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of
their error which was due... Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God,
that those who practice such things are worthy of death...” (Romans
1:26-27, 32). “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” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). These passages are easy
to understand and need no commentary.
The only sexual relationship that Jesus and His apostles condoned was
between a lawfully married man and woman (Matthew 19:4-5; 1 Corinthians
7:2). Homosexuality is a sin, a perversion of what God ordained. Those
who engage in such need to know that Jesus loves them and calls on them
to quit their practice (Luke 13:3; 24:47). For anyone to teach otherwise
would give false hope to the sinner and show disdain for Jesus, His
word, and His authority.
--Mike Noble
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