Throwing Down The Gauntlet On Homophobia

 "But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, ... not to eat with such a person [shun]"  (1 Cor. 5:11, NKJV). 
"For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?  Do you not judge those who are inside?  But those who are outside God judges.  Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person'" (1 Cor. 5:12-13, NKJV).  
"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 ... And such were some of you.  But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God"  (1 Cor. 6:9,11, NKJV). 
 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation:  old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new"  (2 Cor. 5:17, NKJV).  
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10, NKV).

Leviticus 18:22 makes it clear that homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord ("detestable" in the NIV).  This sin is not listed in Proverbs 6:16-17 as one of the seven sins that God hates and are detestable to Him, though. " ...[Men] who have sex with men" ... "will not inherit the kingdom of God" period, according to Paul in 1 Cor. 6:9-11 (NIV).  Note:  the ESV (emphasis added) says, "those who practice homosexuality... shall not inherit the kingdom of God."  This means it cannot be their way of life or lifestyle, just like a kleptomaniac may steal on occasion, and confess it, but he isn't practicing it; likewise, the way John says in 1 John that the believer doesn't "practice sin."  Lapses are possible, and even relapses, but victory is ultimate and they will be justified, sanctified, and washed. We must acknowledge sin as a sickness that infects the soul as a virus and can be cured.  No one has the right to do what comes natural--we're all sick in sin and sinners by nature, by birth, and by choice.  "We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners," as it's been said by theologians!

My point of view is that homosexuality is not a genetic trait passed down by DNA (we are not pawns of our genes), but a character trait acquired by choice and indulgence--the nature you nourish tend to flourish--they must be put under control and not exercised at will.  God did make us the way we are, but we are still responsible for our flaws and cannot blame God or cast any slurs on His creatures, which He made us in the mage of God to have a relationship with Him--we don't have a license to sin. God's intention in the garden was Adam and Eve, and not two men or two women, but they were each others' perfect partner and the union was meant for procreation and fulfillment in each other.

When you indulge a sin, its grip becomes greater and you become enslaved to it.  The psalmist prayed, "Let no sin have dominion over me" in Psalm 119:133, (italics added) ESV, "Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me."  David prays, "Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!..."  (Psalm 19:13, ESV, italics added).  We must bear in mind that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, but also that there is no condemnation for those who in Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9; Rom. 8:1).

Due to Adam's fall, we inherited an old sin nature, but we are no longer under its dominion in Christ--we are set free from the power of sin as redeemed believers.  Everyone's sin nature inclines them differently and he must not let it get the best of him.  "For sin shall have no dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace"  (cf. Romans 6:14).  This implies we are accountable and cannot blame God.

If you look at the nature of sin, you will get the drift of Scripture:  Going contrary to God's design; He designed marriage as the only outlet for sex, and only between one man and one woman to become "one flesh" until death.  God is a God of design and the argument from design is one of the proofs of God, to not see that it is unnatural for a homosexual union is to go against nature as Paul states in Romans 1.  Biblical sexuality is only to be celebrated in the holy reins of matrimony.  God hates and condemns all perversion and no pervert will enter the kingdom of heaven.

But there is a difference between a desire and following through.  One may be inclined in an unnatural way and keep himself under control and not sin; he may say that he was born that way and that justifies his sin, but the heterosexual single person who lives in lust is in the same dilemma and must refrain likewise. The Bible recognizes no natural state of man to be perverted, but sin is a choice and we are responsible for our character. The gospel is for all, though, and Christ is the Healer who can bring anyone into the confines of normalcy. Just like there are reformed drunks and thieves, there are reformed gays. We should, therefore, not be homophobes, but welcome them and realize they can be saved just as well as the drunkard, the thief, the fornicator, or even the murderer!  There will be plenty of reformed criminals in heaven.  "But such were some of you.." (cf. 1 Cor. 6:11).

The homosexual is admonished to restrain from the practice of all sins, and this is just the one that easily besets him. God doesn't want any sin to overcome us or be domineering.  The church has no right to exclude a class of people or to discriminate, but to present the gospel and see its amazing power to change lives (whether all at once or over time).

We must address the problem of our society recognizing gay marriage and thinking this is a "right." The Supreme Court has sanctioned it, but it is not a God-given right to be perverted and God doesn't recognize such marriages, but they are living in adultery and sin and will be judged.  Rights are conferred from God, not the State, which only recognizes God-given rights.  They cannot say that they are wired differently because the Bible's list of sin gives no one an excuse.  The State has overstepped its bounds by legitimizing and normalizing gay marriage and society at large will be judged.  God is the ultimate law of the land, not the Constitution! Our leaders have God to answer to; The point is that being legal doesn't always mean being moral.

We outlaw child molestation, bestiality, and, until recently, sodomy was even outlawed; why do we seem to think that moral standards change with the times?   Everyone has a sexual appetite and he is expected to celebrate it within the bounds of legal marriage. Homosexuality is not an alternate lifestyle according to the Bible but is condemned and the truth of the matter is that we shouldn't hide from this fact--we need to call a spade a spade and not gloss over sins by calling them by another name that is less offensive.  We all have the sex drive, and are expected to master it as God said to Cain  (cf. Gen. 4:7):  "Sin wants to destroy you, but don't let it."

Scripture nowhere warrants a civil right to live any way that seems natural but commands righteous and holy living.  The whole purpose of government is to restrain evil and sin and to maintain civil order and upright institutions which are the foundations of society.  As Psalm 11:3 (NIV) says, "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  Finally, as Martin Luther said (paraphrased), we cannot control what enters our mind, but we decide what to dwell on and let our imagination get carried away with or fixated on.  Therefore, people who feel so inclined are no different than Christians who are battling other sins and need to overcome them!

The conclusion of the matter is stated in Numbers 32:23 (ESV) as follows:  "... [A]nd be sure your sin will find you out." Sin can be understood as anything not according to God's plan or will.   Caveat:  we reap what we sow (cf. Gal. 6:7) and if we sow the flesh, it will destroy us.  Therefore, Gal. 5:16 (ESV) expresses it:  "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."   Soli Deo Gloria!

Drawing The Line

Where do human rights and religious freedom conflict?  Many Christians are against gay marriage and rightly so, for it is not biblical (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:27; 1 Cor. 6:9) nor sanctioned as God's plan for man.  But all humans have rights bestowed by God, such as the right to survive which includes the right to look for work or to eat.  We are all sinners and it would be like saying you don't want to serve an alcoholic or a felon.

One cannot deny basic rights conferred by God because said person is a sinner who offends you (this is not promoting or approving their lifestyle).   It would only be prejudice to refuse some service at a restaurant because everyone has a right to eat and this doesn't conflict with any doctrine or teaching of Scripture--all humans are to be treated with respect and dignity as they are all in the image of God, even though marred and tarnished.  Now if the government told a preacher he had to perform a gay marriage, he has the right to refuse--but he may do at his peril and lose his privilege to marry!  He must be willing to pay the price for standing up for right and wrong (we believe in absolute right and wrong--some things are always right, some always wrong).

 No one should be forced to participate in gay marriage in any way that makes him an accessory such as making the wedding cake or taking pictures either (if this is interpreted as their endorsing it like having his name on it or getting publicity).  Why? This clearly goes against sound doctrine and is evil  (male and female He created them ... and said that it was very good). The freedom of religion is not absolute--one cannot say that he has the right of polygamy in America or that he is cannibalistic, for instance.  But all rights have limits (one's rights end where another person's begin): one cannot yell "fire" in a theater either. One must be very careful in legislating that could cause discrimination because that is morally wrong.

But the constitution guarantees the free practice of religion and it cannot restrict its free exercise or force someone into a creed or practice.  Forcing someone to be an accomplice in evil is clearly going over the line morally; I am not a homophobe and do not even object to gays in the military as long as logistical problems are resolved, no one is forced to get "intimate" with them, and no one's privacy is invaded.  But the government crosses the line in forcing the military to "celebrate" or even associate with gay pride in the service which I interpret as "endorsing" it.  They have a right to pride, but not in making me an accessory or accomplice.

In conclusion, the example of a caterer supplying cake to the wedding being interpreted as "endorsing" it (i.e., putting our name to it or making the news or getting publicity--note the example that Paul brings up about the meat sacrificed to idols--for conscience's sake don't ask) would be wrong, but just supplying food or cake to any sinner is not a sin because that is not "endorsing" it.  Let each act according to their own conscience, but if they act in civil disobedience, they must suffer the consequences.   You have to draw the line somewhere:  everyone could be considered an indirect accessory, even the truck driver that brought the dough, but when they "endorse" it in a legal sense we draw the line--we cannot be forced to give our approbation or imprimatur to evil.   Soli Deo Gloria!