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It's a lifestyle were hearing a lot about. The Supreme Court, state
legislatures, cable TV, presidential candidates, "the world's largest
retailer," and even some churches approve of it. But what does the Bible
say?
According to God, homosexuality has always been wrong. Before God formalized and systematized religion, as He did with Judaism and Christianity, He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, at least in part, because of the prevalence of this behaviour (Genesis 19). When God called Abraham's descendants from Egypt and gave them a law through Moses, He stipulated that homosexuality was unacceptable (Leviticus 20:13). Today, under the law of Christ, it remains condemned (Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Jude 7). The prohibition against homosexuality is not — strictly speaking — a religious law. It's a moral law. Just as murder was condemned before the existence of either Judaism or Christianity (Genesis 9:6), so homosexuality is an immoral behaviour that has always been — and will always be — sinful. Apologists for homosexuality give various reasons for God's supposed approval of that lifestyle.
There is no scientific evidence that anyone is born with a predisposition to homosexuality. The so-called "homosexual gene" remains elusive. If God created homosexuals that way, He needs to apologize to the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah for destroying them for behaving the way He created them. 2). "God loves everyone." Indeed He does! So much so that He sent Jesus to die for the world (John 3:16). But not everyone will be saved, because many are unwilling to live as He commands (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). God prohibits homosexuality, and violators won't go to heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 3). "The Bible's prohibitions against homosexuality were only cultural." This is merely an assertion with no proof. It was wrong in the Middle East around 2,500 B.C. and 1,500 B.C. (Genesis 19; Leviticus 20:13). It was wrong in Greece and Rome in the first century A.D. (1 Corinthians 6; Romans 1), and it remains sinful in America in 2003. 4). "God wouldn't condemn anyone for being in a loving relationship." Not if we're talking about a man and woman who are scripturally married. But scriptural evidence that God approves same-sex unions can't be found. On the contrary — as we have already shown — God condemns them. 5). "God wants me to be happy." Yes He does, and that's why He limits our behaviour. The drunk is happy when he drinks, but God condemns his behaviour too (Galatians 5:21). The "happiness" argument can be used to justify any activity that brings self-gratification. The ultimate happiness comes in heaven after a life of obedience to God. Jesus calls those who will follow Him to self-denial — not sinful self-indulgence (Luke 9:23-25). |