Homosexuality: What Does the Bible Say? (Part 1 of 2)

Many that talk about this subject in print and on the radio, have been called a “homophobe,” a “bigot,” and a “gay basher.” There should be no personal animosity against these people. Homosexuals are no worse than any idolater, adulterer or thief. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the apostle Paul puts these people in the same class, “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 extortionists will inherit the kingdom of God. 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.” In Romans 1:24-32, Paul explains that homosexuality was one of the reasons God “gave up” on the Gentiles. He says, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 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. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Paul put homosexual activity in the midst of a list which includes sexual immorality, murder, and those who hate God. Paul claimed those who committed these crimes were worthy of the penalty of death.

God’s laws on sexual morality in the Old Testament were very plain. Leviticus 20:13 says, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” God’s natural use of the body is plain. Let us continue to teach the truth to our children and to all who will listen.

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