Dear Saints,
In keeping with the approach taken by Bereans of the New Testament, I thought it best not to only give a commentary but rather test ideas on the basis of Holy Scripture.
Today, the topic is "Homosexuality."
The Holy Bible has much to say about the problem of perversity, etc. For example, see the problem of Sodom and Gommorah in the case of Lot [including the subsequent incest--Genesis 19]; or, the problem concerning the Benjamites that was a consequence of initial concubine waywardness, followed by a turn of events which includes the concubine as substitute for demanded male to male relations, yeilding not only her death but mutilation of her dead body.[Judges 20]
You should also know the case of extreme error--only as an example of what to avoid. Such is the bizzare misinterpretation of scripture that has been posited by a few "church-going", practicing homosexuals who want to point to scripture as evidence in support of "gay" life-style. They misconstrue 1 Samuel 18.
Enough!
It's time to consider what God explicitly says about homosexuality. Let Him speak through His word, the Holy Bible. And, then let's pray accordingly.
Romans 1 says that homosexuality is a judgment from God which comes when humanity fails to acknowledge Him.
Don't take my word for it. Read for yourself. [Romans 1: 15-32]
The Apostle Paul says,
15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Because distance from God brings judgment from God, God really does go on to say in Romans 2 we are to leave judging to Him. Our job is to act in agreement with God and not take His place as Judge. It is in agreement with God we exercise His gift of Discernment.
1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Saints, what is required is not simply a "show down" with the "homosexuals". Much more is required of us. Everybody knows the life-style is contrary to nature, including the homosexual. And, of course, the Gay political agenda must NOT be deemed acceptable. Why? Because the Gay political agenda is inconsistent with the written Word of God.
But, lest we have forgotten. All of humanity is fallen. The only thing that differentiates us Christians from anyone else is the saving blood of Christ Jesus.
What is required of us that are saved is this. We are to live and make decisions consistent with the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is the litmus test that must be applied to all ideas, regardless of the source of those ideas. We are to exercise our influence in support of only that which is consistent with God's word. We are to abhor that which God abhors.
Saints, Our focus must be on GOD! It is only He Who offers deliverance. We must communicate that fact. Christ died for ALL humanity, including the homosexual. When one truly accept Christ Jesus, He gives those who accept Him New life, a brand new life with power to break free from sin. One need only repent and then accept Christ as Lord and Savior. He is the only true liberator to found in this life.
Too much stock is paid to grouping people. Why? Well, it's because folks who do not focus on God have no recourse but to personalize or demographically characterize everything. And, it is that refusal to acknowledge God that fuels all our social ills. Such demographic response unfortunately ends up in downward spiraling of our economy. And, let me just add here that "People" focus, even when people are seen as doing the right thing, still can be a snare to our reasoning if that "good" thing they do distracts from God.
Thankfully, God has given us in writing a means of readjusting our thinking so that we will reorient ourselves to Him. The fullness of the entire Bible is about Christ Jesus. And, God so loved the entire world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so whoever believes on Him need not perish but could now exercise the option to choose eternal life.[Olivia paraphrase of John 3:16]
Saints, I think that we sometimes forget the next verse--John 3:17."For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him."
If you are reading this and are a practicing Homosexual, know that God loves you and offers deliverance. And, know that groups exist to assist you on to the path of deliverance. Here are a few:
Evergreen International ( http://www.evergreeninternational.org )
Love In Action ( http://www.loveinaction.org )
Love Won Out ( http://www.lovewonout.com )
True Freedom Trust ( http://www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk );and,
Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH) ( http://www.jonahweb.org )
[I include that last link because I am convinced that if folks truly get into the Holy Bible and cry out to God for help, they will discover Christ Jesus, the Messiah!]
----
Saints,
We know that Marriage is God's idea. He is the one who orchestrated it. God's Word says,
"...the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."[Genesis 2:22-24]
But Saints, realize this. Just like Eve was taken from the body of Adam, we the Church are taken from the body of Jesus. It is on the basis of what transpired on Calvary, the very piercing of Christ's side from which flowed the blood of deliverance that we too are fashioned. We are made into the very Body of Christ.
We are Christ's Bride!
Is it any wonder the enemy of our soul wants to destroy marriage?
Marriage is a tangible reminder of that eternal Truth.
What is required is a conscious return to God by we who know ourselves to be His. We must return to Him in Spirit and in Truth so that God Himself will have mercy on us and lift that judgment "homosexuality" off of our nation.
I offer this prayer for your consideration. If the Holy Spirit moves you to join me in this prayer, please do so.
Dear Heavenly Father,---Livvy McDonald, <><
Thank you for the Holy Bible. It is the inerrant Truth that pierces the darkness of sin to bring forth Your glorious light on the issues that confront us.
Please forgive us for our sins which emanate from our distance from You.
Forgive us for putting other things first before You.
Forgive us for operating as if we can sustain ourselves without You as we go about our daily pursuits.
Forgive us that we spend more time and money articulating what is wrong about our world than we do speaking about Who You are God! What You have done! And, What Your Word says!
We have not spoken Your word with our children "when we rise up and when we sit down or when we walk along the way."
Please forgive us for merging "old world politics" with new age network inducements that seem spiritually on track but miss the mark. Please grant our children spiritual discernment and a hunger for the Holy Bible and may they never be ensnared, not be tradition nor be societal advance.
Forgive us Lord because we often fail to examine everything on the basis of scripture. Prompt our spirits to search for You in the Holy Scriptures. And Grant us the mind of Christ. Be the Gatekeeper of our thoughts.
And, LORD, please forgive us for our sincere prayers, zealously prayed without knowledge of the Truth that you have tangibly placed in our hand.
We understand that the Holy Bible is the only thing on earth that has survived the fall of mankind. Teach us to read it, to speak it, to hear it, and to do what it says.
In the aftermath of Your humbling us, LORD, we now humble ourselves.
We repent.
We turn back to You, and seek Your face.
You are the Living God.
And, at this time we have but one petition.
Please heal our land.
We ask this for Christ's sake and Your Glory.
Amen!
Proverbs 15:11
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