The Sin Of Homosexuality

The following is a study in which the reader is asked to look up each reference in their bibles.

For the Christian the issue of homosexuality is not resolved by what is socially or politically right or wrong. The right or wrong of this issue was long ago decided by the unchanging standard of God's word. Political and social morality changes with every generation and therefore is unreliable and inconsistent. 1Peter 1:23-25; 2Timothy 3:15-17

At this point it is necessary for us to define what sin is:

1. Living your life without authority from God.
2. Living your life in direct opposition to God's commands.
Both these ideas are taught by the expressions "lawlessness or without law" .

Sin occurs when we give in to our lusts and do what God has commanded us not to practice. Sin is therefore the act of fulfilling our desires when they are contrary to the word of God. (1John 3:4; Genesis 4:7; James 1:13-15; Romans 6:11-12)

The earliest Biblical reference we have to homosexuality is found in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen. 19:4-5) The King James Version of the bible says the men of the city wanted "to know" the men who had come to Lots home. The expression "to know" means to sexually know them as most modern translations clearly state. It is from the depraved state of the men of Sodom that we get our English word "Sodomy".

From the history of the children of Israel we find The Law stated that homosexual acts were forbidden. (Leviticus 18:22) In the nation of Israel the sin of homosexuality was punishable by death. (Leviticus 20:13) The Lord would not even allow the children of Israel to accept contributions into the House of God if they had been earned by heterosexual or homosexual prostitution. (Deuteronomy 23:18) In this passage the earning of a homosexual prostitute are called "the wages of a dog".

From the biblical history of Christianity we find that the teachings of the Old Testament concerning homosexuality did not change. The New Testament teaches that homosexuality in all its forms is based on the sinful lusts of those who reject God. Because of their rejection of God, He gives them over to fulfill their own unnatural lusts. These lusts are described as women fulfilling their carnal desires with other women and men with other men. (Romans 1:24-28)

It is clear that homosexual acts are the fulfillment of human lusts, which are contrary to God's word, and therefore are sin. Since Christians are to put off the sins of the past, they cannot practice homosexual acts and remain acceptable to God. The bible clearly states that early Christians gave up their homosexual practices when they became Christians. They were taught they could not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven if they continued to practice them. (1Corintians 6:9-11) We can also see from verse 11 of 1Corinthians 6:9-11 that some of the Corinthians were homosexuals, (note the past tense).

A homosexual is not what a person is but what they practice. When you cease the practice and let your mind be ruled by Gods truth, you are no longer homosexual.

Government and society may attempt to white wash homosexual practice with such terms as: alternate lifestyle, sexual orientation and sexual preference. For the Bible believing Christian, homosexual practice is a violation of the word of God that will keep them out of heaven.

By Nick A. Nelson

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