There are a few questions that have come up over the last several months about the Bible and homosexuality.
The first question is, “Is homosexuality wrong or is it a sin?” A question that seems to be coupled with that question is, “Aren’t Christians just quoting one obscure passage from Leviticus, which is in the Old Testament?” Here are five passages from the scriptures describing God’s opinion on homosexuality. It should be abundantly clear that God considers it an abominable sin. I have highlighted some words in these passages to show how clear this issue really is.
Leviticus 20:13
13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Genesis 19:4-7
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
Romans 1:26-27
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And 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.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Jude 1:7
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
The second question regarding the subject of homosexuality and the Bible which is asked in a way to insinuate hypocrisy is, “If Christians are going to quote Leviticus to show that homosexuality is a sin, why don’t they also keep the dietary laws? Shouldn’t they also stop eating bacon and shrimp?”
The answer to this question is found in Acts 15. Acts 15 describes the Jerusalem Council where the elders and apostles came together to consider the question of whether Gentiles who became Christians needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The answer is found in Acts 15:28-29.
Acts 15:28-29
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
So you can see that Christians need to abstain from homosexuality which falls into the category of fornication; but with the exception of idol worship, drinking blood, and eating things that have been strangled Gentile Christians do not need to keep the law of Moses as far as the ceremonial law is concerned. The moral law given in the ten commandments is repeated in the New Testament with the exception of keeping the Sabbath. Christians do not keep the Sabbath (Colossians 2:8-23). Jesus is my Sabbath and I rest in Him all week long by faith.
A third question concerning homosexuality and the Bible is, “Why can’t you Christians be tolerant and loving like Jesus was?” The answer is God is not tolerant of sin. He is merciful to sinners. He said to the woman caught in adultery, “Go and sin no more.” The cross was not about tolerance for sin. It was about a total abhorrence of sin and a total love of humanity coming together; God’s holiness and His mercy toward sinners being reconciled in the atoning death of the Son of God.
The answer to the question of homosexuality is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its power to deliver sinners from slavery to sin. The modern Church in many cases is calling evil good instead of calling homosexuality sin. The Church needs to tell those who are slaves to this wicked type of behavior that they are in rebellion to God but He will forgive them and deliver them if they would repent and call upon Jesus as their Savior. Trying to make people feel comfortable in their sin only leads them to Hell. Salvation from sin and death is still found in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He brings abundant life!!!