What Does God Really Think About Homosexuality?
Romans 1:18-2:5
Introduction: One of the basic convictions of true Christianity and of True Life Church is that the Bible is authoritative in all things. This means that when the Bible speaks, God speaks, and we are obligated to obey Him. However, our own thoughts, feelings, and desires often challenge that conviction. Plus, there are issues that challenge whether or not Scripture is really authoritative to us. Homosexuality is certainly one of those issues. However, our response to homosexuality should be based on God‟s response to it. How do we know what God thinks about it? He tells us in His Word.
Let me quote part of the lyrics of the Lady Gaga song, “Born This Way,” in order to frame the issue for us. This song is the all-time fastest selling song on I Tunes, and I believe it is really an anthem that is the theology/philosophy of a generation. In part, it says:
I‟m beautiful in my way „cause god makes no mistakes I‟m on the right track baby
I was born this way Don‟t hide yourself in regret Just love yourself and you‟re set I‟m on the right track baby
I was born this way
Whether you‟re broke or evergreen You‟re black, white, beige, chola descent You‟re Lebanese, you‟re orient Whether life‟s disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased Rejoice and love yourself today „cause baby you were born this way No matter gay, straight, or bi, Lesbian, transgendered life
I‟m on the right track baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white or beige Chola or orient made
I‟m on the right track baby
I was born to be brave
Are people born as homosexuals? Does God create people with it predetermined that they have to be homosexuals? Or, is it a moral choice that people are responsible for? The Bible teaches that it is a moral choice, and it is sinful to commit homosexual acts. This is the key issue because if people are born that way, it is a civil right that should not be discriminated against. However, if it is a choice, it is never right to choose to do wrong. Also, it is very important to understand that since homosexuality is a choice it is an action and not an identity. Let‟s look at
what the Bible says about this issue. First, we are going to do an overview of Romans 1-3 in order to give us a context and then we will look at 5 statements regarding homosexuality.
Overview of Romans 1-3
1. Our problem-We are sinful because we try to be our own God (v. 20-25).
2. The symptoms-Our sin problem is manifested by unrighteousness (v.26-31) and self- righteousness (2:1-5). We are all guilty (Rom. 3:10, 20).
3. The result-The wrath of God (vs. 18).
McArthur
A. Eternal wrath-hell
B. Eschatological wrath-final Day of the Lord
C. Cataclysmic wrath-flood, Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
D. Consequential wrath-principal of sowing and reaping
E. The wrath of abandonment-removing restraint and letting people go in their sins 4. The Cure-Jesus (Rom. 3:20-28)
1. Homosexuality is not the ultimate sin (1:18-25)
– The ultimate sin is us trying to be our own God. – That is the root sin that produces all other sins. -We should not treat this like the ultimate sins.
2. However, homosexuality is a very serious sin (v. 24-28). This passage uses the following terms (the words of God) to describe it:
A. God gave them up
B. Uncleanness
C. Lusts
D. Dishonoring their bodies E. Vile passions
F. Against nature
G. Shameful
H. Built-in, deserved consequences I. Forgetting about God
J. Debased Mind
K. Doing things that are not fitting
3. We better not justify what God condemns because that is sin (1:32).
– Need conviction and boldness (“Speak truth in love”)
– Stop being afraid of the tolerance police
– Key issue: Are you born that way or is it a choice? Is it a genetically determined physiological issue or a moral issue? Is it a civil right or a moral choice? We have no right to do wrong!
7 Reasons why I believe it is a choice A. Human genome mapping
B. Identical twins
C. Would have to argue the same thing for other sexual issues such as pedophilia, bestiality, etc.
D. Homosexuals change and become heterosexuals which would be impossible if it were truly genetic.
E. Environmental factors (sexual abuse, issues with same sex parent) F. Obviously unnatural (Gay marriage-Genesis 2:24, Mt. 19:4-6) G. The fruit of it-consider these statistics from newsvine.com:
-Homosexuals account for 3-4% of all gonorrhea cases, 60% of all syphilis cases, and 17:5 of all hospital admissions (other than STD‟s) in the United States while making up only 1-2% of the population.
-73% of psychiatrists say homosexuals are less happy than the average person, and of those psychiatrists, 70% say that the unhappiness is NOT due to social stigmatization.
-25-33% of homosexuals and lesbians are alcoholics.
-78% of homosexuals are affected by STD‟s.
-In one study, 43% of homosexuals questioned admitted to 500 or more partners in a lifetime, 28% admitted to 1000 or more in a lifetime, and of these people, 79% said that half of those partners are total strangers, and 70% of those sexual contacts are one night stands. -Homosexuals are 100 times more likely to be murdered than the average person, 25 times more likely to commit suicide, and 19 times more likely to die in a traffic accident.
-The median age of death of homosexuals is 42 (only 9% live past age 65). The median age of death of a married heterosexual man is 75.
-The medians age of death of lesbians is 45 (only 24% live past age 65). The median age of death of a married heterosexual woman is 79.
4. There is no place for self-righteous judgmentalism (2:1-5).
– Difference in judging and discerning
– We are all sinners.
– So, no place for looking down and thinking we are better.
– Don‟t categorize sin.
– Anybody welcomed and loved here but will hear the truth (Its OK to not be OK but not to stay that way).
– No virtue in resisting a temptation that is not a temptation to us.
– No place for insults, slurs, and mean jokes
– All need Jesus (can‟t be self-righteous and saved)
– Can be witnesses
5. Jesus is the answer (Rom 3:20-28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
He is the One who will forgive us of sin and make us a new person. That is our hope!
