The dividing line for the church today, at least in this country, is homosexuality.
As our culture sprints more and more toward complete acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, Christ's church is confronted with what to do. The answer is fairly simple: we must continue to love all people - including all homosexuals - but never fail to call homosexuality what it is: sin.
Many within the church want to give in. Many have already done so. Increasing numbers of denominations and local bodies now act as if homosexuality is a fine, even good, alternative to heterosexuality. This is nothing more than bowing to the winds of political correctness.
It is important for us to remember that the entire church considered homosexuality to be sinful for almost 2000 years. There was no debate. Everyone agreed. Therefore, for any Christian to now say that homosexuality is acceptable, he must also say that the entire church everywhere was incorrect for nearly 2000 years. This requires an enormous amount of hubris.
Even more importantly, the bible is clear about what God says of homosexuality. Three New Testament passages stand out:
Romans 1:26-27, "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."
I Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
I Timothy 1:8-11, "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."
Those who want to believe homosexuality is good try to reinterpret the above verses to only apply to homosexuals who have multiple partners. They say the verses do not apply to monogamous homosexuals. Not only is this twisted interpretation, it also ignores what the church has uniformly believed for 2000 years. Quite simply, these verses condemn all forms of homosexuality.
The reason for this is that God has one plan for human sexuality. He laid this out in Genesis chapter two and it hasn't changed. Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
The bible not only calls homosexuality sinful, but it also never says anything positive about it. The scriptures are as clear about homosexuality as they are about the gospel itself.
As society pressures the church to accept homosexuality, we must realize that this is today's dividing line. It is the separator between those who will stand for the truth of scripture and those who will not.
We should not be surprised that many are caving in to homosexual pressures. It's the easy thing to do. However, it is not the right thing to do. Each of us has to ask ourselves whether or not we believe the bible is truth. If it is, then we must remain steadfast. This one topic is the biggest divider in the church today. We cannot give in. No matter how difficult, the church must remain steadfast.
(To read my full series on homosexuality, click here).
As our culture sprints more and more toward complete acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, Christ's church is confronted with what to do. The answer is fairly simple: we must continue to love all people - including all homosexuals - but never fail to call homosexuality what it is: sin.
Many within the church want to give in. Many have already done so. Increasing numbers of denominations and local bodies now act as if homosexuality is a fine, even good, alternative to heterosexuality. This is nothing more than bowing to the winds of political correctness.
It is important for us to remember that the entire church considered homosexuality to be sinful for almost 2000 years. There was no debate. Everyone agreed. Therefore, for any Christian to now say that homosexuality is acceptable, he must also say that the entire church everywhere was incorrect for nearly 2000 years. This requires an enormous amount of hubris.
Even more importantly, the bible is clear about what God says of homosexuality. Three New Testament passages stand out:
Romans 1:26-27, "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."
I Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
I Timothy 1:8-11, "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."
Those who want to believe homosexuality is good try to reinterpret the above verses to only apply to homosexuals who have multiple partners. They say the verses do not apply to monogamous homosexuals. Not only is this twisted interpretation, it also ignores what the church has uniformly believed for 2000 years. Quite simply, these verses condemn all forms of homosexuality.
The reason for this is that God has one plan for human sexuality. He laid this out in Genesis chapter two and it hasn't changed. Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
The bible not only calls homosexuality sinful, but it also never says anything positive about it. The scriptures are as clear about homosexuality as they are about the gospel itself.
As society pressures the church to accept homosexuality, we must realize that this is today's dividing line. It is the separator between those who will stand for the truth of scripture and those who will not.
We should not be surprised that many are caving in to homosexual pressures. It's the easy thing to do. However, it is not the right thing to do. Each of us has to ask ourselves whether or not we believe the bible is truth. If it is, then we must remain steadfast. This one topic is the biggest divider in the church today. We cannot give in. No matter how difficult, the church must remain steadfast.
(To read my full series on homosexuality, click here).
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