How Should Christians Respond to the Issue of Homosexuality?

By: Charlie Kelly
Charlie is a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Life Connection Group Teacher at Graceland Baptist Church.

The issue of homosexuality looms large in our culture.  We are all affected by this issue, and will be increasingly so.  As Christians, we must accept the challenge of knowing how to respond biblically.

In dealing with the issue of homosexuality there is a “ditch on both sides of the road,” so to speak.  In other words, people have often erred on one side, and then as a knee jerk reaction, a different group has over-compensated and erred on the other side.

One error (ditch) is unbiblical disengagement.  This is most prevalent among my age group (30+) and older, and/or those from a socially conservative background.  While homosexuality is one of the oldest sins in recorded history, in modern western society, it has long been repressed by societal norms (in eastern cultures, it is still repressed).  It is only in recent decades that this sin has begun to be so openly expressed in the West.

 

The way societal repression of homosexuality looked for many people in my age range or background was that we grew up hearing about how gross and disgusting homosexuals were.  They were referred to by derogatory names; we were told any physical contact with them put us at risk of getting AIDS, etc.

 

For many of us who grew up in that milieu, we have “cognitive dissonance,” (we hold two things to be true that can’t go together). On the one hand we believe that all people are sinners and need Jesus, and in another category of our mind we still deal with the undercurrent of how we were brought up to think of homosexuals. 

What is the result?  The result is that we Christians have done a shamefully poor job of evangelizing homosexuals.  Look at 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11a:

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.  And such were some of you. 

Notice that Paul was talking to a church at Corinth.  If you looked around that church, you would have seen people that used to walk in all sorts of sins, including homosexuality. 

If you were to tour the churches of America, you would find many former adulterers, thieves and drunks, but of whom would you not find many?  Homosexuals.  Until we can look around our churches and say of homosexuality…”and such were some of you,” then we have much work to do in evangelizing the homosexual community.

The second error (the other side of the ditch) is a dismissive view of the true sinfulness and consequences of homosexuality.

 

There is a tendency in “progressive” Christian circles to claim that homosexuality is not a sin.  They say the apostle Paul was either wrong, speaking only from his limited knowledge of human sexuality, or referring to heterosexuals who were acting unnaturally by performing homosexual acts.  All of these excuses defy the clear biblical message that homosexuality is an “abomination” (Lev. 18:22) and a deviation from God’s original natural order (Rom. 1:26).

 

Romans chapter 1 specifically calls out the sin of homosexuality.  In that chapter, Paul makes the argument that through the suppression of the true knowledge of God humanity can go to extremes in their perversions.  The argument is that if fallen humanity is willing to pervert a most obvious and natural heterosexual relationship in order to commit homosexual acts, they are capable of anything.

Some will argue that the sin of homosexuality is on par with any other sin, such as lying and cheating.  This is true in one sense, and false in another.  It is true in the sense that any sin is enough to separate us from God.  The wages of any sin is spiritual death.  However, all sins are not equal in their consequences or in the degree to which they are a perversion of God’s created order.

 

For the Christian, any sexual sin is a desecration of the temple of God.  1 Corinthians 6:18-19 says, “Flee from sexual immorality.  Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” 

 

Homosexuality perverts and destroys the family structure and society.  It inverts the gender roles created by God for human flourishing.  God created men and women differently.  Homosexuality prevents the complimentary functioning of the natural relationship.  This natural relationship is modeled for us by the Trinity, where we see Persons who are equal in essence, yet different in function.  Boys and girls need the developmental influence of a father and mother.  In the Christian community, the church is to intervene on behalf of children who do not have this influence by providing it in community.  As more families lose their ability to function as God created them, we see an increase in the breakdown of the society-at-large because the family unit is the primary unit of society.

 

Homosexuality is a flaunting of the rebellion against God’s created order.  Some homosexuals (and others) may insist they do not recognize God or his law and therefore are not in rebellion.  However, Romans 1 teaches that the truth is made plain to them, but they suppress that truth in order that they may live as they please.

 

Once we are able to avoid veering off into either ditch when dealing with this issue, we can then look ahead and proceed in a biblical manner in dealing with homosexuality.  So what should we do?

 

We should share the good news of Jesus with homosexuals while keeping the following things in mind:
 

1)    Recognize that homosexuals did not arbitrarily choose to have the attractions they do

The reaction of some to homosexuals is, “Well, just quit doing that.”  However, this misunderstands the very real and deep-seeded orientation that comes naturally to those with same-sex attraction.  People who are addicted to drugs would often like to “just quit doing that,” but that is not a realistic way to address these types of issues.

 

Homosexuality can most often be attributed to a problem occurring during the developmental process of the early childhood years.  It is usually a “nurture” not a “nature” problem.  Some would argue that it is indeed an issue of nature because they believe it is genetic.  However, even if it were genetic in nature, the fact that people have a natural inclination to something does not give moral justification to that action.  According to a biblical worldview, we are all born with a sinful nature and, therefore, an inclination to sin.  It is genetic, because we have inherited our fallen nature from our father Adam.  However, the fact that our sin nature is inherited does not excuse us before God.  He holds us accountable.
 

2)    Recognize that we are all sexual sinners

 

Christians should never look down their noses at homosexuals as if they were not sexual sinners themselves.  Homosexuality is one way that sexual sin is manifested, but we have all manifested it in some form.  Jesus took to task those who wrongly thought they had not broken sexual laws.  In Matthew 5:27-28, he says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

When we approach a homosexual, we do so as a fellow sexual sinner who is also in need of a great Savior.  The foot of the cross is level ground.  We show them that just as God has forgiven us of our sexual sins, so he can forgive them as well.

 

3)    Recognize that sanctification is a hard, life-long process, but is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit

 

There is no magic pill for sin.  It is a rare occasion that a new believer suddenly loses all their former fleshly urges relating to their vices upon becoming born again.  The former drunk will usually still feel the urge to take the easy way out of problems.  The former porn addict will usually still feel the cravings of the lust of the eyes.  The former thief will usually still feel the itch that he knows can be scratched by his old ways.  In the same way, a former homosexual may have to continue fighting against his sexual urges by taking every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

 

The difference between we Christians now, and our former selves, is that we no longer have to sin.  We formerly sinned because we freely chose in our sinful nature to do what came natural.  But having been brought to spiritual life and given a new nature, we now have the ability to walk in the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).  Those who truly belong to Christ (including those struggling with same sex attraction) are part of the golden chain of redemption found in Romans 8:29-30:

 

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

 

There are no dropouts.  And no one in this group will be able to say they were not a sexual sinner.  While the earthly future for believers may be difficult, it is not a struggle to be something we are not, but a Spirit-empowered march towards being what we already are.  All Christians, by virtue of their new nature and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, are able to resist the sins to which they were once enslaved and offer their body up to God as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).

 

In summary, homosexuals need the gospel.  We all need the gospel.  It is the hope for reconciliation with God and the restoration of all aspects of our humanity, including our sexuality.  We are to take the gospel with wisdom, humility and love.  It is with wisdom that we will not be dissuaded by the political correctness of this age.  It is with humility that we will see our own selves rightly.  And it is with love that we will properly reflect the attitude of a God whom we love, because while we were still sexual sinners, he first loved us.

“It is Finished” – What Exactly did Jesus Finish on the Cross?

By: Charlie Kelly
Charlie is a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Life Connection Group Teacher at Graceland Baptist Church.

The last words uttered by Jesus before his death were, “It is finished.”  What ending was it that he was announcing?  The great British theologian Matthew Henry (1662 – 1714) points us to several things that Jesus had then finished:

 

1)      The torment of his persecutors was finished.

 

Much pain was inflicted on Jesus at the hands of the Jews and Romans.  His scourging and nailing to the tree was ordained before the beginning of time.  Jesus finished his necessary endurance of all the pain.

 

This makes us ask, to what extent can we expect God to deliver us from the torments of this world?  King David often asked to be delivered, and saw deliverance time and time again.  The Psalms are full of his thanksgiving to the Lord.  On the other hand, the apostle Paul asked to be delivered from the thorn in his flesh, but was not.  In both instances, God was glorified.  When he delivers, he is to receive thanksgiving and praise for his merciful deliverance.  When he doesn’t deliver the way we would like, he can receive glory in demonstrating that his power is made perfect in our weakness. 

 

It is biblical for us to ask for deliverance from our troubles.  However, we must be willing to trust the wisdom of the Lord, knowing that while he always has the power to deliver us physically, the path to his greater glory is his goal and plan.  In every case, let us say with Job, “though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).  May our joy in seeing God glorified ultimately surpass our desire for temporal relief.

 

2)      The eternal plan of God to redeem a people through the Son’s sacrifice was finished.

 

The sending of the Son by the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit was not God’s plan B.  Before the foundation of the world, this plan of redemption had been set.  God prophesied and then meticulously fulfilled every single aspect of the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Messiah.

 

What about our life?  Is God back-peddling, making the best of the mess we tend to make of our lives?  We see through the life of Jesus that God is not making up history as he goes.  Even the deeds of good and wicked men in the life of Jesus fell perfectly into place.  Know that God is sovereign and nothing catches him by surprise.  There is a reason why “all things work out for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).  That reason is the sovereign plan of God who “declares the end from the beginning” (Is. 46:10).

 

3)      The ceremonial law was finished.

 

Jesus didn’t just die for us.  He lived and died for us.  That living part was important.  He kept every law perfectly.  He did this so that it could be said of him that he, “fulfilled all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15).

 

 

So how many of God’s laws do we not have to keep in order to go Heaven?  All of them?  Any of them?  The answer may surprise you.  In a sense, we have to keep them all.  It is not enough to be sinless, we must also be righteous.  This is obviously a problem for all of us!

 

 

The good news is that Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf (Matt. 5:17).  Jesus lived and died for us, so that “in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).  This doesn’t mean that we can live according to our sinful desires, because loving God and his law is an evidence of our salvation (1 Jn. 1:7).  But it does mean that the perfect holiness of God which commands perfect obedience, has been met on our behalf by our perfect Savior.

When Good Things Become God Things

By: Charlie Kelly
Charlie is a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

www.newlineministries.com

I can always feel it coming.  Another sports season is just around the corner.  The banter is already starting.  Fans touting their team’s previous record.  Excitement stirring over the latest recruits.  The casual jabs at the fans of the big rival.  Soon the real show will begin.  Stadiums will fill with their loyal subjects, decked out in team colors, face-paint and foam fingers.  The chants will echo.  The mascot will dance down the sideline. Anxiety, elation, and despair will sweep around stadiums and living rooms while grown men live vicariously through their hometown warriors.

Being from Georgia, I have experienced my share of great expectations eventually being crushed by what seems like a regional curse.  I remember one particular friend who told me that he could not bring himself to take phone calls at his home after a loss.  Many people’s entire week will be either made or ruined by the final numbers on the scoreboard.  Looking at them the next day, fans from the losing side often appear as if they just lost a family member.

I’m a sports fan.  I’m not knocking rooting for the home team, or even getting excited about it.  There’s a place for that.  The problem is that some of the most dangerous things in life are good things.  Whenever we take a good thing, and make it a god thing, that’s a bad thing.  This improper elevation of affections is natural for us.  John Calvin famously said that “the human heart is an idol factory.”

Imagine you went to a friend’s house and found them gardening in their front yard.  As you approached you noticed that they were digging holes for their flowers with a jewel-laden, golden chalice.  Surely you would have chastised your friend for using such an expensive, precious cup for such a common task.  The problem would not have been with digging the holes.  With a shovel, that is a right and proper thing to do.  But a golden chalice is made to serve a more noble purpose.

Being made in the image of God, we are indeed created to glory in something outside ourselves.  What a shame if the practical climax of the affections of our heart are wasted in the dirt of trivial games.  Again, there is nothing wrong with rooting for the home team, but consider how your affections for those things stack up against your affections for Christ.

When I think about something worth getting excited about…

I see a man standing on the bow of a boat being tossed in a tumultuous storm, telling it to shut up and sit down – and it obeys because it hears the very One who made it.

I see a man sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, surrounded by angels unable to look, in the middle of a smoke-filled temple whose very foundations literally shake at the declaration of His holiness.

I see a man on a white horse, with eyes ablaze in manifested power, having tattooed on his thigh “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

I think of the experience of Him in 1989, when this little 9-year-old boy knelt before Him on an old metal stool and felt the chains of sin and death snap away – and the Sovereign and Omnipotent grasp of that same man snatched him out of the kingdom of darkness and thrust him into the Light.

Now that… is worth getting excited about. As C.S. Lewis said, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

www.newlineministries.com