Question

I have often been told that the gay lifestyle is wrong and that one has a need to change – whereas it is difficult to believe such a story when one knows that to be gay is not a choice but is a matter of what and who you are – surely a gay person who loves God and follows him will be loved by God and still counted as one of his Children – can anyone out there give me some biblical truth to back this up – this is a matter that I have been meaning to ask someone for some time now but never know of this place and since I am here now, perhaps some of you will enjoy this
little bit of homework. I have been told that there is somewhere in the Bible where it is found but I don’t know where it is! Can you help? 

Answer

Unfortunately, whoever has told you that the Bible condones people continuing in the practice of a homosexual lifestyle has sadly misled you. To clarify your question, there are at least four matter which the bible clearly affirms: 1. God loves all people. 2. God hates and condemns the sin of homosexuality. 3. Homosexuality is a choice, a sin we have chosen to commit. 4. In order to be saved, one must turn from this and from all sin.

To answer your question, I will take these in the order listed above.

1. God loves all people. God has shown His love for all, including all who have sinned, by providing us with all physical things. Further, as the ultimate proof of His love, He has provided the way by which we can be saved, thought the blood of Jesus.

MAT 5:43 ¶ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’
MAT 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you
MAT 5:45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

ROM 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
ROM 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
ROM 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. God hates and condemns the practice of homosexuality. Both in the Old Testament and the New, this is made clear in many passages. It is against the physical make-up of men and women and the purpose of marriage. Notice the following passages.

LEV 20:13 ‘If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.

ROM 1:18 ¶ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
ROM 1:19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
ROM 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
ROM 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
ROM 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
ROM 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
ROM 1:24 ¶ Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.
ROM 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

3. Homosexuality is a choice, not brought about by necessity. The very nature of sin is, it is an act against the Law of God. Something that we choose to do and are deceived by. Although we may be convinced that we have no choice, this is a part of our deception and will prevent us from facing responsibility for our actions and recognizing our need to change, if we are to please God.

1JOHN 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

JAM 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
JAM 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
JAM 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

4. In order to be saved, we must turn from our sins, including homosexuality. This is clear from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians where he mentions that some had been involved in various sins, including homosexuality, but they had turned from them and, by the grace of God, had received forgiveness of sins. If we continue in these things, we cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.

1CO 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1CO 6:10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1CO 6:11 And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.

Through the mercy of God, we can have the hope of eternal life, if we are willing to submit to Jesus and turn from our sins. Being with God is worth more than any pleasures we may have here during our short stay upon the earth.

By Gary Hunt