AN OPEN BIBLE AND AN HONEST HEART
What does God think about homosexuality?

          “I am an openly, proud gay man.” With these words, Michael Sam announced to the world that he is homosexual. Michael Sam was a defensive lineman at Missouri. He will likely be the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. President Obama and others congratulated him for letting the world know that he was homosexual. The purpose of this article is not to be judgmental toward homosexuals, neither is it “gay bashing.” What I have in mind is that I simply want to ask, “What does God thinks about homosexuality?” Let us investigate this subject with an open Bible and an honest heart. The Bible does speak about homosexuality, and what is said is very, very clear. In the Old Testament we read, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) In Leviticus 20:13 we read, “'If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” These two Old Testament Scriptures were part of the law that God gave to the Jews.

          Today, we live under the New Testament. In the New Testament we read, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” (Romans 1:26-27) Homosexuality is against nature; it is vile; it is the result of lust. God does not make a person homosexual. They are not born that way. Homosexuality is the result of a person’s own lust. The homosexuals give in to their lust, and that leads to sin. A person may be born with a propensity toward a sin, but that does not mean that he can give in to it. He must strongly resist the sin. If he does give in to the sin, he is responsible. A person may be born with a propensity toward alcoholism, but he cannot give in to it. If he does give in to the sin, he is responsible. A person may be born with a propensity toward violence, but he cannot give in to it. If he does give in to the sin, he is responsible. A person may be born with a propensity toward homosexuality, but he cannot give in to it. If he does give in to the sin, he is responsible. Homosexuality is not a greater sin than any other sin, but like other sins, it will lead to eternal damnation if that sin is not forgiven. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 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 and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Many in our national media, in our government and some of our people are trying to turn our great nation into Solomon and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19) Homosexuality is contrary to God’s original arrangement. God’s plan is for one man to be married to one woman until the death of one or the other of them. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:24-25) With a heart filled with great respect, I would like to ask President Obama how he would fill if, in a few years, one of his precious daughters, Malia or Sasha should announce, “I am an openly, proud gay woman.” I know that, as a loving parent, he would be by their side for support, but would he proudly congratulate them and announce that fact to the world? Mr. President, I want to let you know, that if it should be the case that your daughters choose to be homosexual, you will miss the joy of seeing your children’s children. Grandchildren are such a wonderful blessing. “Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6) God said, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” (Proverbs 13:22) Mr. President, the joy of leaving an inheritance for your grandchildren could never be yours, if your daughters decide to be homosexual. Mr. President, you are my president and I pray for you to be a success and a great leader of our people. However, you can never be that great leader as long as you continue to put good for evil and evil for good. Isaiah, one of God’s great prophets wrote God’s words, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20) God remains consistent in His condemnation of homosexuality, as He does concerning all other sins. Homosexuality is a choice made by those who desire the unnatural. The good news is that God will forgive the homosexual and the church of Christ will love and accept that forgiven person as our brother in Christ. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

By, Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA