Hot Potato
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."1
A teenager asked me the question: "Do you think homosexuality should be legalized?"
My opinion wasn’t and still isn’t important. I shared what I believed God had to say, and that is that homosexuality is an unnatural condition.2 Lest we are tempted to be judgmental, we need to realize that God’s Word also lists it with other sins which are all destructive to human personality, and as such, are opposed by God. True, God forgives all who confess their sins, but indicates that those who willfully practice sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, male prostitution, homosexuality, stealing, greed, drunkenness, slandering, and swindling will not inherit the kingdom of God.3 If God is opposed to all of these damaging behaviors, can we justly legalize any one of them? Many heterosexuals are “driven” to sex outside of marriage but this is not God’s plan and is also sin. Others are “driven” to acts of pedophilia; dare we justify this too because “they can’t help it”?
Actually, there are often deep psychological causes behind many external "acts of sin." The causes often have their roots in the past and need to be faced and resolved if a person is to find wholeness"both emotional and spiritual.
If we justify and legalize any act of sin, we harm the person involved much more than we ever help him/her. It gives an excuse not to face one’s issues and resolve their problem.
As Christians we are to accept and love the sinner and not judge or condemn him or her (because we are all sinners and are probably all guilty of at least greed, gossip, or slandering which are listed with the sin of homosexuality). But this doesn't mean that we accept or approve of sinful behavior. Very often it has been a lack of love that has driven people into acts of sin"especially sexual sins. Only love, Christ's unconditional love through us, will ever draw these people out again.*
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be honest about my own sins and never be the ‘first one to cast a stone’ at other sinners. Also, help me to love all sinners even though I don't approve of their behavior. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name."
*For further information and help regarding homosexuality be sure to read Chuck Colson’s BreakPoint article, “When a Dog Says ‘Moo’” at http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/2851-when-a-dog-says-moo.
1. Romans 6:23 (NIV).
2. Romans 1:27.
3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
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