Our society has become one of tolerance for all things it seems, except Christianity. We are supposed to accept all people and everything they do. I am all for a more peaceful world with less hatred and violence, but I will not throw away my values and Christian beliefs. I do not hate anyone, nor do I look down on anyone, but there are things that are wrong and I don't have to agree with them. I am not being hateful by disliking a lifestyle or disagreeing with someone's values. I believe in God's word and do my best to abide by it. An especially controversial issue today is homosexuality. Instead of people looking at homosexuals like they're doing something wrong, people look at Christians as if we are wrong to disagree with the homosexual way of life. I have never discriminated against someone who was gay or given them funny or mean looks. I have never tried to tell someone who was gay that they were wrong or gross. I do not find that someone who is gay is any more disgusting than some of the things you see heterosexuals do in movies. In short, I am not a "homophobe."
I do, however, believe that homosexuality is wrong and it is a sin in God's eyes. Saying that, I also believe that premarital sex, adultery and divorce (with the exception of infidelity or abuse) is a sin. In 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, Paul writes, "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. (NKJV)" In Romans 1:25-27 it says, "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.(NIV)"
So, clearly, homosexuality is a sin. But any Christians that hate gay people and find their acts appalling, consider this: Have you ever had sex out side of marriage? Have u ever stolen anything? Have you ever coveted anything like another man or woman or a car? Do you often drink more than you should? Have you ever talked bad about someone or said hurtful things to someone? Have you ever blackmailed or threatened someone in order to get money or something from them? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then according to the Bible, you are unrighteous just like homosexuals. I would have to answer yes to some of them. In James 2:10 it says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.(NIV)" I am not saying that homosexuality is not a big deal, but that ALL sin is a big deal, including homosexuality.
Now, I've often wondered how a person is supposed to make themselves like the opposite sex if they truly have feelings for the same sex. I know that I wouldn't want to make myself like girls. If a gay person became a Christian and wanted to start living for the Lord, I've wondered how difficult it must be to make yourself like someone and have feelings for someone you aren't attracted to at all. I realized, though, that it's the same as any other sin. If you're an alcoholic and become sober, you don't stop wanting alcohol. The key is the Lord's help. Victory over sin is only possible through Jesus. I went through a breakup about two years ago with my boyfriend of six years. I did not want to break up with him and I loved him very much; but, I knew that God did not want me to be with him. If I had stayed in that relationship, knowing that it was wrong, I would have been living in sin. That breakup was very difficult and at times still is, but I had to trust that God had a plan. God hasn't shown me the one He wants me to be with yet, but I trust that He will bring him into my life when the time is right. So, if you are a homosexual, the situation is similar. You have to trust that the Lord will lead you to the right person. I sometimes wonder if I will ever love someone the way I loved my boyfriend, but I know that God will give me the love I need when the right man comes along. I can imagine that someone who is gay thinks that a heterosexual relationship is impossible because the feelings aren't there, but if you follow God, the rest will fall into place. If you put God first, you will discover that things can happen that you never thought were possible. Just like I had to ask for forgiveness and start following after God, the same is true with homosexuals, adulterers, and all those mentioned in 1 Corinthians. If you are gay, or having sex with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or having sex with someone other than your spouse, according to God's word you are living in sin. The good part is that it's never too late to turn your life around! God's forgiveness is for everyone. Romans 3: 22-24 says, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.(NIV)"
I have written this to remind Christians that we all are sinners and should be careful about judging those whose sin is visible. I have also written this to defend my Christian faith and to say that homosexuality is definitely wrong and is a sin that should not be taken lightly. We Christians should not stop talking about homosexuality and how it is a sin, but we should also reach out to those who are involved in this sin and try to lead them to the Lord without condemning them.
