How should Christians Respond to Homosexuals and Homosexuality?

Nathan Ponjel

By Nathan Ponjel

In light of all the uproar over the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the US Supreme Court, it disturbs me to see the hatred exhibited by professed Christians towards homosexuals. To preface, I believe that homosexuality is absolutely, unquestionably wrong; however, that does not condone any sin on our part towards people who participate in such sin.

What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Romans 1:18-23 tells us that God's wrath against ungodliness is revealed from heaven against men and that they have rejected God and changed His glory into an image like to man and beasts.

Romans 1:24-32 then says, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boaster, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worth of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (And here I would like to clarify that we are not called to put them to death. See Matthew 18:23-35 and Romans 3:23, 5:8-10, 6:23.)

From Genesis 18 and 19, we know that Sodom and Gomorrah were filled with men who committed homosexuality (hence the term sodomy); though it is important to note that they were guilty of other sins as well. Leviticus 18:22 says, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (Again, look at the context, this also would be a rebuttal to those who are okay with heterosexual fornication, as God forbids that as well.)

So we know that the Bible is clear that homosexuality is wrong. But it isn’t simply a book that prescribes a way of not living, but a way of life, The Way of Life. Romans is clear that we are all sinners, fallen short of God's grace. (3:23, 5:8-10, 6:23 especially) This does not merely apply to gay people, but to all of us. The rebellious are going to the lake of fire without Jesus just as much as gay people. According to Matthew 7:13-23, many who profess to know Christ will not really be saved, they are merely pretenders. We all owe a debt we cannot pay, but those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ are free of that debt. It is forgiven, paid in full. (John 3, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 6:23) What right, what pride, what arrogance, what hatred, then drives us to beat the servant that "owes" us a hundred pence (Matthew 18:23-35)? We owed God, and He forgave us. Why do we hate those who we feel owe us by reason of them dishonouring their bodies?

Luke 10:10-16 tells us that it will be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment, than for the cities that rejected the 70 that Jesus sent to preach the gospel. It tells us the cities that rejected Jesus when He came to them will be worse off than the cities that existed in the darkness of wickedness and sin. Rejection of Christ is the worst thing that men can do. Matthew 28:18-20 gives us Jesus' command to take the Gospel to the whole world. Ezekiel 3:15-21 warns us that not warning the wicked and the righteous of their sin leaves the guilt on us as well as them when they fall.

So how is it any better for Christians to not take the Gospel to all nations, both others and their own? If we do not obey the Great Commission, if we bear no fruit, are we any better? Nay, but by the grace of God, we would suffer the same fate as those that so many seem to hate. Even if we count gay people as our enemies, the Bible says to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Last I checked, bad-talking people was not very kind or good, and it makes it onto the list of wickedness in Romans 1.

Of course gay people will not listen to the Gospel if those who profess to believe it are so hateful and unkind. Of course President Obama will not like Christians if they spend so much time talking about how evil and terrible he is. "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law" Romans 13:7-8). How much more powerful would our lives be if we practiced this in our lives?

Thus I leave with but two things to consider, one political, and one practical.

1: DOMA is a federal regulation, making a law about something that nowhere in the Constitution of the United States of America is the federal government given authority. Thus, legally, it should not stand, regardless of its morality. Thus, if you are a believer in States rights, and especially if you believe that the South should have won the Civil War, since that's a big deal down here, you should be in favour of the Supreme Court striking down DOMA on that count. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12. Our warfare is not against kings and presidents and congressmen and courts, but it is a spiritual battle. No law or regulation will win a battle, no violence will save men's souls. The blood has been shed, Christ died, He is risen. It is finished. We must shod our feet "with the preparation of the gospel of peace." We must put on the whole armour of God. The law may in all justice be struck down. It does not affect our responsibility. Thus this leads to the second point.

2: If you are so willing to protest homosexuality and its impact on our culture, what then keeps you from doing the work of the Lord? Why do so few participate in spiritual things as compared to those who are involved in the political realm? If homosexuality bothers you, spend time in prayer, both alone and in prayer group, praying for the salvation of gay people. Speaking especially to PCC students and faculty and staff, if you don't give yourself over to ministry and prayer and Bible study, you are wasting a great opportunity (the same applies for anyone in a school that leaves so much open for witnessing and missions). Go to Mission Prayer Band, allow yourself to hear the Word of God preached one more time in your week. Go the rescue mission, witness to the men there. Go to Seville square, go to Bible clubs. Have prayer groups on Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and Sundays. Spend your morning in God's Word and in prayer. Go to Mission Prayer Time. Pray for God to send workers into His harvest.

Most importantly, make missions and "full-time" ministry your default, as Missionary Bush said last week in MPB. Why do we seek a career and only serve God as a side-option, if we are "called" to service? Why should we not seek to take the Gospel to the world, and only settle for a career if God closes all other doors to service? Yes, we need people to support missionaries and pastor, but there would be money in abundance if we but gave 10%. So many more could go, if only they were willing. This is the answer to homosexuality and all other dangers that face America and any other nation. Gay people are slaves to their sin. They need freedom from their sin as much as we need freedom from any other sin.

May we be able to say in all sincerity (for last is true, whether or not I or any other is ashamed), "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)