Beyond Common Sense

In the past week, I’ve been hit with this issue four different times.  It’s not something that I would choose to address; however, God had other plans!

With every ‘sin’ issue, the real question is: What does God say about this?  As  believers, what do we do with God’s statements, like:

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 18: 22

“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves” Romans 1:24

These are just two of the fourteen chapters where sodomy is mentioned.  God is not silent on this issue; in fact, He is very clear about the matter.

So how do we face these issues?  WE FACE THIS JUST LIKE WE FACE ANY SIN ISSUE: WE CAN ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS COMMANDED OR REJECT WHAT GOD HAS COMMANDED.

The Life Application Bible has a wonderful comment on the verse above in Romans:

“Homosexuality (to ‘change’ or ‘leave the natural use’ of sex) is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Lev. 18:22).  Homosexuality is considered an acceptable practice by many in our world today – even by some churches.  But society does not set the standard for God’s Law.[emphasis added]  Many homosexuals believe that their desires are normal and that they have a right to express them.  But God does not obligate nor encourage us to fulfill all of our desires (even normal ones.).  Those desires that violate his laws must be controlled.”

When homosexuality enters our lives as the face of a loved one, it becomes more difficult to make Biblical stands.  This is true for all sinful situations; however, we will never help anyone by encouraging or condoning their sin.  So many aspects of today’s society fly in the face of God’s Laws:

God says, “Thou shall have no other gods before me.”

               Man says, “I am god.”

God says “Thou shall not make unto thee any graven images.”

               Man worships every successful entrepreneur, singer, athlete and movie star.

God says, “Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”

                 Man even shortens it into an abbreviation!

God says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

               Man chooses to do EVERYTHING but attend church on Sunday and keep it holy or set apart for God.

God says, “Honor thy father and thy mother.”

               Man teaches his sons to rebel before they enter kindergarten.

God says, “Thou shall not kill.”

                Man says, “A woman has the freedom to choose to murder.”

God says, “Thou shall not commit adultery.”

               Man erases every perimeter of marriage to satisfy his lustful desires.

God says, “Thou shall not steal.”

               Man is so numbed to this thought that he will order ‘water’ but takes soda instead!

God says, “Thou shall not bear false witness.”

               Man turns the truth in to a lie and a lie into truth!

God says, “Thou shall not covet.”

               Man fuels his economy on covetousness.

These are God’s laws, we cannot ignore them; however, there is grace!  Grace – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – forgives us when we break God’s laws.  Grace forgives, but it doesn’t excuse or condone sin!  If I was a kleptomaniac before finding salvation by grace alone, then my sin is forgiven; however, I forsake the sin and move towards sanctification or Christ-likeness.  I no longer practice my kleptomaniac ways!

So, homosexuality is not the problem, neither is other sexual sins like living together or premarital relationships.  The problem is whether we will believe what God said about sin and live our lives accordingly, or will we be duped once again by Satan’s very first lie to mankind: “Yea, hath God said?”