Homosexuality is the naughty "h" word not allowed around some churches, households, and even amongst Christian friends. The sad part is, a lot of people have unanswered questions, suffer from feelings of isolation, and risk being without a church home because there is a remaining group of Christians and non-Christians who are absolutely intolerant to homosexuals. In the Bible, there are specific references made to the plan that God had for man. Since elementary we've heard the cheesy taunt: "God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve!". But as we can see from the world that we live in, a lot of what God has made is not used as intended and homosexuality is not the only sin in the Bible. So, why is it that people crack down on homosexuality so hard? What is it about homosexuality that is so completely unacceptable to people? Is the only way to deal with homosexuals ostracizing and ridiculing them? Or, does the love of Jesus offer a different way to address this issue?
In Genesis, the creation story is told that God created man and saw that he was alone and that it was not good. So, God created woman as a
helpmate to man. The two kept each other company in perfect paradise and we see that paradise was lot when Even took the first bite of the apple. Eve's disobedience to God explains how sin entered the world and why life is so difficult and ridden with temptations and pain. As we read further into the Bible, the infamous story of Sodom and Gomorrah is told. Whenever people justify the mistreatment of homosexuals, they hearken to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
When we read Genesis 19:3-10, we see what happened in the town of Sodom on the eve of its destruction. As I reread this excerpt a few new questions and perspectives sprouted into my mind. 1.) Why did the LORD destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? Answer: Genesis 18:20 "....the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin is so grievous..." Often, when people cite this story, they focus on the group of men that surrounded Lots house to have sex with the angels of God as a reason why the city was destroyed. Granted, these men were obviously willing to take part in homosexual acts, but I am inclined to believe that these men were not just homosexual, they were sexually perverse to the point of no control. The sexual perversion is a key factor when analyzing the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Not all homosexuals are mob-like and ready to break down the doors of any newcomers to their home town. I think that this is an important distinction to make in the story. In Ezekiel 16:49, we are offered further insight into the specific sin of the city that was so grievous.The people of Sodom were "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me." There is no mention of homosexuality in this verse.
2.) Why did Lot offer his daughters so quickly in order to bribe the men of the city that surrounded his house to have sex with the visiting angels? He was never punished nor chided for cavalierly offering his daughters to a mob of sexually perverse men. I still have no adequate answer for this question. An interesting point that caught my attention was found in Gen 19: 22: "But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." This verse was spoken by the angel sent to the destroy the city. This is a comforting verse to Christians because it lets us know that God cannot do anything, in terms of destruction meant for other people, until we His children are in safety.
References to Sodom and Gomorrah and its destruction are made throughout the Bible. Specifically for the sake of putting the sin of this city in perspective, let's look at Ezekiel 16:45-63. In these verses, God is saying that the sins of Israel and His chosen people are actually
worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. It says: "You not only walked in their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon become more depraved than they." When comparing Sodom and Samaria (two very sinful places) as sisters to Israel, God says: "You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done." {Ezekiel 16:51}
I use these Bibical excerpts to show that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed for more reasons than homosexuality. And, following the destruction of this city, other cities with greater sin were destroyed. Idolatry in the book of Isaiah and Jeremiah is the main reason for God punishing His chosen people and delivering them into exile. I am not negating that homosexuality is a sin. I'm de-stigmatizing it as the worst sin that people can commit. In my opinion, people target homsexuality as the worst sin committed by man because it is a more visible sin than most. Other sins like lying, cheating, causing dissension, and gossiping, are mostly invisible. People can get away with those more, whereas, a homosexual may not want to cover up their sin.
When discussing homosexuality, the word abomination is dropped like a bomb. However, as we inspect the Bible further, there are other abominations equally as sinful and more easily committed than homosexuality. But it's ironic that we don't hear about these sins half as frequently. Proverbs 6: 16-19 reads" These six things the LORD hates, yes seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren. Ironically, these are the sins that might be committed by the average person who may not be homosexual or sexually perverse but they are sinning nonetheless; moreover, they are committing an abomination.
As we can see throughout the Bible, a sin is a sin is a sin. Homexuality is a sin but so isn't being proud, haughty, and sewing discord amongst the brethren. And isn't looking down on another person for their personal walk with God and struggle being proud? Instead, we should run from judging one another like we're dodging the fire and brimstone of Sodom and Gomorrah because being proud is just as sinful in the eyes of God. "For He who is without sin throw the first stone." John 8:7. We are guilty and prone to sin but luckily Jesus came and by His stripes we are healed. We are not judge and jury (we should thank God for that literally). A name for the enemy in the Bible is "the accuser of the brethren". Hence, we should not help the enemy do his job in accusing one another and tearing each other down. It is our job to love one another and encourage one another. We are to convict one another, not condemn on another.
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sin." Proverbs 10:12
What would our churches look like if we really believed and lived the verse above? Wouldn't our pews be more diverse, more welcoming, more inclusive, more like the kingdom of the living God? Wouldn't there be more souls saved than souls driven to a life of torment because they can't escape scrutiny even at church? Where do you need to exchange love for hate?
Comments (9)
GREAT ARTICLE....SO TRUE SIN IS SIN...NO SIN IS GREATER THAN ANOTHER. IF PEOPLE WERE LESS MORE JUDGMENTAL AND LIVE BY THE SAYING "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO" THEY WOULD REALIZE THE WAY THEY ACT OR THE THINGS THEY SAY ABOUT THINGS THEY DISAGREE, THEY WOULD SEE THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE PERSON COMMITTING THE SIN.
Yes, whenever analyzing any text I believe its best when its done objectively and throughly. I think that allows the writer to stand by their agenda as well as present their argument directly. Thank you I apperciate that in you.
Yes I agree Sodom and Gomorrah has its distinct interpretations and that these are just as credible as the other. Finally another writer who acknowledges these distinictions and says their just as importatnt.
I'm not a Christian. But my question for Christians is, is there any such thing as a full Christian? I mean how can you call yourself Christian but live it half way? For example agree that homosexuality is a sin but agree that your liar, gossiper, or cheater?
"I'm de-stigmatizing it as the worst sin that people can commit. In my
opinion, people target homsexuality as the worst sin committed by man
because it is a more visible sin than most. Other sins like lying,
cheating, causing dissension, and gossiping, are mostly invisible."
I've felt the same way for some time about the more visible sins. I also find it ironic that in the scheme of things, homosexuality does far less damage within a social structure, like a church, than does lying, cheating, causing, dissension and gossiping.
Well written.
Czzea,
Thank you reading and commenting.
To answer your question, you're asking a great question about hypocrisy amongst Christians. Just to give Christians a fair chance, we are held to an incredibly high standard in abiding by principles. So high is the standard, that we often all fall short of the glory of God and His expectation. That doesn't make us hypocrites, that makes us human. Making mistakes doesn't invalidate your salvation. Hypocrites are people who knowingly, willfully, and unrepentantly point the finger at other people while not doing some inward soul searching. There's a verse in the Bible that teaches Christians to remove the plank from their own eye before trying to remove someone else's plank. Also, when someone points the finger at another person, there are four fingers pointing back at them if you can imagine that visually. We should be so concerned with perfecting ourselves, that our time spent perfecting others is incredibly limited. To wrap up, there is a distinct difference in convicting someone, which is to encourage them with God's word and challenge them to live the best they can for the Lord, and condemning someone which comes from the enemy and is not of God. Since you're not a Christian, it can be understood as: My job is not to judge you or bedgrudge you, it's to nudge you! We can't go blind and let our friends and family wander off the deep end, we can simply point them in the right direction.
Does that clear things up?
BookMark, I'm with you 100% about lying and gossiping in church causing dissension and tearing up the family of God. Thanks for all your great comments!
You have many points in that Homosexuality is not a major sin. Sin is sin and there is no getting around it. Be carefull of what you say tha you dont give them help to stay in the sin show the truth that they will come out and you not be held responsible for their sin.
Troy,
You pose a very good point. As Christians, we have to make people aware of Bibical principles so that we are not held accountable for their wrongdoing. Holding each other accountable is sharing God's word with specific Bible references, being in prayer with one another, and ensuring that above all else, we worship God in spirit and in truth.
In this article, I make it clear that homosexuality is a sin. There's no way around it. I'm just trying to make people see that ostracizing and ridiculing people for their lifestyle is not going "to win souls" for Christ. It will push people away. Our job as Christians is to get people to the altar, from there, God will do the rest. If we continue to judge, hurt, and attack one another, we are causing division amongst ourselves, and when we're already doing that to ourselves who needs the enemy?
What do you think?
@czzea - Hi czzea, I know I'm replying months after the original post, but I just wanted to give you my opinion. It's an unfortunate reality that there are a lot of people who declare themselves Christians and yet pick and choose when it comes to which sins to condemn and which ones to ignore. However, the good news is that the true point of Christianity is that we are no longer defined or enslaved by our behavior. A "full Christian" is no more and no less than an individual who recognizes that he or she is flawed and accepts Jesus's perfection as a redemption for his or her own imperfection. As long as we are on this earth, we will all continue to struggle with making mistakes, but where "good" behavior comes in is as a RESPONSE (not a PREREQUISITE) to God's love and sacrifice.
@Eryn - This is one of the best statements on the Bible and homosexuality I've read. I agree that the church's stigmatization of homosexuality over other sins has resulted in alienating a huge group of people from feeling the love of God and His people. Thanks for your thoughtful, carefully researched and loving treatment of the subject!
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I clicked on this link, but this is more or less my thoughts exactly; though clearly you are more concerned about the topic than I am.