Deeply Loved

—Please note that if you choose to read this, you are doing so knowing that this will be a post that teaches against the practice of homosexuality. That being said, I will not tolerate hate mail for my interest in simply doing a Bible study on such a controversial topic. It is my right to post something I am passionate about as it is your right to post something completely opposite that you are passionate about. And just as you would rather not have to deal with hate mail from me, please be respectful and do not read if it is your intent to write an angry letter of insult to me about my beliefs.—

While studying my Bible tonight in preparation for a small meeting I’m having with a new acquaintance on Wednesday, I discovered a lot of little truth nuggets hidden in the Bible that reveal the reasons why homosexuality is actually sin and why we preach about it. If you have never really looked into it that much, you may find these verses and insights very interesting. 

Notes on Homosexuality (5/1/13)

Leviticus 18:22 “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.”

Notes: (The following footnotes are taken from the Tyndale NLT Life Application Study Bible) ”These practices were common in pagan religions and cultures and it is easy to see why God dealt harshly with those who began to follow them. Such practices lead to disease, deformity, and death. They disrupt family life and society and reveal a low regard for the value of oneself and of others.”

Leviticus 20:13 “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.”

Notes: In this passage, much like the first one that I pointed out, he is reiterating that homosexuality is wrong, but now he has attached a punishment to it. Of course, before the crucifixion of Jesus, which covered all sin and made it possible for us to simply ask God for forgiveness, sin had to be dealt with in a much more harsh and physical way. Note that the punishment doesn’t involve sacrifice… if you committed this act, you died.

Matthew 19:4-6 “Haven’t you heard the scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer tow but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

Notes: Here, Jesus is actually replying to a question concerning divorce. (Hence why it is always important to have context while you’re reading Bible verses in order to prove a point… don’t ever take a verse out of context!) But here we see Jesus making the simple point that God intended man and woman to be together and become one flesh. He does not say man and man, nor does he say woman and woman.

Romans 1:26-27 “That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”

Notes: Here’s something very interesting… for one, God once again outright condemns the practice of homosexuality. But, what I find most interesting is what is said in the last verse, “…and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.” I’m not a perfect Bible interpreter, but to me, I see that as meaning that the result of homosexuality among men was a sexually transmitted disease - otherwise known today as AIDS. I don’t believe that God is the author of disease, or anything evil, but when we let ourselves indulge in sin, we open ourselves up for the consequences created by Satan.

1 Corinthians  6:9 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Notes: Here we see another outright condemnation of those who commit sexual sin of any kind, including homosexuality. I also really like that it says, “Don’t fool yourselves.” That’s exactly what we’ve done. In a world where we are convinced that everyone should be happy in their sinful nature, we have fooled ourselves into thinking that everyone will go to Heaven just because whatever gods may exist would never create such a cruel fate. We are, once again, sadly mistaken.

1 Timothy 1:10 “The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or who are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.”

Notes: As always, our wonderful God is showing us once again that this subject of homosexuality is not the only sin that man deals with. Just as we know that those who practice homosexuality are wrong, He reminds us that we are not blameless by including all of these other sins of which many of us can sometimes be guilty. However, focusing on the topic at hand, we see Paul letting God use him to remind us that homosexuality is still a sin and unacceptable to God. This verse in particular focuses on “the Law” which is written not for those who are already doing what is right, but for those who are “rebellious and lawless.” (If you read prior to this verse, you can see this in context and maybe understand it better.)

Supplemental Sexual Sin References

In order to supplement the previous verses which specifically condemn homosexuality, we must also include verses concerning the acts of polygamy and adultery, which most often come up in conversation to fluster the Christian who is defending their trust in the Bible as the authoritative word of God.

1 Samuel 1:2 “Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.”

Notes: What my NLT Life Application Bible says in reference to this verse and polygamy as a whole is that it was not God’s original intent for marriage. The reasons polygamy became a way of life for some people are firstly, to continue a family line. Secondly, some women would never have married nor survived in general were it not for the support of a husband. Polygamy, as most could imagine, causes major problems in the family and in society. It was never God’s intent.

*There are many verses on adultery and there won’t be many people who bring it up in an argument considering the fact that in today’s society, cheating within a marriage or even within a non-marital relationship is still frowned upon. Having sex outside of marriage is obviously also a form of adultery and may need to be addressed, and in that case, you can refer to these verses, all of which condemn sex before marriage: 1 Corinthians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 12:21, Galatians 5:19, Hebrews 13:4, and Deuteronomy 22:13-28.

Relevancy of the Old and New Testaments

And lastly, there will be those who argue that the laws concerning homosexuality are old and irrelevant, and to those people, you must look to this next verse.

Matthew 5:17-19 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Notes: This is a golden verse. When people question you about the relevancy of the Bible to today’s world, simply show them this. There is no guarantee that this will make them completely understand, but it will certainly help. Jesus came to accomplish the purpose of God’s word. His crucifixion did not void the law of Moses - the crucifixion serves as a bridge, if you will, from earth to heaven. God, through Jesus’ sacrifice, made it possible for us to reach the Him and know Him. His word will stand forever as the final say of what is righteous, true, and holy.