This study will be broken up into four parts because there is a lot that must be said on this subject. Part 1: It's about Standards, Not Religion, Part 2: What Sin is and why Homosexuality is Sin, Part 3: Love and Acceptance, Part 4: Gay Marriage vs. God's Design.
Ecc 7:4 A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now.First off before I begin, my intent is not to bash homosexuals or even imply that they are any worse than anyone else in the world. The purpose of this study is to identify the main misunderstandings between Christians and nonbelievers, to clear them up, and to explain why Christians believe what they believe regarding homosexuality and sin.
With the increasing acceptance of homosexuality in our culture, it is becoming difficult to understand what makes homosexuality a sin. It is so widely accepted now that many people cannot understand what the big deal is. How does a person's sexual preference affect anyone else, and what business is it of anyone, anyway? People see it more as a difference of opinion (either you like it or you don't like it) than a question of whether it is right or wrong. People see this acceptance of homosexuality as more of a progression and change in society than a moral issue. I know of many people that cannot understand why a religion could keep someone from accepting a person as they are, their minds can't grasp why God would ever call it a sin. As far as they are concerned it is a fact of life and it is a normal thing. The issue is not acceptance, nor is it religion. It is Standards.
This widespread acceptance of Homosexuality is a result of our standards changing as a society. This has happened a multitude of times in numerous cultures over time, people stray further and further from God, and homosexuality becomes prominent in society. It happens time and time again throughout the history of the Bible. Today, our liberal mindset has lead us to base our standards on culture's opinion rather than a higher power (which is also why our Presidents don't really have much power at all). Basically whatever the people say, that is the standard they abide by. This is completely understandable in a "godless nation" such as our own. If they don't believe in God, why should they abide by his moral standards? This is absolutely to be expected.
Regardless of whether you believe in God or not, it all comes down to the standards by which you live by. Our culture is divided in its opinions on homosexuality - many are for it, others are okay with it, these are usually people that are driven by cultural standards. Some people who are not "religious" think that homosexuality is abnormal simply because there is no scientific purpose for it, some people oppose homosexuality just because, "it's gross and weird." Others (like me) disagree with it because it is against God's moral standard.
I have some questions and a proposition for the agnostic/atheist. Please think about the questions. What will happen the moment after you breathe your last breath? Do you know? Will nothing happen? Will you go to Heaven? Hell? Purgatory? Something else entirely? Is it even possible to know such a thing? Wouldn't you like to know? Of course you would, but you don't believe it is possible, in fact you *know* it is not possible. Now here is my proposition: You are a human and you do not have all knowledge, correct? Therefore, you absolutely could be wrong about this. I propose that you take a few minutes and open your mind (in the same way you want others to be open to your views), listen to and consider the claims.
What if, and I do say if - you are wrong about your claim that God does not exist or that God does not have standards? What if the claim of Christianity is actually true? What if his standards did apply to you personally? If the Christian is wrong, then so be it, it wouldn't matter because there would be nothing to worry about. But if you, the one who claims there is either no God or no way to know if there is a God, come face to face with the God (the Creator) of the universe the moment after you die, what will you say? Can you imagine yourself being in such a situation?
If this God is the one true God, there is no getting around his standards because if God is true, that would mean that there IS truth and there is an ultimate right and wrong. I believe wholeheartedly that the claims of the Bible are true, that our very existence is evidence of a creator, and all logic and reasoning in every aspect of life points to one absolute truth: God. I believe the only standard that anyone should live by is the standard of the God of the Bible, because I believe it is the truth. Therefore, either homosexuality is right or it is wrong, and if I have reason to believe that the God of the Bible is real and true - I'm going to go with his standard and say, it is wrong. I believe this is an honest judgment.
We have all been given consciences that tell us when we are doing wrong and all humans (regardless of whether or not they take pleasure in these things) acknowledge that these things are wrong: lying, stealing, murdering, dishonoring authority, envying, adultery, worshiping something that is not true, exalting something ridiculous over something of utmost importance. I can guarantee you that most people in the world would agree that these things are in fact wrong. This is God's moral standard, his law, the 10 commandments to not willingly take part in sin.
The conscience does not say that homosexuality is right, the heart does - and according to the very words of God in Jer 17:9-10 "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
This is why our own personal beliefs and opinions cannot be legitimate truth, we base these things on our own feelings, emotions, and desires, because we do not know everything there is to know. There must be a standard that upholds absolute truth. If there is no absolute truth, how do we even function as human beings? It would be chaos everywhere, no order in anything. We would not survive.
You know the scenario I talked about before, about you standing before God after you die?
I'm telling you now - it will happen. I know you believe I am wrong on this. You say, how can you possibly know that? I know that I cannot convince you and that is not my intent. My intent is to proclaim the truth to you. It is entirely up to God if you will read this and be moved by it or read this and scoff at it. Until you come to a complete understanding of who Jesus is and why he had to do what he did, you will not (nor will you ever) understand my answers to your questions.
This is why it is absolutely necessary to think about death.
You must think about where you would stand with God because if it is true, there are standards and if you have broken those standards there is no reason that God would not (or should not!) punish you, just as a judge would in our own court system. We will all be held accountable for how we lived on this Earth, and whether or not we believed his Son, Jesus Christ.
Pro 2:2 -10:
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.
In my next post I will discuss sin: What sin is and why Homosexuality must be considered a sin.
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