Principle
Homosexuality has always been sinful (because it is inconsistent with God’s designed order).
Explanation
Genesis 18-19 records how GOD and two angels came down to inspect Sodom and Gomorrah based upon the outcry that had come up to GOD against them.
As GOD remained back with Abraham, He sent the two angels into Sodom.
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. So when he saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed with his face toward the ground. 2 Then he said, “Behold, my lords, turn in to your servant’s house and rest and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” But they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.” 3 But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 Now before they went to sleep, the men of the city, the Sodomites, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 Thus they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” 6 But Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “By no means, my brethren, do not act wickedly.
8 I have two daughters who have not known a man; let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the protection of my roof.”
9 But they said, “Stand back! You came in to sojourn among us. Was it also to be making judgments? Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, and they became weary trying to find the door.
Genesis 19:1-11 OSB
In these verses, there are a number of evil behaviors displayed, including:
- Violence
- Lust
- Hatred
- Homosexuality
In Isaiah 3:9, GOD said that Sodom paraded their sin proudly. (Sound familiar?)
Interestingly, Genesis 19 contains the Bible’s first reference to homosexuality. Prior to this, we have no record that GOD had communicated that homosexuality was sinful. And yet, Lot knew it was a sin and he directly confronted the men of Sodom that it was wicked.
If GOD hadn’t stated anything about homosexuality being sinful, how did Lot know that it was wicked?
I believe this is how:
- Lot, like all ancients, understood that GOD created all things.
- Lot knew that GOD designed proper order—the way life was supposed to work.
- Lot knew that GOD’s design was for men and women to marry and have sex.
- Lot knew that behavior that is inconsistent with GOD’s designed order is sin.
Homosexuality has been sinful even before the first command was given to avoid it.
This is precisely why Jesus didn’t need to say anything in condemnation of homosexuality. Both the Law of Moses and the apostolic teachings of the early Christians condemn homosexuality unequivocally.
In 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul addressed this principle within the context of criticizing erring Christians who wanted to teach the Law of Moses:
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV
And in 1 Corinthians, Paul gave this rebuke of homosexuality:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV
Anyone who claims the Bible is the divine Word of GOD must admit that the Bible directly, repeatedly, and clearly condemns homosexuality. Anyone who accepts, teaches, practices, or embraces homosexuality is not a true disciple of Jesus and should not even call themselves a Christian, for it is not the Christ of the Bible that they are imitating.
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