May 3, 2018 Thursday

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, John 3:16-17 Does God hate homosexuals?

Do you hate those you redeem?

Homosexuality is dividing the Church and our nation. Just like before the Civil War the Church has failed to look for God’s will and sought our own “wisdom”.  We must decide just who is God.  Does God have the final say?  We have the right to ask the question, but will we obey God?  If we do not the schism may lead to destruction and violence.

Because of the sensitive nature of this topic I will use two scriptures to look at homosexuality and another about how we are to treat those who live homosexual lifestyles.

“9 ¶ Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV)

Though many have tried to word study their way out of the meaning in this passage it is very clear homosexuality is a sin.  It is a sin just as worshipping money, stealing, adultery, allowing addiction to turn them from God and yes, hating those who are homosexual.  No more, no less!

Sexual sin is seen in different ways:

Fornication – unmarried people having sex with someone of the opposite sex.

Adultery – A married person having sex with someone of the opposite sex they are not married to.

Homosexuality – literally means “of uncertain affinity” and is having sex with someone of the same sex.

Incest – having sex with a person in your immediate family including step family.

Bestiality – a person having sex with and animal.

All are wrong and are sin.  Jesus even takes it so far to teach if you think about having sex with someone it is a sin!  That is why pornography is a sin. (Matthew 5:28)

If we deny homosexuality is a sin we do two terrible things.  First, we call God a liar!  Second, we leave those who live a homosexual lifestyle without hope!  To accept homosexuality is to leave many people without the hope of redemption because they believe they do not need it!  We will be judged severely for this.  For to steal hope is to steal someone’s soul!

Does that mean God hates homosexuals?  Does that mean that we should?  GOD FORBID!

“16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NIV)

God loves all sinners so much He was willing to let His only and precious Son be slaughtered for us.  Not merely be killed, but to literally be slaughtered for us.  Because of us.  Each of us tortured, humiliated and killed Jesus by our sin!

God makes a distinction between the sin and the sinner.  God hates the sin that destroys us, perverts us, and makes our lives slavery to our desires and our fears.  The sin which separates us from Himself!

God is able to look beyond the chains to see the pains in the hearts of those who are bound by them.  The men who tortured Jesus were not good people doing bad things.  They were lost and broken people who enjoyed the suffering of others, but Jesus forgave them because He loved them!

We have no right to hate those whom God loves!  In the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others.  We are to love those who sin and call them to the love and redemption of Jesus Christ!  The One who loves them most! 

We forgive because we are forgiven!  We love because we are loved!

To hate or be repelled by a sinner is as much a sin as homosexuality.  We, like our Lord, should not condemn, but seek to lead them to the God who loves them enough to give His own Son for them.  The Father deemed it too small a value on us to give Himself but offered the greater sacrifice of Jesus, the beloved Son!  We must love God enough to love them.  For we are warned;

“If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20 NIV)

            The message today is one many will not like and may even think I am bashing those who choose a different lifestyle but it is really written out of a concern for the souls of those who have been told their lifestyle is acceptable to God.  I WILL NOT LIE TO PEOPLE AND THEREBY SEND THEM OFF TO HELL WITH A SMILE AND THEN HAVE THEIR BLOOD AND SOUL ON MY HANDS!  God declares homosexuality, and sexual lifestyles other than heterosexuality to be wrong, harmful and a sin.  But homosexuality is a sin just like overeating, lying, adultery, stealing and even hating those who choose a different lifestyle.

            Years ago I was part of ministry which helped people wanting to come out of a homosexual lifestyle.  Only those who wanted to change were part of the ministry and the leader truly was amazing.  There was a need for more funding so we went to many congregations in Knoxville to seek funding to support the ministry.  No one wanted to support the ministry and other than a lack of funds there were two reasons they did not want to support the ministry.

1.       Homosexuals were going to hell so there was no need to help them.

2.       The homosexual lifestyle was a legitimate choice and they saw no need to help those who wanted to leave that lifestyle.

            To this day I am saddened by the response of those congregations.  The two views of homosexuality have grown sharper and even more separated.  I believe just as Jesus is the Man in the middle (like on the cross) we must find a middle ground which accepts we are not God and so we must accept God’s written word but we must also love the sinner and seek to call them back from what society says is acceptable but God declares is a sin.  Remember Jesus died for them and this is the value God has placed on them and the people of God MUST also!!!

            Today was a little better but still it was painful.  Bonnie and Rebecca got away and enjoyed their day.  Jonathan came after work and fixed supper.  It was so nice to see that work out and be able to spend time with Jonathan.  Every day is a good day with God no matter how painful and weary I am.  I do not know how I would make it through the day without God’s love, support and call upon which keeps me active and still ministering.