Yesterday, President Barack Obama reversed his initial position from 2008 by now saying he supports gay marriage. After what he calls a lengthy discussion with family and friends, he now, “personally believes gays and lesbians should have the right to marry.” Although many deem his announcement as the first sitting U.S. president to support this issue as a symbolic moment for the country, others remain vehemently opposed. This article seeks to present the truth, in a loving and graceful way, about homosexuality and gay marriage in the midst of the confusion and controversy.
RECENT STATISTICS
According to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC news poll and other sources, here are a few facts on homosexuality and gay marriage.
- 49% of Americans favor gay marriage
- 40% of Americans oppose gay marriage
- There are approximately 600,000 homosexual couples in the U.S.
- Openly homosexual people make up 5% of the population in most cities
- States where homosexual marriage is legal include Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, California, Washington, Maine, and Vermont
THE TRUTH
In writing this article, there is no easy way of addressing this difficult topic. Regardless of what is presented as true, there will be backlash from many who will say that what is said is unloving or ungraceful, while others will disagree completely and accuse me of bigotry. Nonetheless, the truth must be told according to what the perfect word of God says, not what imperfect men and women say: This was Obama’s first mistake. The reality is that for the Christian, the Scriptures must be seen as perfect, sufficient, and reliable concerning everything in this life.
Accordingly, here are a few basic truths regarding homosexuality:
1.) Heterosexuality was God’s original intent for creation, both in the context of marriage and for society as a whole. The union he created between men and women was intended to reflect the relationship between God and his people, an inseparable relationship defined by love, commitment, and trust.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
2.) Homosexuality is the result of an event in human history called the fall. During the fall, man rebelled against God and sin entered the world, therefore corrupting the physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual nature of all men and women who would ever walk the earth.
“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” (Romans 1:26-27)
3.) Homosexuality is a sin of commission, “doing what God tells you not to do.” And like all sin, those who do not repent of their sins and acts of rebellion will suffer the punishment of living in disobedience to God.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
4.) Christ Jesus came into the world to save all sinners, homosexuals included, from the destructive disease called sin. He died on the cross, suffered the death that we should have died, and rose again to show his power over sin and death. This same power he works through to believers that they too might die to sin and live in uprightness before God by receiving healing for the broken sinful natures in our hearts.
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
THE LOVING RESPONSE
When it comes to the church, many so called “Christians” have made God to appear as if he hates homosexuals with unloving and un-compassionate speech. This behavior was influenced more by culture than by the teachings of Christ. The bible teaches that all homosexuals are human beings, and like all human beings they are created in the image and likeness of God and should be treated with love, respect, compassion, and dignity. The Christian should respond lovingly, prayerfully, and truthfully by presenting the message of hope through the gospel.
On the other hand, regardless of how people respond or fail to respond to homosexuals or the issue, the truth of the matter stands and remains unchangeable. In spite of what the court rules or what culture and Obama say, the practice of homosexuality isn’t pleasing to a holy God. The good news is that there is hope for homosexuals because Christ can transform sinful desires as he is at work continuously in the mind and heart of individuals around the world.
So no, God doesn’t hate homosexuals. But he thoroughly hates the sin of homosexuality, as he hates all sin. But Jesus Christ came in the world to save and transform men, not to condemn them.
We at the Urban Gospel Mission believe that homosexuals should be treated equally and valued as everyone else. Hating someone based upon their religious beliefs, sexual preference, race, or gender, is wrong and sinful. Yet the bible teaches that we should love our brother, and the true definition of love is, “Desiring and striving for the perfect good for the life on an individual.” The perfect good for an individuals is living their lives according to the will of God, and the word of God teaches that the will of God is for all men to follow all his commandments. True joy is found in obeying all the commandments of God, which also includes his commandments about homosexuality. If you would like to speak more in depth with someone about this subject matter, please contact us at urbangospelmission@gmail.com.
Hi!
Great post! It represents “Biblical values and proportions” (phrase borrowed from Bob Kauflin).
I agree wholeheartedly with everything here. But as members of the body of Christ, is it not important that we define our loving response?
I think it’s helpful for us to acknowledge that President Obama never said that he no longer believed that homosexuality is a sin, but that this was an issue regarding people. As the president of a nation in which at least 5% of its citizens are members of the LGBT community, how does he serve them well?
While I would love for certain portions of our legislation to reflect the teachings of Jesus, I would be remiss to ask the country to vote for them, simply because I believe them to be right. As stated in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, unbelievers will never understand the word of God without the Holy Spirit, so I can’t necessarily ask them to defend it. Am I honestly responding to God’s mission by voting against the rights of equally sinful people? I find it remarkably unfortunate that marriage, an intrinsically sacred covenant between God, is also the source of financial and social equity in the U.S.
I don’t know whether Obama has changed his beliefs to something unbiblical, but I can understand his decision. The sooner people in same-sex unions are treated by the church as generally inflicted with sin sickness as any other non-Christian, the more effectively they will hear the gospel and personally know the author and perfecter of our faith.
#1: The bible says that we as Christians must obey our authorities (follow the laws of the land). Therefore if our government declares is to be illegal (wrong) to smoke weed, we as Christians should not break the law.