Homosexuality: The Biblical Response

This post is directed primarily to the evangelical Christian community. There are certain issues that tend to set Christians off, such as homosexuality and abortion. But there is a proper way for Christians to respond to sin and the sinner, and we need to keep that in mind.

As part of the writing ministry I have taken on, I have begun what is still a somewhat uncoordinated effort at forum writing. I quickly discovered two things that disturb me. The first is the hostility with which some people view evangelical Christianity. I suppose I am naïve, but I had no idea.

The second thing, which disturbs me even more, is the hostility of some who write from the "Christian" perspective. My heavens, people, have we forgotten that we are sinners, too?

To God, sin is sin and there are no degrees. The only issues that compound sin are when there is a victim, because we sin against others and against God, and when we encourage or entice others to sin – which is always the case with sexual sin. But all sin separates us from God. There are no little and big sins. Jesus made that clear at least three times.

The first time was when he told Peter to forgive those who hurt him seventy times seven. The second was when he challenged the church leaders to cast the first stone. The third was the parable of the Good Samaritan.

We are to love the sinner just as much as we hate the sin. And we are to hate the sin in our own lives just as much as – nay, more than – we hate the sin in other lives.

That does not just mean we should refrain from "Gay Bashing," bombing abortion clinics and similar things – it means we should treat homosexuals (and abortion advocates and everyone else) with all the kindness and courtesy we would show toward our pastor and his wife. It means we should not hesitate to work beside, touch, speak to and care about the homosexual person just as much as we would our own children.

We can't condone misbehavior wherever it's found, of course. We seek to remove it from our own lives and I don't believe we should allow those who eagerly and willfully profess themselves as participants in any sinful activity that brings ill repute on the church to be members of the church or to hold positions in the church. I do support laws limiting immoral behavior – including not only homosexual behavior but other sexual behavior outside of marriage.

But the Bible teaches we should support and obey not only the laws we agree with, but all laws, unless they directly force us to participate in behavior we believe is sinful or bar us from behavior we believe is commanded by God. It also teaches we should treat all persons with respect and kindness, remembering we are no better than they are.

After all, do you recall the story of the woman at the well? What if Jesus had said to her that He didn't want to be associated with sinners? Indeed, what if He had said that to you? Or to me?

We certainly don't merit His love.

Romans 3:23, Matthew 18:21-22,22:21 John 8:1-11, Luke 10:29-37, John 3:16, Luke 6:27-37, 41-42, John 4:7-30