Homosexuality & Christianity
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Sexual Identity / Identity in Christ
Let me first say, that if you are not a Christian and you are homosexual, this hub may or may not be for you. If you are considering becoming a Christian, making Jesus the Lord of your life, I truly hope you will gain some insight into this controversial subject.
You probably are wondering if you can call yourself a Christian and be sexually involved with a homosexual partner, even in the context of marriage (aka “holy matrimony”). I’m writing this hub, addressing this subject, because some people believe in Christian homosexuality; some people do not. I tend to be the latter, based on what I read in the Bible, which I will share with you here. If you are Christian, you really need to ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of what is right in the eyes of the God of the Bible.
This is my goal here, according to 2 Timothy 2:24-26 “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
Tonight I watched Dr. Phil. Jane Vale-Mitchell, a high-profile news anchor with a successful 20-year career in television, promoted her newest book, iWant, revealing her secrets about alcoholism and “sexual identity” and her triumphs of coming out of the closet. Notice the contradiction to “What God Wants”. All I can say is there must be a huge percentage of homosexual tolerance among his viewers to air such a controversial show. He’s often had Bishop Jakes as a guest. I wondered if Bishop Jakes embraces homosexuality. I did a bit of internet research, and so far it appeared an unclear issue with him as well. It appears he doesn’t support homosexuality, but then rumor has it his son is homosexual. Half the time I don’t know if what I read is true or fictitious. All I do know, is my perception of Dr. Phil is now questionable.
I AM the Judge?
If you are a homosexual or the family member or friend of a homosexual reading this hub right now, you might be greatly OFFENDED at my implication that homosexuals are not Bible-believing Christians. The more I look at the news, listen to radio, read forums and hubs, check the internet, all I see is “tip-toeing” around the subject, or silence from the so-called Christian world. In fact, someone said the best thing to do as a believer, so as not to judge a homosexual, is to ignore them and just let them do their own thing. I suppose that’s what God does, too? We’ll look at the scriptures in just a moment.
Why the tip-toeing? Probably because of the well-known Bible quotes by those who do so. Let’s go ahead and get them out on the table first:
Romans 2:1 “Therefore you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?”
Matthew 7:2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”
Well, I am not a homosexual, so I do not fall under the category of “practicing the same things” or “doing the same myself”. Yes, I’m certain I have a log in my own eye. I admit that I am a sinner, however, there are certain things I just know NOT to do. I choose not to walk in sexual immorality. That is a choice. Do I have desires and temptations? Thank goodness, I don’t. That might not be “normal”, or it could actually be something the Lord has removed from my desires, replacing them with new desires. I’m not claiming I haven’t walked according to my flesh in this manner ~ YES I HAVE. Do you think I have no compassion? I embraced the love and forgiveness of God!
AM I THE JUDGE or is “I AM” THE JUDGE? Are we not to share the Word of truth with people because all of us are sinners? Do you think your pastor is not a sinner? Jesus Christ died for all our sin. We do our best to live in such a way that will bring glory to Him. When we fail, we repent (stop doing that thing), receive His forgiveness, and continue on. He told the woman caught in adultery to “Go and sin no more.” Believers are to be used of God to spread the Word IN LOVE regardless of their personal shame. Do I care about peoples’ salvation or should people just be kept in confusion about their “sexual identity” and how it affects their “spiritual identity” in Christ?
I can tell you that homosexuals know what hate feels like. How do I know? Because heterosexual Christians are hated, too! We are hated for different reasons, but if you claim to be a “homosexual Christian” you must suffer twice the hate! Maybe so; maybe not. I’m sure you have a few more scriptures for people like me, right? What about when Jesus said He didn’t come to judge the world, but to save the world? I suggest we also include the crucial NEXT VERSE:
John 12:47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” Okay ~ here’s the NEXT VERSE: “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”
Righteousness of Christ
So, I’m just a vessel. I’m courageous enough here to type the Bible verses that pertain to homosexuality, specifically, so you can let the Holy Spirit help you find your way ~~
1 Timothy 1:8-10 “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Have you ever looked up the definition of effeminate?: "having feminine qualities untypical of a man : not manly in appearance or manner." This would include transvestites and cross-dressers.
I noticed the words “righteous person” and “unrighteous” in these verses above. Well, we know we are not made righteous by our works, and all our good deeds are as filthy rags to God, right? So, if you are saved, you are made righteous by the blood of Jesus. You may indeed continue to struggle with homosexual temptations (if you are convicted to stop), or perhaps you feel you can go on living that lifestyle by the grace of God.
One verse comes to mind here: Jude 1:4 “Some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. Not long ago they were condemned in writing for the following reason: They are people to whom God means nothing. They use God's kindness (grace) as an excuse for sexual freedom and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Well, sexual freedom might be defined as sleeping around with different partners, having sex with animals, and other sexual perversions, right? If you are a homosexual with one long-term love relationship, surely this can’t apply to you. On the contrary…
Does God Ignore Homosexuals?
In conclusion, I will now give you the Word of God, praying that “God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
Romans 1:26-32: “…God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, …that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” Do you see Gay Pride movements here?
We just read that "God gave them over to a depraved mind", right? Let's look at a couple more passages about those who have a "depraved mind":
1 Tim 6:5 "...men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth..."
2 Tim 3:8 "...so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith."
Based on these scriptures, homosexuality appears to be a preliminary JUDGMENT (turning these over to Satan) that, if not repented of, leads to eternal judgment. Where do I get the latter part of this statement from? Let's first read Jam 5:20: "let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Compare this to Rom 1:27 (speaking of homosexuality), "...committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." The word 'error' in both of these verses is the Greek word 'plane', which means 'delusion'.
Speaking of 'delusion', let's now read 2 Thes 2:11-12: "For this reason God will send upon them a deluding [plane] influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged [krithōsin - condemned] who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."
If homosexuals are said to be of a "depraved mind", "deprived of and opposed to the truth", and that "they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer", they cannot be homosexual and Christian. They are following a delusion unto condemnation!!
Let's not be as the church of Laodecia, 'lukewarm' (Rev 3:16), on this subject. God's Word is CLEAR. It is written in black and white. Homosexuality is not the 'unforgivable sin', but it must be repented of to be covered by the blood!!
May God bless the reading of His Word. If you are feeling the conviction of the Lord to be delivered from a sexual identity crisis, please know that 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” AMEN.
James Watkins - an Outstanding Hub
- The Homosexual Agenda
Christian teachings about sexuality are often ridiculed, while sexual deviancy is exalted. A sincere Christian wants his brothers and sisters redeemed from despair.
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einron, I surlely hope I didn't come off as personally judging or not being compassionate. As homosexuality comes out in the open, we might be shocked to see just how many people are enslaved to it, if that's even the right word. Thank you for reading and leaving a useful link for those who are struggling and seeking hope. God bless you.
People convince themselves that what they do is right. They justify in their minds, things God says one ought not to do. Any sex outside of marriage is sin. Satan loves to blur the lines of right and wrong until people are not really sure where to go. Boundaries of decency between people are strained and then broken. Men feeling they can have sex with men, women with women. Some guy wanted to marry some animal on the news not more than a month or two ago. You have the Man - Boy Love Association in the news just last night. People shake their heads and not knowing what to say just exclaim: "To each his own." Though it will be between God and them in the end, it still is up to us to hate the sin while loving the sinner. Jesus died for every one of them and He is able to deliver every one of them too. It is hard for me to look past some sin, but I do, trying to see the person needing Jesus there. Every one of those precious souls need us to tell them that what feels so good and right to them is not, and that they need the precious blood of Jesus. Love you sis.
Brother no body, I understand, from the news, that Harry Hay, the founder of the Man - Boy Love Association endorsed having sexual contact with 18-month-old babies! Do we, as Christians, just turn our heads and let people's depravity wax worse and worse? This hub is not for the godless, but for those who truly love the Lord and call themselves Christians. God gave us His Word, the Word we will be judged by. Some will say "Lord, Lord" and be cast away! He expects to create in us a clean heart and foster His nature and will within us. All of us are sinners, and we struggle each day. For those who have no conviction of sin, but say "each to his own" and "if it feels right, it is right", are grossly deceived. Jesus and we who are of Him need to reach out with the truth in love, for no one is guaranteed tomorrow. It is appointed unto man to die ONCE and after this comes judgement ~ by His Word. Amen.
This world will wax worse and worse the closer we get to the end. Nothing I see surprises me anymore. I have such a sickening feeling as I see my brothers and sisters turn the blind eye to it. If it does not directly effect them they seem to be indifferent. "What am I to do?" is what I hear some say. Can you imagine the disgusting evil when the Holy Spirit is taken up with us and Satan can have his way without any restraint? I shudder to think! Dear sister, continue to preach the word.
no body, Satan's desire is to set up his kingdom on earth. Adam and Eve gave the rulership God had given them over to Satan, making him the "god of this world". Satan's aim is to get as many of the population following him as possible, for they will then become and make up his kingdom. He knows he has a very short time and desires to rule supremely. He deceives himself, and is the "father of lies" and his children likewise, deceive themselves and are called the children of the devil. John 8:44 sums up what Jesus said, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." I am doing my part, as a child of God, to address this subject that so few will take on. No one likes to be hated, but I'm not out for my reputation with the world. I am doing the will of my Father, and will stand before Him one day ~ that day is coming soon for all of us! AMEN.
That is not my place to judge anyone, but the Bible states, when God created man, he took a rib from a man's side to created a woman, the bible did not state God have taken a rib from a man to make a man for Adam, or a woman for a woman, God took a rib from Adam to create a companion for Adam which was a woman and Adam named her Eve.
That is the foundation of God's making "Man" in His image, male and female He created them. If he had created a man for a man, or a woman for a woman, they would have been the only two people on earth forever...unless God continued to create more and more people from the dust of the ground. It was His will that we continue on creating ~ children for generations to come. Thank you for your comment, starbug! Love you, sister!
You handled this delicate subject matter very well. Very good hub!
Bless your heart, Godslittlechild ~ I so appreciate the encouragement. I really do want to get this message out clearly and yet compassionately. Love you so much :-)
Homosexuality is no more of a sin than is pornography (which my husband admits that he has a predisposition for) or turning to food for comfort instead of Our Great Creator,(this is one of my predispositions) but it is a SIN. If we recognize our sins, and submit to God. We can resist our personal devils and they will flee. As you said Christ came to set us free and that needs to be our message, not judgment.
Homosexuality or any other sin is SIN, yes. However, God is SPECIFIC about homosexuality as He is fornicators (sex when unmarried), idolaters, adulterers (sex outside of the covenant of marriage), effeminate (having feminine qualities untypical of a man : not manly in appearance or manner), thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers (use of abusive language), and swindlers, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers and immoral men, kidnappers and liars and perjurers ~ notice most of these are character traits; they are lifestyles representative of what is in the heart. All can be repented of...all have the same judgment as the Word says. However, homosexuals are the only ones whom "GOD TURNS OVER", according to Romans 1:26. It's not to be minimized as "just another sin" by what I read.
Our message is not to be judgment? That's what the majority of the homosexual community shouts. I'm not the Judge, but GOD IS. If you are a Christian and love anyone, you must tell them the truth. Sure, the Bible is there for them to read, but many do not. God told us to spread His Word for a reason. God loves and judges. The Bible is a message of love and warning. Love is not acceptance; it is deliverance and hope.
What is a Christian? Is there some definition that i could find out there that states that you cannot be gay and a Christian? Could i find it in the Bible? Just curious..To each his own interpretation right?
Lifes Joke, if one is a Christian, s/he believes the Bible, for it is all about Christ. I have the Bible scripture right here in this hub. Did you read it?
If you want to know what it is to become a Christian, I have a hub called "Come to JESUS: Salvation".
I just like to tell a little story. It is about people in my own group of friends (of course I won't tell their names). There is a girl, she is homosexual (I believe it is called lesbian in English). She has had multiple of girlfriends. She is a very nice girl and a good friend. Besides her we all are christian, she is interested too. There also is a guy in our group, he is some kind of 32 year old single. He has been single already for a whole while. What is the case. A view weeks ago she told me and some others in our group that, if this guy would ask her to marry her, she would say yes.
I believe it is good to be at least a true friend to our homosexual neighbours. Without putting any pressure on anything, homosexuality is not even a subject in the things we say, something changes. I think it is a great story.
Dutch Hermit, Thank you so much for stopping by to share. It appears she is responding to the love of Christ in your group of friends, and I've heard some people are simply influenced into homosexuality by association/peer relationships. Likewise, it is wonderful she is being drawn to the Lord and His love in your group of loving friends. It is said that actions speak louder than words. Even the Bible says an unbelieving husband might be saved without a word, simply by the behavior of his Christian wife (1 Peter 3:1). God bless you!
Thanks for the write-up. As usual, God has a way of bringing what you need when you need it. I recently found out that two of my friends are slaves to homosexuality. Both of which were raised in Christian homes. One has told their family and the other has not. Either way, I have been praying about what to say and how to say it as well as trying to get an opportunity to witness and find out what they are thinking with regard to their relationship with Christ. In essence to correct any misconceptions. To add to your post, the Bible says, that judgment will be worse for those today than those in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. I think because they know what happened in those days and that God hates homosexuality. I can only imagine it would be worse for those fallen Christians.
It's important, Impowelljr, to bravely share even this hub with them (that way it's not coming from YOU, but rather "an article"). Yes, the Lord says that any "home or town" that does not receive the Word will have it worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. WE SHARE THE WORD. FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD. BY GRACE WE ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH. JESUS SAVES. People have the choice to REJECT the Word and will indeed be judged by that WORD on the Last Day. They must REPENT, if it is even possible (for God turned them over, the Word says) while they still have TIME. We all are praying for the salvation of the lost! That is Jesus' purpose for us ~ to SOUL WIN. His WORD never returns to Him VOID. God has given you everyone in your circle of relationships for a reason...pray and share the truth in love ~ God is with you and will bless YOU for your obedience. Thank you so much for stopping by, sharing and we will all be sharing in the commission to do the same!
Judah's Daughter, your wisdom is apparent in this article. I believe God was guiding you. Christians are too give testimony on the Word of God. We are to tell the truth. We are to do it clear and concise, with as much love as possible. You did this. The truth at times is judgmental and that can not be helped but the sentence it easy, a simple repentant heart and God's Love is flowing! There is no pain and suffering, no chains, no prison. Only love found on the other side. Anyone who can read the Bible, God's Word, and still believe that Homosexuality is not a sin and that they can still consider themselves a SAVED Christian is very LOST. Any Clergy who thinks that is not a sin and they can be Clergy is also LOST. It is very sad. The WORD of GOD is unchangeable, yet so many continue to try, so that it meets their own needs, wants and desires.
AMEN, Kebennett1! We must STAND on the ROCK of TRUTH. There is no gray area here, regarding homosexuality. Clergy will be held even more accountable, but if they or anyone else call themselves a Christian while living this lifestyle have been "given over to it" as a judgment and are completely lost and doomed. THEY MUST BE TOLD. THEY MUST READ IT FOR THEMSELVES. THEY ARE DECEIVED. If there be any hope, it lies in the victory in the blood of the Lamb. There is still time ~ until they take their last breath, or Jesus comes. It is imminent, and God has called us to TELL THEM. HE WILL SAVE THEM. All we can do is TELL THEM. He will hold us accountable for turning our heads and allowing the lost to just go into damnation without concern!! We are to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us! God has called all who are saved to do this!! Obedience is better than sacrifice! Die to our own self-pride of not wanting to be unpopular, because believe me, we're going to be more and more unpopular as the world waxes worse in its corruption. We will die in our faith and keep sharing the truth until we take our last breath! Great is your reward ~ save souls!! I could go on and on ~~~ but God's Spirit has spoken through His Word. Loud and CLEAR. God bless you and be with us all.
Me too, I had to change the channel when Dr. Phil aired that show. Your hub are always very good and much appreciated. God bless you!
Judah's Daughter,
This hub was a breath of fresh air! Before reading it I came across a hub about connecting with succubbus, sexual demons, and I had to get off very quickly! I just couldn't believe how strong the person dealt with demons and treated it so commonplace, and spoke about how he enjoyed the time with this "sex demon" . But, what I liked about this hub, was that it was so informative! I was recently watching the Tyra Banks show with my sister (of course I'm not a fan of the show) but the topic was homosexuality and they were interviewing a young man who was delivered from homosexuality. It sparked controversy because someone in the audience recorded, from their phone, the "exorcism" as they called it, so Tyra invited the young man, the pastor and his wife, as well as a representive of a group endorsing gay pride to speak as well. And the audience were able to ask questions. The representive told Tyra she "very firmly" believe God made her gay, and I was floored because the Bible is so very specific about how the Lord made us. But the thing that I didn't appreciate in the show was Tyra was so obviously biased from the start because she has homosexual friends. And I also disliked the way all the homosexuals in the audience bashed the pastor and wife, and how nasty it eventually got. But it just made me realize how hostile the homosexual community is, but I just can't figure out why, because as Christains, we are only doing what GOD commissions us to do.
SpiderPam, Praise the Lord ~ I'm glad I'm not alone! I was floored and very disappointed!!!
eirraclou, Wow, that sounds like it was intended to be show of "balance", respecting both sides of the issue, but ended up leaning heavily to one side persecuting the believers. Of course, Tyra hosts the show, "America's Next Top Model" and a MAN is literally called "Miss so and so" and dresses like a woman (effeminate); the other is openly gay ~ no shame, as it is accepted in Holywood as a "norm", as is all kinds of sexual and sorcery sins (drug use).
Homosexuals that are not saved, of course, would feel hostile when one would say they will be judged for practicing such things. It's not that they will be...they ARE. Satan spews at God's truth, and homosexuality is NOT HOLY, so there is also NO HOLY MATRIMONY acceptable to make it more "right" or more of a "right" in God's eyes.
As I stated before, while Sodom and Gomorrah's LAW said it was OK and totally acceptable, God wiped them out!! All are subject to God, even those who don't believe He exists (as if that will justify their behavior), and those who claim to be Christian (followers of Christ) and practice such things are an abomination to the Lord, for He GAVE THEM OVER already. They have already been judged by God, yet because we are living in the age of grace, they still have a chance ~ the sun shines on the just and the unjust, but when the REAPER COMES, He will separate the wheat from the tares, bind up the wheat and put it into His storehouse (barn), and bind up the tares and cast them into the FIRE.
This is the truth. All who receive it, REPENT, and submit to the Lord's will will be saved. AMEN.
If anyone didn't see the Dr. Phil Show, let me say that he told a confused homosexual woman, who had invitro fertilization, and while pregnant, she started to desire a man, and dream of a husband and father for her child, Dr. Phil's advice to her was to wait until her hormones settled to be SURE she was straight before making such a decision! He then said it was quite alright to raise that child with two mothers, if she indeed felt she was drawn to a woman instead of a man to parent her child with her. There you go!!
I pray God I always remember even though there is wrong through sin in people (myself included, I'm far from perfect), no matter what the sin, we are to love their them and pray fervently for the salvation of their souls. Very good hub!
Amen, Godslittlechild! Loving them is telling them the truth and being right here to love them and stand with them, pray with them and go through it all WITH THEM. Because, THAT'S WHAT JESUS WOULD DO! Amen :-)
You said that God kills as in Sodom and Gomorrah. Problem is this gives license to any so-call Christian to go out and kill other Gays.
People are murdered every day with one hand on the Bible.
God needs to be better.
Hi-Jinks, Sin kills, for it is the wage of sin. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive." God's commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Kill", this includes abortion or any other murderous act. Christians do not kill (murder). Capital punishment is a penalty. War is necessary, as there is even war in heaven. You can righteously fight the good fight, or unrighteously and murderously kill. Satan is called "a murderer from the beginning", so God is not a murderer. God is giving gays the grace to repent until He comes again. That sin is one that leads to assured, eternal death. Repent and choose life, for Christ is the Savior.
Hello Judah's Daughter. First the compliment - this was a well written hub and I appreciate the courage you have to write on such a delicate and hurtful topic. I'm sure that courage comes from your deep rooted faith in our creator.
Now the disagreement. It never fails to amaze me that those who memorize the bible and can quote each verse verbatim, always take the text so literally (when it is convenient for them). I have plenty of family members that are guilty of this same thing and believe me we've debated this very subject and the matter of convenience at great length.
The bible states that if a child disobeys the parent the act is punishable by death. (I apologize that I cannot quote this exactly as written, but I'm sure you can help me out on this one). My point is everychild disobeys their parent, we do not take God's words literally on this one (if we did I don't think the human race would exist today). The bible also says "spare the rod, spoil the child" and "an eye for eye", yet again these words are only taken literally by a few individuals. We cannot beat our children, or sodomize the rapist. The times have changed and we no longer find such things morally right, something inside of us tells us these things are wrong. The bible says remember the Sabbath Day (Saturday), this is the day we are supposed to dedicate to God, yet for convenience God is worshipped on Sunday (if you take the bible literally this means most Christians are in trouble).
The bible says many things, but it seems Christians only take what they are uncomfortable with seriously. Homosexuality is one of those uncomfortable subjects, not only for Christians but many walks of people. I'll never forget my husband's initial view of homosexuals, basically he couldn't stand them. Raised in an extremely Christian and extremely judgemental home, he mistakenly believed (like so many Christians do) that homosexuality is a choice. It took many years and a little bit of science for me to convince him otherwise.
The science of homosexuality is simple, men who have the tendency to be more feminine and have homosexual desires have much higher amounts of estrogen in their body than do masculine straight men. With gay women, it is a higher level of testosterone. As I explained to my husband, a straight person knows that they are straight when the hormones start becoming active. It is never a choice for us, we just look at the opposite sex and feel the attraction. Unfortunately, for a gay male or female, when their hormones take effect they feel the attraction for the same sex and Lord knows it's not their fault. No one would choose to be discriminated against be the world or by God. If God wants to punish homosexuals then perhaps God should stop making them, afterall he has had thousands of year to get the chemical makeup of a human being correct. I personally believe that God is good and loves us all just the way He made us, as long as we try to love one another.
When I was a teenager I was bullied on a day to day basis. I just never fit in. Then I met a wonderful boy who accepted me. He was kind and polite and showed love to everyone he met. He was gay. Never had I meant another person so full of life, love and laughter. He brought joy to my world and to many others. I am sure to this day he is out there bringing happiness along with him. If he is not a symbol of the love God intended, then I don't know what is.
Anyhow, I think I've made my stance on this subject. Thank you for writing it. God Bless you.
Max, I really appreciate your views. Because the Bible states that the homexual lifestyle is God "giving them over to degrading passions and a depraved (reprobate) mind", it is not a choice, but a judgment.
The scriptures you quoted about children and sin being punishable by death are from the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, the Law of Moses, the "Law of sin and death". Jesus paid our death sentence. We are to repent (stop living in such a way), in order to die to the flesh and live to the Spirit.
Regarding the Sabbath Day being Saturday, the Apostle Paul released that "Law of which Day" in Romans 14:5 "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Under the Law of Christ, we are no longer bound to the Law of Moses.
This is why this hub does not address Old Testament scriptures regarding homosexuality, but New Testament (New Covenant) scriptures, to show that this indeed is a very living Law of God for this day and until He comes again.
I am confused. . .you agree that homosexuality is not a choice, but state this is a judgement? So a child grows up (innocent of sin), reaches 10 years old and starts to have desires to which he/she has no choice over because God gave them over to degrading passions and a depraved mind! Why did God give that child over and not me or you?
Of the Sabbath and no longer being bound to the Law of Moses, I have an extremely lengthy response to this which I think might be my next topic. I never really thought to write on religion, but your well written hubs have convinced me that it's something to think about. By the way I am not being sarcastic here, I really enjoy the hubs of yours that I have read so far. You are well spoken, knowledgable about the bible and your views are interesting.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Keep on writing!!
Max Sumer, some things are not explained fully in the Word, for God's ways are not our ways. I will only answer from my perspective, having read and studied thus far. First of all, I don't believe people are "born" homosexuals, but because of their hearts' choices, they are "given over" to it.
I believe that, for a teen-ager, many factors are to be taken into consideration: peer pressure and environmental issues (i.e. relationship with father/mother). If they haven't been raised with God's Word, they may be more likely to entertain such temptations and thoughts and even act on them. Children must be trained up in the way they should go, and teaching them God's Word, as well as right and wrong, must begin at a young age. This is why parents are fuming that public schools are teaching children about homosexuality, for it only causes them to entertain the idea, if not accept it, or consider it an acceptable option.
There are reasons which preface "God giving them over" in the same passage of Romans 1:17-25 (the passage in the hub begins in verse 26). I will share these verses here, and I apologize for the length, but it's important readers understand (though it is best for each to pick up a Bible to see for themselves):
17. For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SALL LIVE BY FAITH."
18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteouness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19. because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through waht has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22. Professing to be wise, they became as fools,
23. and exhcanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.
25. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Verses 26-32 are stated in the hub, yet the "..." above confirms more about these reasons, in verses 29-32 here:
29. being filled with all unrighteouness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
In verse 18, we see they suppress the truth.
In verse 19, God made Himself evident to them, so that
In verse 20, they are without excuse.
In verse 21, they didn't honor God.
In verses 22-23 they've chosen a corruptible, created man or animal to be thier "god" or lust of the heart.
In verses 24-25, God gave them over to the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies
In verse 26, they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, again choosing to worship and serve the creature (that would be man or woman or beast).
In verses 29-32, we see they are disobedient to parents, and though they understand God's ordinance (rule) and that it is punishable by death, they still practice this sexual perversion and give hearty approval to those who do the same.
The heart is what it's all about. God knows the hearts of men and women. While some homosexuals are the nicest people you'd ever meet, so are cult members. We are not the Judge of righteousness, for righteousness is of the heart, which then becomes evident through behavior.
I don't have all the answers, Max, but we must go on what we do know, by what is written. May God bless the reading of His Word.
I do appreciate your readership, and I don't take lightly anything that I write in my hubs, for I know I am accountable to the LORD. God bless you.
Wow the power of truth will always offend some. The bible says that homosexuality is an abomination. Very clear, no beating around the bush there. God made no homosexuals, it is a choice. Bad childhood, no father-figure, ok. God was ALWAYS with you, what better Father to have. So because someone has a dysfunctional family it is ok for them to be homosexual, does that also apply to child abusers because most of them were not treated well as children also. There is a cycle and a CHOICE!! Choose God and all your pain will be comforted, God is the BEST person to curl up with and have a heart to heart and he will right all your wrongs.
Powerful contribution Tammy Bruner! The Bible is VERY CLEAR. Every criminal or those who commit abominations has an "excuse", but not in God's book! Our Creator, our Father has indeed been with us since we were even formed in our mother's womb (Ps 91). Hey, I was raised in foster homes, suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse...should I become a homosexual or a murderer or a child molestor? Do I have any excuse? Jesus sets us free and we need to submit to His truth, and embrace Him as our Savior and Lord, whereby we will then cry out, "Abba!" (Daddy!) AMEN!!!
Hey sis! Long time no hear! lol, I have missed you! I STAND WITH YOU! My teaching to my clients is JESUS CAN DO ALL THINGS!! He can heal anyone! No excuse! The mind needs to be renewed and repentance needs to take place!! Many homosexuals get offended and shout out, JESUS LOVES ME! I tell them YES HE DO! But not your sin or any other sin that is committed. And some of these churches are giving in and promoting this sin just to save face and get there tithes! Yes tithes! The TRUTH has been revealed in this Hub! Blessings always my friend and sister IN CHRIST!!! Stay ON FIRE FOR HIM!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU GOT IT, drpastorcarlotta!!! Oh, the accountability of these church leaders that are turning their heads, even allowing homosexual pastors to oversee God's house. If this is their motive ~ the tithe?! Oh!! Not surprising. Even tithing is enforced as a "commandment", which is not scriptural!! I have a hub called "Tithing, Giving and Alms" for anyone who wants a sound teaching on this subject. BEWARE of WOLVES in SHEEP'S CLOTHING!!! You worry about ROBBING GOD?! Don't BE ROBBED!! God will lead us where to give and will bless the offering, no doubt; but there is NO BONDAGE in this area under the New Covenant!! I could go on and on ~~ better quit before I start preaching!!
I love you, sister ~ I so appreciate that you also are boldly speaking the truth ~ not to HATE, but to DELIVER from EVIL!!! Our God is MIGHTY TO SAVE!! You shall KNOW the Truth and the Truth shall set you FREE!!! No BONDAGE, IN JESUS' HOLY NAME!!! Amen!!
Hello Judah's Daughter. I read your hub and it was very interesting to say the least. I was not offended by your hub but it just confirmed what is happening in this world with people who say that they do not judge but turn around and judge homosexuals. Not all homosexuals had bad childhoods or were mistreated. I have a son that is 28 years old and a very devoute christian. There are plenty of sins in the bible that we have all committed and have been forgiven for. Remember when Jesus died for our sins, well that goes for EVERYBODY! Therefore whatever sin my son was guilty of has been forgiven and he doesn't have to apologize anymore. It is ignorant thinking such as yours that keeps the circle of hatred going for homosexuals who do not have a choice of their sexual preference as you don't have a choice. If God condemns my son to hell for being a homosexual, a homosexual mind you with a heart of gold and gentle soul then I do not want to have anything to do with God. But I know this not to be true. God bless you.
ladyjane1, AM I the Judge or is I AM the Judge? Forgiveness comes with repentance. It is not carte blanche. Do you love your family more than God? Sounds like you would choose your family over God's Word, Jesus Christ, the Word that will judge us on the last day. Luke 14:26 tells us, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate [love less] his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." So, I don't take your offense personally; I'm just here to share God's Word ~ embrace it or reject it; this is your choice. May God's grace be with you.
Judah’s Daughter, Powerful hub! I stand in agreement with you here sister! This is a stronghold ! Speaking the Truth in love it is an abomination to the Lord! God Our Creator and Maker is clear on this issue! There is no gray area! You have given excellent Scripture references to substantiate the TRUTH of this matter. I agree “If you are Christian, you really need to ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of what is right in the eyes of the God of the Bible.” This is my prayer as well!
I have counseled with those who are here! There is much pain and torment when one decides that your sexual fulfillment takes precedence over what God says…. The hurt that is left on spouses who turn to a same sex relationship is devastating…. I must say that it is sad I know firsthand many in the ministry who go the way of homosexuality it is a so sad. The devil is such a deceiver…! You cannot hide this behind the cross! We must continue to stand firmly on the WORD of GOD! You have done an excellent Job here! It is TRUTH that sets us FREE! Lies will keep you in bondage! It is a “seducing spirit” that is in operating not GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT! On can be delivered if they sincerely REPENT! GOD is ABLE! Thank you for sharing this POWERFUL message! In His Love! PEACE & Blessings! Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” AMEN.
Bless your heart, sister DeBorrah! The body of Christ does stand in agreement, because we stand on His Word ~ His very lifeline to our souls! How much more fleshly can one be than to identify him/herself by sexual orientation? We have only one identity, and it is spiritual. We either identify with and in Christ or His Adversary. Those in Christ must walk in the truth, or they are none of His. We are to teach the truth in love; God is willing to deliver all who trust Him from the flesh, and enable them to walk in the Spirit; praise God! I so appreciate your confirmation of truth and that we share in the love of those suffering, to encourage them in the Lord, Who is the Truth. AMEN!!
This is one of the most powerful hubs I have yet to read and I stand in agreement with you. Everything you said was truthful and with tact. You do understand how homosexuals are feeling, you lovingly told them the truth of God's Word. I am proud of you Judah's Daughter, Dr. Phil is confuse and he is fighting prayer.
I was thinking this morning, sister Royal Diadem, "Why did I even write this hub?" Ahh ~ our Lord calls us to address certain topics and we obey, amen? We don't speak of our own opinion, but the Lord's Word. I'm currently doing a study on "judgment", "judging", etc. and we truly are to proclaim the Word of God, for it is this Word by which all will be held accountable. 2 Tim 4:2 "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." It's not pleasant to proclaim the Word, but it is a must for anyone who is called by His Name. God bless you and thank you for your words of encouragement.
Since Jesus was a Jew, and observed all Jewish Sabbaths, why should Christians not do likewise? Also Jesus said he did not come to change the law, meaning the law given through Moses, but to fullfill it. Yet many people have decided he changed it anyway, even though he specifically said he didn't. Not to mention preverting certain commands, like observing Passover, (which Jesus said to do in rememberance of him), has been subsituted with a preverted form of "goddess" worship, and carries on each year in the form of Easter. The list goes on and on with what is protrayed as the truth, and Christian worship. True Christain worship has to begin with the Jewish worship practiced by Jesus and all his deciples. If Jesus had not been observing Passover, he would not have been in the right place at the right time to fullfill scripture as a sacrifice for all our sins. The first Christian Pentecost happened at the exact same time as the traditional Jewish Feast of Pentecost. That's why Jesus instructed his followers to remain after Passover for 50 days to recieve what proved to be The Holy Spirit. Pentecost is always 50 days after Passover. The God of Abraham, Issack, and Jacob, says, "I do not change", why would he change his Sabbaths? Do you celebrate Christmas, calling it Jesus' birthday? If so please give me just one scripture giving the date of the holy birth.
Max Summer is right about the Sabbath.
Hi Cathi Sutton, your views on the keeping of the seventh day Sabbath, etc. are not new to the Christian world, even in Paul's day. I hold to my response to Max Summer and add Paul's words in Romans 14:5 "One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind."
For more on the Covenants (Old and New), I invite you to read another of my hubs: http://hubpages.com/_ui1xcnn62gpk/hub/The-END-of-t
Blessings to you :-)
I know a strong brother in the Lord who says it this way: "There is nothing gay about being hoomosexual. Gay mean's to be happy and light hearted. The average homosexual dies at an earlier age. There is nothing gay about that. There is no such thing as a gay lifestyle, because they die earlier; they should call it a 'death-style. Homosexuality is not a life style, it is a misery, but Jesus came so that they may have life and have it more abundandtly."
As christians we are to love everyone, whether they are homosexual, bi sexual, heterosexual, pedofile, etc., etc., or not. Loving someone does not mean agreeing with them, but Jesus died for them too, if they have not a witness that they may hear and repent, how will they ever know?
Also - something interesting, I looked up 1Corin.6:9 in my bible and noticed something a little different in the verse. While most of the verse is much the same, the end of the verse does not specifically say, homosexuals, it says "abusers of themselves with mankind."
While I agree the definition includes homosexuals it also occured to me that it can include a lot of other potentially sinful practices too, like tattoos, body piercings, hanging from your skin with hooks, knuckle-lumps placed under the skin, strippers, drug users, pot smokers, the inference can cover a LOT of ground in regards to self abuse.
I found it to be a real eye opener and just had to share. I guess it makes sense, if your body is supposed to be a temple of the Lord, why would you abuse it in such ways.
Good hub sis.
- Harlan
Thanks for sharing, Harlan. I looked up the various versions of 1 Cor 6:9 as study of the Greek wording is often needed when it comes to the KJV to know what it actually means. Based on inductive study other versions have made it more clear as to what "abusers of themselves with mankind" means ~ here's the link to all the versions of this verse: http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/6-9.htm
Yet, what you say is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thanks again, brother! God bless.
I agree that there is no way around the fact that the Bible says that homosexuality is wrong. However, when you look at the big picture as to why we call ourselves "Christians" it is because we have experienced the love of our savior, Jesus Christ. Our sole purpose is to spread the word of Jesus so that others may be saved. Telling homosexuals that what they do is completely wrong will not save them. They become defensive and completely shut down the idea of being a christian. In order to have them follow Christ as we do we must act like Christ. Christ did not start out by laying out a huge list of "Thou shalt nots". He lived his life pure, and full of love. Others were drawn to Christ through his divine nature.
Homosexuals have a negative image of "Christians" because of the conservatives who are completely unaccepting of gays. These Christians who have hurt homosexuals should not be defining us as a whole. We are supossed to be Christ-like.
In order to save the homosexuals from their impurity we must draw them near to us. We must show them the love that Jesus shows every one of us. Throwing verses out at them will only drive them away from salvation.
This was a jumble of paragraphs, but I hope you get my point :)
AllyBurns30, While I understand where you're coming from I have to say that when God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a command (to save their life, by the way). He gave Moses the 10 Commandments, and the Law of Moses came through him as the first Mediator. Jesus kept the Law perfectly while He lived and fulfilled God's Word to the death.
The New Covenant tells us what is acceptable to God (how to be Christ-like) and what is not (danger of anathema). Love does not just incorporate the warm fuzzies and tolerance to someone's potential destruction. It's telling them and warning them of what gives life and what leads to death, according to God's Word.
In this day and age, which will become as it was in the day of Lot, there is not only a tip-toeing around this subject, but such tolerance that gays are becoming ministers of the Word and gays are married by those ordained ministers. There is no conviction that it is an abomination in God's eyes. Do you want to stand before God and say, "I loved them like You told me to, but I didn't want them to feel judged, so I didn't dare tell them"? Do you know what it means to "solemnly testify"? I have a hub called "Can I Get A Witness" that explains what this means.
I also have a hub called "Hated on Account of My Name" that tells us about love, what it means. God's love (agape) is a demonstrative love, as shown in Rom 5:8 "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While we are to demonstrate His love to the world as He did, we are not to love [phileo - of the heart] the world's ways ~ to be a friend to the world. God loves, yes; but, He also hates abomination (Lev 18:22) and is the righteous Judge. Jesus said the Word He spoke will judge those who reject His Word on the last day (John 12:48).
If through demonstration of God's love (which includes telling them the truth), a homosexual might repent before he/she dies, we have saved a soul from death (James 5:20). That, my friend, is what God would have us do, in order to be truly Christ-like. Blessings.
Ally and JD,
Of course homosexuals cannot be accepted as Christian ministers. Ally makes a good point about presenting God's love and the Gospel. While Christians should not condone homosexual acts, we should leave to the Holy Spirit the work of bringing conviction. If any person, homosexual or otherwise comes to faith in Christ, God will speak to his heart and mind, revealing behavior changes that He will also help bring about.
Well said, John. I've just spent the day studying God's agape love and how, unless we love God we can't possibly love others with that love. He is the truth, and loving someone genuinely is to demonstrate His love two-fold: by sharing that God died for all of us while we were yet sinners, yet did so because He is just and holy. He's given us the gift of redemption ~ reconcilation ~ renewed minds and lives, if we'll just accept it. The God who loves us will also judge us. Without this gift, we would ALL be condemned. We have an Advocate in the blood of Christ! God bless you.
Carrie,
Found it!,Yes!, indeed you and I think the same,weird right?, I haven't met one as of yet til I met you...You go in the Bible and take out scriptures,I dont, I talk in parables to people with out even reading the Bible,but I did that all my life,even people tell me that why do you always talk in parables?,,they'll say whats that mean all the time,WOW,God brought us together for a reason,I truley believe that...I know in my heart Carrie without the Bible,and you know what scriptures are just right to say...WOW
You have quite a testimony, Bella. It goes to show that those who KNOW the LORD, truly, will have His Word written in their hearts! He will reveal; He will speak through you; He will live through you! If my studies will help to confirm what He's put in your heart to the strengthening and reassurance of that great faith, I praise Him forevermore! I love you so much, sister!!!
I have had a lot of experience with homosexuals. I am talking verbal exchanges here, not the exchange of bodily fluids.
I definitely DO NOT AGREE with the statement made by Max Sumer that “The science of homosexuality is simple, men who have the tendency to be more feminine and have homosexual desires have much higher amounts of estrogen in their body than do masculine straight men. With gay women, it is a higher level of testosterone.”
I definitely DO AGREE with this statement you made, Judah’s Daughter, that ‘First of all, I don't believe people are "born" homosexuals, but because of their hearts' choices, they are "given over" to it.’
I will agree that homosexuality does likely have some genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. But ultimately, it is a CHOICE.
If this estrogen/testosterone argument is valid, then I guess some men can’t help cheating on their wives because they have elevated levels of testosterone that make it impossible for their wives to satisfy them completely. Wilt Chamberlain had sex with 20,000 women because he had such a high testosterone level. Tiger Woods cheated on his wife with all those bimbos because of testosterone. And Bill Clinton had sex in the White House because of testosterone.
The most effeminate man I ever met, Dennis, is a high school classmate. He is pretty like a girl. You put a wig and lipstick on him and a couple of oranges under his shirt, and nobody would think he wasn’t a girl. A soft girlish voice too. So Dennis is a priest, pastor of a large Catholic church that also has a school. There is so much scrutiny on Catholic priests these days because of the abuse scandals, any inkling of deviant behavior on the part of a priest is likely to at least be the subject of rumors. I know quite a few people who belong to his parish, and I have never heard any rumors of the sort. I do not believe that Dennis is homosexual. I do believe that it is probable that he has a higher level of estrogen than normal. I also believe that Dennis made a CHOICE to not engage in homosexual behavior, or heterosexual behavior for that matter.
Then there was Ken. He wanted to make me his Barbie. Now Ken was the Rock Hudson type. Tall, dark, and handsome, and no effeminate qualities. I don’t think Ken suffered from estrogen overload. Ken made the CHOICE to engage in homosexual behavior. He repeatedly hit on me. I know how women feel. So at this party I’m with a date (female) and he has two dates (male), but he still is after me. I made the mistake of asking, “What can you do for me that she can’t?” He told me. Finally I told him to knock it off or I would beat the hell out of him. Spiritually speaking, of course. One of Ken’s boyfriends was an older guy, a widower, with two children I knew. So they had a relationship for a couple years, and then this guy gets married again to a woman. This guy (His name escapes me at the moment, but I remember that his daughter’s name is Gail because she was totally hot) was not effeminate in any way. He made a CHOICE to engage in homosexual behavior, but good for him he got married again.
Then there was Neal. He and I worked at the same company during a summer break from college. At lunch Neal would go off at lunch and read the Bible under a tree. Rumor had it he wanted to be a minister. Several years later, after college we both end up working for another company. He and I were interested in the same woman, but she picked me. Hey, maybe I am responsible for his homosexuality. He dated women at work for the next couple years, and then he apparently fell in love with a man and made him his life partner. Neal made a CHOICE, and it’s not like he wasn’t familiar with the Word. Neal didn’t have any effeminate characteristics.
Then there is my next Pastor Bob story entitled “How Uncle Jeff Became Aunt Vicky.” I’ll get around to that one sooner or later.
You know, BLACKANDGOLDJACK, you bring up a very pertinent point, regarding Dennis. See, I'm going to speak my mind here, knowing those who KNOW the truth will understand it. See, God created husband (Adam) and wife (Eve) to rule TOGETHER, equally yoked in submission to Christ. This is how it is to be when we are IN CHRIST. It was the SIN that provoked God to curse the wife with "your husband shall rule over thee" (Gen 3:16). Male and female are terms used for gender and really nothing more. It is the cultural twisting of the curse and the 'silence and submission' of wives (some think all females are to be submissive to males) that create the world's view of male and female. So, if a male has what the world deems as 'feminine attributes', he is teased, called a 'girl' and feels confused. Likewise, a female with what the world deems as 'male attributes' is teased, called a 'Tom-boy' and may feel confused. This world is partially to blame for the shaping of homosexual relationships.
The only thing God created that appears to not have had a 'choice' is the Dragon, the Serpent of Old, the Devil and Satan (the same being), for the Word states all things were created by God; there were no other gods created before or after our eternal God (who was not created), and Satan was a 'murderer from the beginning' (John 8:44). He certainly was created for God's purpose and I have a hub on that subject called "Satan's Purpose". Adam and Eve were created to make choices. They could choose the names of all the animals, etc. Every man chooses his wife and yet the wife-to-be has the choice to say YES or NO. Likewise, our Bridegroom proposes to the 'world' every minute of every day, and those who don't want to accept the betrothal can simply say, "NO"...and they do!
We can get into whether even Pharaoh had a choice when it comes to passages that claim 'God hardened his heart'. Being as knowledgable as you are in the scriptures, that English translation is incorrect. It means 'God allowed Pharaoh's heart to harden'. Why? BECAUSE PHARAOH HAD ENSLAVED AND KILLED GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE FOR 400 YEARS. It was TIME for earthly judgment! Likewise, God's Spirit will not strive [ya·do·vn - plead] with man forever...there comes a point when God lets go and there is no more grace to 'woo' the 'world'. He gives them their own will/choice and the divine judgment that ensues.
This is the condition of the 'world', which Jesus said is CONDEMNED ALREADY (John 3:18). ALL are ALREADY CONDEMNED, and He came into the world to save all those who would choose to follow Him! Some, like Judas, go along and eat, sleep and walk the walk, even talk the talk, but in the end are not lovers of God, but lovers of money, lovers of self.
See, I've come to the scriptural conclusion that man must choose between Light and dark. He is given this gift to choose by the LORD God, his Creator. Man does NOT, however, have the ability NOT to choose. Look at Rom 6:16: "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?" There you go.
Exhale......those are my subjective thoughts on the matter, brother :-) Praise the LORD Most High.
I cleared my schedule so I could tune into "in the beginning" er I mean "in the big inning." You know, baseball. Four games today. So I'm surfing waiting for the first game to start.
And I stumble upon "Pageant" on Sundance. Five men compete in the Miss Gay America Pageant.
Oh my God.
Galations 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
These dudes keep talking about makeup and dresses and stuff. I wish they would talk a little bit about their eternal destiny.
Well, I better get back to baseball. Men in uniform totally turn me on.
Hi BLACKANDGOLDJACK! 2 Pet 2:7 comes to mind, in that like Lot, believers in these last days will become more and more vexed in spirit "by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men". It is so prophesied by our LORD Jesus in Luke 17:28-29 "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business--eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building--but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all." The LORD is pleading for them to REPENT, for the time is short; amen.
If you want to read up more about the raining of 'fire and brimstone from heaven', I really discovered some profund things, published in my hub "The Location of HELL" (not for everybody, I'm sure)...http://judahsdaughter.hubpages.com/_ui1xcnn62gpk/h
einron Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
Judah's Daughter,
Many are crying out for help and there is help out there.
For those who wish to seek help:
Sodom Revived: Gay Pride Parade
http://hubpages.com/hub/sodomrevivedgayprideparade
May the Lord have mercy on those who cry for help and may we be merciful, too.
God bless.