Welcome to the
Pioneer and Bell Church of Christ

Is Homosexuality Really Okay in God's Sight?

Today's society is driven by feelings over an objective criterion, as it is how one feels that governs how one tends to live. For example, most of us have heard of a person discussing what his or her options are on a matter, and the choice on how to respond is, "I just do not feel like doing that" or "that is not what I want to do." On the basis of those feelings, ones choice is based on desires, not rational discernment. I know of one person having health problems, but rather than go to the doctor and address what was happening, his response was to ignore them, that is, until they became so bad, they could not be ignored. When he was forced to deal with them, something that could have been taken care of earlier could not any longer, and death soon ensued. So much of the time, feelings are shaped by forces that do not have one's best interest at heart.

When it comes to the will of God, who gets to decide how God thinks, or whether what He has said is right or wrong? It is foolishness for humans, who are finite beings, to believe they can dictate terms to the Creator God, who is infinite in wisdom and understanding (Palms 147:5; Romans 11:33; 1 Cor 1:25). The Bible, Scripture, is the word of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), and it alone is authoritative as to the will of God. Paul raised the question, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" (Romans 9:20). Who God is, and what He has commanded, is not dependent on how people think, on what people believe, or how people want to live. Society is subject to change, and is held captive by the influence of Satan and sin (1 John 5:19). Christians are not to be conformed to the world's pattern, but transformed by God renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). Scripture, then, is God's authoritative, revealed will to us of who He is, what He as our Creator desires of our lives, and how to live for eternity.

What, then, does God say about homosexuality? In the pages of the Old Testament, it is strictly prohibited and condemned (Lev 18:22; 20:13). Those who practiced such were judged by God (Genesis 18:20; 19:4-7). In the pages of the New Testament, homosexuality is also condemned. In Romans 1:26-27, Paul identifies such a mindset, and the activities that come from it, as depraved, or reprobate. It falls under the same category as other sinful acts that places one under God's judgment (Romans 1:32). In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, homosexuality is identified as one of several sins that keeps one from inheriting the kingdom of God. He then mentions that some in Corinth had practiced such ("such were some of you"), indicating activity in the past but not the present. Some had done such, but now were living for Christ, to please Him instead of the gratification of sensual desires based in sin. This is reiterated by Paul later to Timothy, when he tells him homosexuality (whoremongering) is contrary to sound doctrine. ( 1 Tim 1:10).

To this we can add what Jesus said regarding the practice of fornication, sexual immorality, as an exception of God's will for marriage to be lifelong (Matt 19:9). Fornication comes from the Greek term porneia, which refers to any sexual sin, including homosexuality which is condemned by the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Earlier in this chapter Jesus defined marriage as being between a man and woman, male and female, not man to man or woman to woman (Matt 19:9). In the book of Revelation, John is told by Jesus that those who practice homosexuality (whoremongering) are outside of eternal life (Rev 21:8; 22:15).

The testimony of Scripture, God's inspired word, is clear concerning how God regards homosexuality. No matter what society may say, or what an individual may decide is acceptable or not, God's word stands true. For eternity's sake, may we all recognize the authority of God our Creator regarding our lives, and live for what lasts forever.

 Robert Johnson, Longview, TX