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Homosexuality And The Result Of Condoning Sin

By Paul Smithson

Our society is becoming more and more insensitive toward sin. One example of this is the public’s increasing acceptance of our nation’s estimated 9 million homosexuals (that’s about 3.5 percent of the U.S. adult population). Public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent years. The first Gallup poll on the subject showed only a 27 percent approval for same-sex marriage in 1996. Gallup’s most recent poll, taken last month, showed 60 percent approval. The result of this shift can be seen in the June 26, 2015 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision which makes marriage for same-sex couples legal nationwide, declaring that refusing to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples violates the Constitution. Even though 96.5 percent of our population is not homosexual, there are grave results due to the insensitivity and acceptance of sin by the majority.

Homo Sin
Today, for many, homosexuality is no longer considered something that is shameful and hidden from the public. All kinds of prominent citizens, from politicians to athletes, have openly declared their homosexuality and publicly defend the practice. The news media constantly mentions homosexuality, never condemning it, only tolerating and accepting it, speaking of “sexual preference” and “alternate lifestyles.” And Hollywood glamorizes the “gay” lifestyle and mocks God and His word.  Even several denominations have now accepted homosexual memberships and have church leaders who are gay.
If all these facts are alarming to you, they should be; for they plainly show the rapid moral decline of the nation in which we live. It should impress us with the overwhelming need our country has to hear the truth concerning the sin of homosexuality.

The sin of homosexuality is condemned throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament God said “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination…If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act” (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). The city of Sodom, a place that God destroyed with fire and brimstone, was said to have contained men who were “wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord” (Gen. 13:13). In Genesis 19 we find that their wickedness involved the sin of homosexuality.
Homosexuality is also condemned in the New Testament. The apostle wrote, “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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1Cor. 6:-10). There are many other passages that condemn any type of sexual immorality which includes homosexuality (see, Eph. 5:1-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-6; Rev. 21:8).

 
The Bible not only makes it very plain that homosexuality is condemned by God, but also teaches that those who tolerate and condone such sin also stand condemned before Him. In Romans chapter 1 the inspired writer spoke of those whom God gave up to vile passions stating, “women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” He then condemns those “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:26-32).

 
We must be concerned for the souls of those involved in homosexuality, as we should be concerned for the souls of any who are in sin (1Tim. 2:4). Those who practice homosexuality need and can receive forgiveness. But as with all sin, forgiveness must be preceded by repentance (1Cor. 6:9-11, Lk. 13:3). Thus, we must know and teach the truth concerning the sin of homosexuality (2Tim. 4:2). It must be taught with the proper attitude (Eph. 4:15), but it must be taught and not compromised.

 
Let it be known in our society that homosexuality is sinful, that those practicing or condoning it might repent and turn unto God. And may we pray that the direction of our nation be turned around if possible. For, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

About the Author
Paul Smithson is the evangelist for the Westwood church of Christ in Tullahoma, TN