ALL OF US HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF GOD'S GLORY

The most beautiful words ever to fall on human ears are the words Jesus  spoke to the woman caught in adultery:

Jesus  holding hand of a woman who has been cast down (John 8)“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  (John 8:11

Scripture clearly states: “The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.”  (John 5:22)  The Son who is the judge, does not condemn anyone because while the Father and the Son hate sin, They love the sinner.  Unfortunately, many who take the name “Christian,” those who claim to be living a “Christ-like” life, too often do not follow the example set forth by Jessus. They condemn and judge others whose sins differ from their own, supposedly lesser sins.  Perhaps nowhere else is this sad truth demonstrated so clearly as in the subject of homosexuality.  Homosexuality is defined as the act of sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex.  Scripture is abundantly clear that engaging in a homosexual act is a sin and an abomination:

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman.  It is an abomination.”  (Leviticus 18:22

“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.”  (Leviticus 20:13

“And there were also sodomites in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.”  (1 Kings 14:24
pointing man holding Bible

Sadly, many who take the name “Christian,” those who claim to be living a “Christ-like” life, too often do not follow the example set forth by Jesus. They condemn and judge others whose sins differ from their own, supposedly lesser sins.

It is natural to the fallen human heart to judge others, while overlooking one’s own failings.  Thus, many who are not homosexual use Scripture as an axe to attack those they look down on – overlooking the many other areas in their own lives which the law also condemns.

“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.”  (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10

Homosexuality is a sin.  It is a sin just like fornication, pride, selfishness, alcoholism, theft and any other sin that could be listed.  As a loving Father, God hates the sin because of what it does to His beloved child.  But as a loving Father, God still loves the sinner.  God has given His laws so that the minds of fallen humanity may be enlightened to understand how to find lasting happiness and contentment, as well as what actions to shun as the cause of pain and suffering.

“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobrfirnt, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for whoremongers, for them that defile theselves with mankind , for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.”  (1 Timothy 1:8-11

No sinner, regardless of what the precise sin is, shall enter Heaven.  All who would be saved must be purified and cleansed even as Jesus is pure and clean.  Homosexuality, as with all other sin, must be surrendered to Jesus if one would inherit eternal life.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness . . . Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves . . . For this cause God gave them up to vile affections.  For even their women did not change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for towards another, men with men, working that what is unseemly that recompence  of their error which was meet.”  (Romans 1:18, 24, 26-27

Within the corrupt societies of the West, homosexuality is becoming more and more common.  Some governments are even broadening the definition of marriage to allow for homosexual relationships.  Homosexuality has existed from ancient times.  Less than 400 years after the flood, the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were renowned for their predilection to homosexuality, with the term “Sodomite” coming down through time as a term for a male homosexual.  In Muslim countries, homosexual sex is a crime that is still punishable by death.  However, there has been a rise in recent years across all countries in homosexuality.    Gender confusion has even been reported among grade school children who weep that they were “born in the wrong body.”

The causes of homosexuality are varied.  While a few may choose it as an “alternate lifestyle,” far more become homosexual due to sexual abuse suffered in childhood and still more are simply born with those tendencies.  Recent studies have shown the shocking fact that there are very high levels of the female hormone, estrogen in the rivers of North America.  Furthermore, because most canned goods are lined with Bisphenal A, even more female hormones are released into the food consumed by multitudes.  Most plastic containers and water bottles also contain this highly contaminating ingredient, contributing still more to the levels of estrogen entering the population.

Saviour extending hand. God does not judge and Jesus does not condemn.  No one should take upon himself or herself the work of judging and condemning which even the Father and the Son do not do.  Christ’s admonishment is:

“Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

"Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck out of your eye’; and look a plank is in your own eye?

"Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7:1-5

God does not find fault with anyone for being homosexual.  The Bible’s references to homosexuality as sin always focus on the behavior, not the condition.  Being born homosexual, or having too much of the wrong kind of hormones for your gender because of environmental influences, is not condemned in Heaven’s sight.  It is merely the result of living in a sinful world.  However, as with any other sin, it does not give license to actively engage in that sin.  The Bible definition of marriage is clear: it is to be between one man and one woman.

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”  (Ephesians 5:31, KJV)

This is God’s standard for marriage and it is the standard to which all who love the divine law should submit.  The fulfillment and companionship all look for in a life-mate can only be found in God.  Homosexual men and women, like their straight counterparts who are unmarried, should choose to remain celibate, trusting God to provide for their emotional and sexual fulfillment.  (Please take time to read The Single Life: The Secrets of Fulfillment.)  

When asked about marriage and divorce, God explained that those who choose to live celibate lives can bring just as much glory to God, and live in His will, as those who marry.

“Jesus said to them, ‘All men cannot accept this saying, save  they to whom it has been given: for there are some eunuchs which were so born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are some eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there be eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.  He that is able to receive  it, let him receive it.’ ” (Matthew 19:11, 12,  God hates sin, but He loves the sinner.  This should be the attitude of everyone who claims to be a child of God.  Jesus set the standard for all when He stated emphatically:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.”  (John 8:7, KJV)

Society may categorize some sins as more heinous than others, but any sin will keep us out of the kingdom of Heaven.  Too often sanctimonious “Christians” have condemned the obvious sins of homosexuality, drunkness and profligacy while, within their own hearts, pride, selfishness and love of the world reign unchecked.

In the Bible, homosexuality was punishable by death as was gluttony.  But today, the homosexual is shunned while the glutton is given diet pills and sympathy.  Just as no one should judge another for having different color skin or hair, or having inherited different sinful tendencies, none should judge a homosexual.  All are sinners and all are equally in need of a Saviour.

Everyone will find in his or her life some sin that cannot be overcome in the individual’s  own strength.  All must have divine deliverance.  It does not matter what the individual sin is – only Jesus can deliver from the power of sin and Satan.  Whether your propensity to sin is inherited or cultivated, there is still only one answer: the atoning blood of the Christ.  There is only one way to overcome any sin.

   Flood the mind every day with the words of Scripture.  This is the Word of Godto you.

   “It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”  (Proverbs 3:8

   Deliberately choose to surrender your will to your Maker.  Say the words in prayer.

   “Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.”  (Luke 22:42, KJV)

   Claim the the great and precious promises.

   “What shall we then say to these things?  If [Yah] be for us, who can be against us.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  (Romans 8:31, 37, KJV)

If you are struggling with sins in your life, if there are cultivated or inherited tendencies over which you have no control, Jesus is your solution.  His invitation to you is:

“Come to Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30