The Two Wrong Messages.
The wrong message of the church today could be summed up under two main headings:
First, the church that condones homosexuality as simply an alternative lifestyle is sharing the wrong message. In both the Old and New Testaments, the Bible says that homosexual acts are sinful. We cannot deny the Scriptures.
Secondly, the wrong message of the church today is the “turn or burn” message. The church must address the issues of homosexuality, but it’s wrong to merely shout “turn or burn” from the pulpit. Furthermore, all human beings are created with dignity and worth. Every man and woman is created in God’s image and deserving of respect. We stand against those who would claim Christ and have hatred for another human being. This is also a denial of Scripture’s commands to love one another. We do believe that we can love people without agreeing with them.
The Message of Hope:
Are all people who have battled with same-sex attraction doomed to the judgment of God? Must anyone who has battled with same-sex attraction just go ahead and surrender to the homosexual temptations? The answer is simply – no. The same thing could be said of someone battling with drunkenness or adultery. Just because a person is tempted in this area doesn’t mean they are created as a homosexual and should just give up! There is hope in the gospel for people battling with same-sex attraction and homosexuality. God loves and saves sinners of all types.
Consider the Following Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – 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. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
Revelation 21:8 – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Romans 10:13 is written for all types of sinners – including homosexuals. Romans 10:13 reads, For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
One day, before the throne of God above, there will be a multitude of people from every kindred, tongue, tribe and nation praising God and worshipping the Lamb – Jesus Christ – who died for our sins (Revelation 5). Among that group will be homosexuals who have been redeemed by Jesus.
It is our prayer that if you’re struggling with this sin that you will take time to consider the full counsel of God beginning with creation and continuing to the cross. If you would like to speak with Pastor Garrett or a member of our pastoral staff – please e-mail us at garrett@riversidebaptist.church.
Do you experience same-sex attraction?
Please consider these resources:
Answering Key Questions About Homosexuality – John MacArthur
“Secret Thoughts Of An Unlikely Convert | Rosaria Butterfield and Russell Moore” on YouTube
Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – cbmw.org
Voddie Baucham – Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality….