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The Abomination of Homosexuality

by Louis F. DeBoer

(c) 2002


        Homosexuality has become a controversial subject in our day, even in the churches of Jesus Christ. That is not because God’s word as revealed in Scripture is not plain enough, but because people prefer to conform to the spirit of the age, to the values of our anti-Christian culture, and because they are reluctant to offend people who differ with them. We even have churches such as the Metropolitan Life Church that actively seek to promote a homosexual lifestyle purportedly based on an interpretation of the Scriptures. However the scriptures warn that "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Exodus 23:2). Rather the Scriptures warn us about such deceit and command us to "speak the truth in love".

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15

Real love will seek the best for another, and the best is always to be conformed to the will of God, to be at peace with God, and to be prepared to stand before the judgment throne of Jesus Christ as one day we all shall. Not only is it loving to speak the truth to our neighbour but it is a duty, it is commanded.

"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.. Ezekiel 33:7-9

And what is the truth about homosexuality? The Bible is clear on this subject. God has given us ample testimony in his word how he views that particular practice. The following Scriptures make that abundantly clear. That God considers homosexuality to be a perversion, contrary to nature, and an abomination in his holy sight is the uniform witness of his word against this practice.

Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.. Exodus 22:19

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.. Leviticus 18:22

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13

There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Deuteronomy 23:17

It is also clear that God does not hesitate to judge this sin in the strongest terms even in this life. Homosexuals are also called Sodomites, after Sodom, the city that gave its name to this sin that they so notoriously practiced.

Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. Genesis 19:24-25

When a similar case occurred in Gibeah of the Tribe of Benjamin as had happened in Lot’s day in Sodom, God similarly judged it and the whole tribe of Benjamin was almost destroyed on account of this sin and their militant defense of it. (Judges 19:22-20:48).

Paul, echoes these truths in the New Testament when he teaches the Christians in Rome that homosexuality itself is a judgment of God.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did 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 one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Romans 1:24,26-27

And Paul emphatically teaches that such persons, if they abide in this sin without repentance, cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, but will undergo the eternal wrath of God in the world to come.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Paul clearly classifies sodomites as being lawless and ungodly sinners. Paul is speaking the truth in love. He is emphatically warning his hearers against the inevitable consequences of this perverted and wicked lifestyle.

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:9-10

Biblical evangelism is a two-edged sword. It has bad news as well as good news. Above we have been dealing with the bad news. God is a Holy God, he has created man in his own image and commanded us to be holy as He is holy. Since man has fallen into sin he abides under the wrath of God who is "of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot fellowship with iniquity". However, there is also the good news. The old English word gospel literally means good news, even as the Greek word evangel means glad tidings. And Paul does not leave his listeners without hope. After his most explicit condemnation of homosexuality he states…

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Deliverance from slavery to any sin, whether it be alcohol or drugs, sex or sodomy, can be found in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. As Jesus himself taught…

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Amen!

Reverend Louis F. DeBoer was born in the Netherlands on June 29,1944. He was baptized in the Gereformeerde Kerk in which his father was an elder. At age 5 his family emigrated to Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Clarkson, Ontario, Canada as a member of the Christian Reformed Church. He attended the University of Toronto and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967. He was always set for the defence and confirmation of the gospel, earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints, and always ready to give an answer of the hope that was in him. Reverend Louis F. DeBoer passed from this life into the everlasting arms of his God and Savior on November 23, 2007.

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