Dear Mr. Rushmore: Can you tell me what bible verses I can share with homosexuals to let them know that they can be changed in Christ? People are born gay, just as we are all born in sin, so they should be loved and comforted and led to Christ, not despised as something inferior to heterosexuals. We are all God’s children. I appreciate any help you can offer. Michael Lane, Florence, SC
It is a correct assessment of Scripture that homosexuality is sinful and therefore homosexuals need to be led by the Word of God to repent of their sins, including their homosexuality. It is also correct that homosexuals can change that behavior. By Divine inspiration, the apostle Paul listed homosexual behavior in the catalog of sins of 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [homosexuals, NKJV], nor abusers of themselves with mankind [sodomites, NKJV], Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, KJV).
Happily, homosexual behavior can be changed. Some of the Corinthian Christians to whom the apostle wrote formerly were homosexuals. “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). Upon repentance, they received the forgiveness of their sins, including the sin of homosexuality. Repentance involves a corrective change of mind (internal activity) that brings about a corrective change of conduct or behavior (external activity). Anything less than a change of mind led by biblical instruction and a corresponding change of conduct (to bring it in harmony with the Divine instructions) is not biblical repentance. For a more thorough discussion of homosexuality, please see the Gospel Gazette Online Archives for “Homosexuality”:
https://www.gospelgazette/archives/index.shtml#h
The assumptions that homosexuals are born that way and that everyone is also “born in sin” are both at odds with biblical truth. Several passages indicate the purity with which each child enters the world or remains prior to becoming accountable for his actions. Ezekiel 18:20 is one such verse: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” For a fuller treatment of original sin, heredity depravity and Calvinism, see Gospel Gazette Online Archives for “Calvinism”:
https://www.gospelgazette/archives/index.shtml#c
Homosexuals are no more born into the sin of homosexuality than is anyone else born into sin. Homosexuality is a behavior that is either learned or a behavior against which one was not taught clearly at a young age or inclinations and lusts that one chooses to gratify rather than properly control.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).
As humans, made in the spiritual image of God, we are neither robots nor animals, but beings that have the capacity and responsibility before God to control our behaviors. Any other concept takes a low view of God and an even lower view of mankind.
Indeed, we ought to hate sin and love sinners. Hence, we ought to hate homosexuality because God views it as sinful, but love the homosexual sinner because God loves all sinners (Romans 5:8) of which number you, all accountable souls and I are members from time to time. Yet, we must be careful not leave the impression that we approve of sinfulness, irrespective of whether the sin is homosexuality or something else. In the sense that sinfulness is an inferior condition to righteousness, one might, using your words, correctly note that ‘homosexuality is inferior to heterosexuality.’ Each of us ought to pursue righteousness, including homosexuals.
Regardless of what the sin might be, repenting and avoiding that sin in the future can be a very difficult, but do-able goal. We must start by ascertaining precisely what God through the Bible teaches regarding the sins of which we may be guilty. We must purpose to submit to the will of God and repent. It is comforting to know that we can persevere in the face of temptation. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Yes, “we are all God’s children” by way of creation. However, we are either “children of the flesh” or “children of God” (Romans 9:8), but not both at the same time. It is imperative that we also become God’s children by way of redemption, so that we can legitimately anticipate God’s welcome into blissful eternity with him.
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be” (Mark 16:16).
