As I work on my message on Romans 1:24-27 this weekend, I realize that there is so much more I want to say than I have time for. So here goes!
Our culture celebrates the homosexual lifestyle and condemns as bigots those who would dare say anything to the contrary.
Even in the Christian church at large there is some debate happening about this. One of the biggest arguments in favor of the homosexual lifestyle NOT being sinful is the idea that Jesus was silent on the issue of homosexuality.
The argument goes that since Jesus didn't have anything to say about it, that must mean He didn't think it was all that big of a deal.
But does silence on an issue mean approval of that same issue?
Jesus didn't condemn child abuse by name either- does that mean He approves of it? He doesn't mention pornography on the internet or doing heroin. Does that mean He approves of those things, too?
The answer is an obvious no.
To say that Jesus was silent on homosexuality and therefore it must not be sinful is a logical fallacy. Silence does not mean approval.
Some other thoughts:
1. Was Jesus really silent on the issue of homosexuality?
- Jesus was a Jew under the entire Old Testament law. He believed it and obeyed it perfectly. Leviticus 20:13 says that homosexuality was punishable by death. Did Jesus not believe this?
- In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." Did He abolish the parts of God's moral law regarding sexuality?
- He believed in and taught on traditional marriage (Matthew 19:4-6). If He believed that marriage in the original creation was between one man and one woman for a lifetime (as the Bible clearly teaches)- how could He also believe that homosexuality was okay?
2. The Apostle Paul condemns it in Romans 1:24-27:
- To say that the words of Jesus somehow outweigh the words of Paul or any of the other Apostles is to completely misunderstand the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write for us exactly what God wanted him to write. He clearly tells us in Romans 1 that homosexuality is a sin that is a result of someone's rejection of the obvious truth about God. Jesus agrees with what Paul wrote because the same Holy Spirit that lived inside of Jesus while He was on the earth inspired Paul to write these words in Romans 1.
The fact that people can twist Scripture to justify their sinful attitudes and lifestyles is simply more evidence that Romans 1 is true. Mankind has really rejected the One true God, they suppress the truth in unrighteousness, and are now under the passive wrath of God who has handed them over to a depraved mind that is full of sin.
Praise God that Romans doesn't end in chapter 1! Hope is on the way in Romans 3 where God is going to tell us His plan of salvation and how even a person struggling with a sinful lifestyle can be saved and changed!
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin
