A few weeks ago, a Christian singer came out as gay. Cue the typical scene: the ‘worldly people’ praising him for accepting himself for who he is and announcing it to the world, while the Christians posted Bible verse after Bible verse of how homosexuals will not enter the gates of Heaven.
Here is the irrefutable evidence: 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 (NIV)
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
I think that most of us know there is more where that came from. And yet, there is more to the story. First, I find it VERY curious that our Lord, Jesus–the One who DIED FOR US, was silent on the topic of homosexuality in the Bible. However He was very clear about this:
Matthew 7: 1-5 (NIV) concerning judging others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Why do we, Christians as a whole, forget this? Did you get that Jesus calls us hypocrites when we judge others? Here’s another verse about judging others.
Luke 6: 37-42 (NIV)
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Some Christians turn God’s instruction into hate by quoting certain passages He gave us concerning homosexuality. I think most of us are pretty familiar–even if we’re not Christians– with what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. And yet, the same source of these condemning passages also provides passages of God’s love and concern for ALL of us:
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Did you catch that? He does not want anyone to perish!
That doesn’t mean we have a free pass to Heaven…the last part of the previous passage calls us to repentance. Who should repent? Let’s go back to the first passage and really look at what it says:
1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 (NIV)
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
So…it’s not just gays who need to be concerned about their salvation…others who need to be concerned are those who have sex outside of marriage (no live-in boyfriends/girlfriends or casual hook-ups!), those who worship anyone (or anything!) other than our One True God, those who cheat on their spouses, those who steal, are greedy, alcoholics, those who lie or hurt the reputation of others, and those who scheme others out of their money or possessions. My favorite is the very beginning of the passage where anyone who does anything sinful at all is called a wrongdoer. Wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do you struggle with any of these? Then you’re in the same boat as homosexuals. Never thought of it that way? Most people don’t. But there it is.
I am not refuting the Word of our Creator. Rather, I’m concerned with how we treat gays in our society. There seems to be a very clear line drawn between Christians and non-Christians regarding acceptance toward gays. Here are my two cents:
–I will not become a homosexual if I love one as a human being.
–Jesus makes it clear that we are not to judge each other. That’s His job.
–Homosexuals are spiritual, too, and some long for a relationship with Him. Who am I to take that away? Not all gays are spiritual people, nor are all heterosexuals.
I want to leave you with one final Bible verse that cuts to my core: Phillippians 2:12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Writer Bio
CJ Heath knows that she is bound to offend someone with her way of thinking. That is not her intention at all. Rather, she is a lover of human kind and loves Peace. As we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, let us love one another for God is love and Jesus loves a Peacemaker.