As we delve into this issue some of you may want to chastise me for ‘being unloving’ towards those choosing/defending the homosexual lifestyle, but I feel the best way to love them is to present the truth (Ezekiel 3:18-21, 1 Cor 6:9-13).
It’s also a good bet that the politically correct crowd and the Christian tolerance gang aren’t going to appreciate my comments, but that’s OK as I seek to please God and not man (Gal 1:10, 1 Thes 2:4). Rest assured I deal with my sins everyday, but the goal is to eliminate sin in my life…not to justify it and especially not to boast about it. God’s grace and mercy sustains me.
Disclaimer: Before reading any further, If you don’t believe that the Bible is the God’s word breathed through men and is absolutely true then you may want to stop here (2 Tim 3:16-17, John 14:6, John 17:7, John 16:13, Rom 1:17) and/or If you don’t believe in God’s absolutely sovereignty then you may want to stop here (2 Sam 7:22, Dan 4:35, Ps 115:3, Ps 22:28, 1 Tim 6:15).
What has occurred? Tim Cook, Apple CEO, spoke out about his homosexuality and stated “Let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.”
If you are follower of Christ, believe Christ is the Son of God, and believe in a Triune God then let’s be clear about a few things:
- We are all sinners (Rom 3:22-24, Rom 5:8, Isa 53:6). The goal of our walk with Christ is to turn away from sin (repent- Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38) and seek to be pure by studying and living the Word of God (Luke 5:32, Rom 6:23). Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross cleanses our past, current and future sins, BUT, God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice does not give us the right to live in sinful ways or turn a blind eye to those who do (Rom 6:1-3, 1 Cor 5:11, John 3:36).
- God loves sinners but hates the sin (Rom 5:8, Mark 2:17). Homosexuality is a sin and an abomination to God (Gen 19, Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13, Rom 1:24-27, 1 Tim 1:9-10). It is not a ‘gift from God.’
- Sin separates us from God (Isa 59:2, John 9:31, Matt 25-41, Jude 1:7), Jesus calls us to repent from our sins and turn to him. (1 Tim 1:15-16)
This said, Tim Cook’s comment is blasphemous, misguided, and leads to biblical confusion in the society (Jude 1:14-16, Rom 1:24 2 Tim 4:3-4). There is a consequence for blasphemy that true followers of Christ must respect and can’t dismiss (Rev 21:8, Rom 2:5-7). There are consequences for rationalizing away biblical doctrine and ignoring scripture in order to justify disobedient personal choices (2 Peter 2:1-3, Matt 7-21-23).
I do not hate Mr Cook or other homosexuals. I love them and am praying for him/them to truly give their hearts to Christ, repent from their sinful choices, and choose to live a non-homosexual lifestyle. We should welcome homosexuals and all other people into a Bible based/preaching church so they can come to know Jesus and repent from their sins (Luke 5:30-32).