Bonnie's Opinion // Homosexuality..... and me

(sunset from the Hokitika beach)

This is something I've been thinking about quite a bit recently.

Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted and condoned in today's society. The rise of the LGBTQ+whatever movement is heralded as a major step towards equality. It is currently politically correct to support gay rights.

I don't think this is a good thing at all.

Since this is an opinion post, I am going to state my opinion here. If you don't like the idea of hearing my opinion, perhaps don't read this post. :P I'm all for sharing opinions in a loving way. If you don't agree with me, feel free to leave me a (preferably nice and rational) comment in the comments section. But please read all I have to say first. :)
Fair enough? Okay, awesome.

I want to begin with a quote from a great article on GotQuestions. 

"The Bible is consistent through both Old and New Testaments in confirming that homosexuality is sin (Genesis 19:1–13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Jude 1:7). In this matter, the New Testament reinforces what the Old Testament had declared since the Law was given to Moses (Leviticus 20:13). The difference between the Old and New Testaments is that the New Testament offers hope and restoration to those caught up in the sin of homosexuality through the redeeming power of Jesus. It is the same hope that is offered to anyone who chooses to accept it (John 1:12; 3:16–18).

God’s standards of holiness did not change with the coming of Jesus, because God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). The New Testament is a continuing revelation of God’s interaction with humanity. God hated idolatry in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 5:8), and He still hates it in the New (1 John 5:21). What was immoral in the Old Testament is still immoral in the New.

The New Testament says that homosexuality is a “shameful lust” (Romans 1:26), a “shameful act,” an abandonment of “natural relations” (Romans 1:27), a “wrongdoing” (1 Corinthians 6:9), and “sexual immorality and perversion” (Jude 1:7). Homosexuality carries a “due penalty” (Romans 1:27), “is contrary to the sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10), and is listed among the sins that bar people from the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9). Despite the attempts of some to downplay these verses, the Bible could not be clearer that homosexuality is a sin against God...."

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (emphasis added)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. 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.

The Bible makes it very clear that homosexuality is immoral and a sin. 

A gay person (or a lesbian or whatever) is living in sin. This is the truth and I don't think that it's helpful to cloak it with "But it's true love!!" and "True love conquers all!" and all those other phrases. There's also quite a lot of name-calling at those people who still hold traditional and Biblical values. We're labeled as homophobic, hateful bigots who just want to ruin everyone's lives.

The cross never makes an ally of sin. I LOVE Rosaria Butterfield's article in response to Jen Hatmaker's recent comments regarding same sex marriage. Read it here.

It's very clear in the Bible that sins can be forgiven through the cleansing blood of Christ. This includes homosexuality. Yes, a gay person is living in sin and the truth is that they are sinning against God and against themselves, but they can be forgiven. Jesus died for everyone. Thieves, liars, gay people. Everyone. 

Now I come to the part of the issue that prompted me to make my title of this post the way I did. "Bonnie's Opinion // Homosexuality..... and me". 

So what about me?

As a Christian, I can't condone homosexuality and laud it as the loveliest thing since sliced bread. I can't follow the public opinion because I follow God's word which clearly says it is a sin. 

But what should my attitude be towards gays and lesbians?

How should I respond when a friend comes out as a lesbian?

I think it's tragic how so many Christians are in one of two camps. Either they applaud homosexuality and condone it because "God is love" (which is utterly and completely true but he still doesn't like sin!!) or they turn away from it and refuse to even look at gay people and shun them completely.

I don't think that gays and lesbians should be treated any differently to how we treat anyone else who sins differently.

Now, treating someone nicely doesn't mean you're condoning what they do. You can try to gently turn them towards the word of God if the opportunity arises. They are living in sin and that's the ultimate truth of it. 

But be careful how you act. Not just because you are acting in front of God, but you are acting in front of the world.

I absolutely believe that gay people should not be allowed to marry and have children, etc (they aren't physically designed for it!). I see nothing wrong with Christians sticking to their guns and refusing to make them wedding cakes or whatever (we've all heard the stories in the media). But be careful in how you go about it. 

These are people too and unless they understand that they are living in sin, they won't see a problem with what they are doing! Does that make sense?

Something else to think about is that there are many different issues in the world. Homosexuality is just one of many! It's easy to get fixated on one thing and think that all the world's problems revolve around that one thing... when there are so many different problems.

Also we should think about what are the most important things for us to fight for. Issues like the transgender bathroom debate and abortion are things where we should be fighting for truth as long as we have breath.

I feel like I'm rambling on a bit here. Probably time to sum up my thoughts.

Homosexuality is a sin.

We are all sinners saved by the grace of God.

Don't treat gay people any differently than how you would treat someone else.

If you are going to treat them differently (e.g. refusing to bake them a wedding cake) then be very careful in how you go about it because the world is watching and you are Christ's ambassador.

Treat everyone with love and respect. There is a difference between loving someone and condoning their actions.

Pray for them and for our countries and the world we live. Society is moving further and further away from God's Word and it truly is tragic.

What are your thoughts? (I'm aware that this is likely to be controversial :P)