Page 3 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

t’s everywhere. The LGBTQ+ agenda practicing homosexuals (listed along with
3
has infiltrated nearly every aspect of idolaters, adulterers, thieves, drunkards,
Isociety. We cannot ignore it and are etc.) “will not inherit the kingdom of God”
pressured to embrace it. As Christians, we (v9). A soul’s eternal destiny is at stake.
may feel intimidated by what appears to Thankfully, escape from these sins and the
judgment they bring is possible, for Paul
be the majority view. We’re stigmatized says, “And such were some of you” (v11a).
by the phobia labels. We’re informed we He reminds them that a great change had
may be using hate speech. An “improper” taken place. “But you were washed, you
response to the agenda could mean job ter- were sanctified, you were justified in the
mination; indeed, it already has for some. name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the
Spirit of our God” (v11b).
The believer needs a safe space, and, thank- There is a difference, however, between
fully, there is one – Scripture. “The fear of the practice of homosexuality and having
man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the feelings of same-sex attraction, something
LORD is safe” (Pro 29:25), not necessarily that even believers can face. Such an at-
1
from physical harm, but safe in the truest traction only proves that we live in a fallen
world, but the attraction itself isn’t sin. Act-
spiritual sense of the word. So, what is to ing on it is. For some Christians, the Lord
be our response to the LGBTQ+ agenda? has worked to remove these feelings, and
they have been able to enter heterosexual
Respect God’s Word marriage. But that has not been the expe-
rience for everyone. Scripture has a safe
Let me address the LGB part of the acro- space for them also. The Lord Jesus gives a
nym first. It is not only the Old Testament godly alternative to heterosexual marriage:
that condemns homosexual relationships singleness, celibacy (Mat 19:12). Believers
(e.g., Lev 18:22; 20:13 ), but the New Tes- who still struggle with same-sex attraction
2
tament also (e.g., Rom 1:26-27; 1Ti 1:10). and therefore choose to follow a celibate
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 should life are to be commended for respecting
God’s Word.
be enough to shake anyone to the core:
³ The Greek word Paul uses here is arsenokoites,
¹ Scripture quotations in this article are from the a compound of arsen (male) and koites
ESV. (intercourse), both of which are used in the
² This passage shows that gay rape is not the Greek translation of these Leviticus passages.
subject of condemnation (although it obviously God’s mind did not change from the OT to the
would be), but consensual homosexual activity. NT.
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