Committed, Loving Relationships

There are those who would say that homosexuality is not a sin. I will address the most common defenses of this point that I have seen.

1. The Bible does not address consensual, committed, loving relationships between homosexuals.
   
   It does.  The Bible says that all such sex acts are an forbidden. 
   
   There are people who love, have consented to, and are committed to living in what God calls an abomination, but that doesn't change what God has said. The way you feel about a sinful act does not make the act acceptable to God.
   
   "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." Romans 1:26-28


2. It is reasonable to assume that many loving gay and lesbian relationships existed in Bible times.
   
   Then it is likewise reasonable that God knew of these relationships, yet He still declared that such is illicit.
   
   
3. The Scriptures denouncement of homosexuality is merely a reflection of the Israelites' association of the act with male prostitution involving children & rapes that occurred during conquests.
   
   The Bible is not a journal of Israelite thought, it is THE Word of God. So, why does GOD abhor homosexuality? He is all-knowing and not subject to the biases and limited perceptions of us mere humans. Why does He continue to call it an abomination throughout Scripture?
   


4. Christians differ in their view of the Bible
   
   What man agrees about or differ on in terms of the Bible is not relevant. The only thing that matters is what God says, not man's views on what He says.
   
   "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" II Timothy 3:16
   
   
5. God did not condemn Sodom because of homosexuality.
   
   The sin of homosexuality is why Sodom was condemned, and nothing verifies this more than the story itself. When the men were demanding that Lot bring out the angels so that they could "know them", they were speaking of homosexual rape. No one knew this better than Lot. He offers his daughters to appease their desire for sexual abuse.
   
   If the Sodomites were simply guilty of being greedy for money, then why did Lot not offer them money? If the Sodomites were guilty of being inhospitable, then why didn't Lot simply chastise them or invite them in to show charity? His response plainly indicates the nature of the demands being made.
   
   



It is only "shameful" to dress like a woman
when you are a man (Deuteronomy 22:5).

6. The Bible says almost nothing about homosexual feelings

Neither does the Bible address the "feelings" of liars, fornicators, adulterers, murderers...

There are plenty of people who do not like the dictates of God, but He is God anyway. He doesn't care what we "feel" about His commandments. He doesn't say "If you love me, then like my commands." He says "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)


7. The writers of the Bible assumed that everyone was heterosexual
   
   God did not assume that everyone was heterosexual. This is why He expressly forbids homosexuality stating:
   
   "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13
   
   There are of course other Scriptures where God not only acknowledges this lifestyle, but condemns it.
   
   
8. Although Jesus gave us hundreds of instructions on what behaviors to avoid and which to embrace, he said nothing about homosexuality.
   
   All Scripture is inspired by the same Holy Spirit and reflects the mind of the same God (II Timothy 3:16).  Israel already knew that homosexuality was a grievous error based upon the laws given them in the Old Testament.  Jesus told His disciples that He was sending them the Holy Spirit to keep them in remembrance of what they had been taught, and this includes the fact that homosexuality is sin (Romans Chapter 1).
   
   Jesus has existed eternally as the "Word" of God (John 1:1-14; Revelation 19:13).  Jesus never contradicts the word of God because He is the Word of God.  Jesus Himself said that He came to "finish" His Father's work, not correct or contradict it (John 4:34). Just as God cannot disagree with Himself, neither can the Son be at odds with the Father.
   
   Jesus repeatedly help up Sodom and Gomorrah as the epitome of evil when discussing those who disregard God's message (Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:23-24; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12; Luke 17:29). 
   
   
   
9. In Ezekiel 16:48-50, God states clearly that he destroyed Sodom because of the sins of pride, disregard for the needy, and their idolatry.  Sexual activity is not even mentioned.
   
   Read in context, it is clear that in Ezekiel Chapter 16, God is referring to numerous sins including sexual sins such as "playing the harlot", "fornications", "whoredoms", and "abominations".
   
   "And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good." Ezekiel 16:50
   


10. The warnings in Leviticus against homosexuality have more to do with idolatry and temple homosexual prostitution, not loving homosexual relationships.
    
    The homosexual act itself is an act of idolatry.  In the case of temple prostitution, homosexuality, beastiality and other sexual perversions were prevalent because the depravity of the act honored the false gods. It is the same way today. The homosexual act is a form of self-worship and this is why God has such a fervent dislike for this act. Those who participate in this lifestyle of necessity have to refuse the knowledge of God.
    
    "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." (Romans 1:24-25)
    
    
11. The prohibitions against homosexuality are not for today.
    
    "For I am the LORD, I change not" Malachi 3:6a 

For those who are seeking Godly direction and answers on this topic, I hope this was of help.

This is not about gay-bashing. There are all kinds of sin out there, but homosexuality (in all contexts) is one of them.

If you are a homosexual and really desire to know and serve God, hold on to His Word and seek Him in prayer. He is faithful to purge each of us from all iniquity (homosexuality or otherwise).   Here is a prayer for those seeking deliverance from the homosexual spirit.