Introduction

The world today claims that 10% of the population is homosexual. However, in reality, this figure comes from the flawed research of Alfred Kinsey. As much as 25% of the group he studied to determine “normal” male sexual behavior was composed of present and former prison inmates (Source: Dr. Judith A. Reisman and Edward W. Eichel, Kinsey, Sex and Fraud: The Indoctrination of a People, Lafayette, LA: Huntington House, 1990, p. 9). But even if more than 10% of the population were homosexuals, that would not make it right!

The Standard of Ethics and Morality

As Christians, our ethics and morality must be based solely upon the Bible, the divinely inspired, infallible and inerrant Word of God which is our supreme standard for all doctrines and practices (Psalm 19:7-11; Proverbs 6:23; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Therefore, a born again Christian must not form his or her world view based on statistical research or an (often manipulated) public or majority opinion. For a Christian, the Word of God always has the final say, not his or her personal feelings or emotions or logic (i.e. I ‘feel’ or I ‘think’). Truth is not determined by majority vote because the majority can be wrong. “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

So what does the Bible say about “Same Sex Marriage”?

Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is always between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage, Genesis 2:24, describes it as a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife. In passages that contain instructions regarding marriage, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33, the Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman, never between a man and a man or a woman and a woman. Therefore, any other form of sexual unions outside marriage or any other form of “marriage” other than between one man and one woman is abominable to God—it is condemned as sin. Firstly, “Same Sex Marriage” is both explicitly and implicitly condemned in Scripture. The Apostle Paul, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares that “effeminate” or “homosexual” shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; 10), that is unless they repent. Bear in mind again that Paul does not single out the homosexual as a special offender. He includes fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners. And then he adds that some of the Christians at Corinth had been delivered from these very practices: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Secondly, “Same Sex Marriage” is also a sin of adultery. Adultery in the natural sense is sexual intercourse of a married person with someone other than his or her own spouse. It is condemned in both the Old and New Testaments (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). Christ forbids dwelling upon the thoughts, the free play of one's imagination that leads to adultery (Matthew 5:28). Christ Himself made it very clear what marriage is all about, He says, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and he goes on to say, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ So then, they are no longer two but one flesh" (Matthew 19: 4b-6a). Since it is not God’s design for a person “to marry” someone of his or her own gender, “Same Sex Marriage” is essentially adultery. Lastly, “Same Sex Marriage” is also considered a sin of fornication. Why is it fornication? Fornication is the sin of illicit sex acts of unmarried persons which is likewise forbidden (1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; Ephesians 5:3). Bear in mind that most homosexual “couples” enjoy sexual promiscuity and freedom of engaging in multiple same-sex partners so their life style is not only the sin of adultery but also of fornication. Even if homosexual “couples” were to “live happily ever after” and were “faithful” to each other, it still violates God’s original intent for marriage, which is strictly between one man and one woman. Thus, it is still a sin of fornication.

Is there Hope for the Homosexuals?

Bear in mind that all of the sins mentioned in the above passages (e.g. 1 Corinthians 6:9) are condemned by God, but just as there was hope in Christ for the Corinthians, so is there hope for all, including homosexuals. But some homosexuals may say, "I was born this way I can’t change." Yes, we are all born with a sin nature, but we can change with God’s help. Is there hope for homosexuals? The good news is, yes, there is hope in Christ! God does forgive, He hates the sin of homosexuality but He loves the sinner who repents. Homosexuals like all of us are sinners who need to be saved from their sins. It is important to realize that the gospel invitation is extended to all and not just to some although not every person to whom we witness will come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Isaiah 45:22 says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (cf. Acts 17:30; 1 John 2:2)

How shall Christians reach out to them?

In a sense, witnessing to homosexuals is no different from witnessing to non-homosexuals. We have one gospel to present to all people, homosexuals or non-homosexuals. The Biblical way to witness to a homosexual is not to argue with him about his or her lifestyle but to use the Perfect Law of God to bring the knowledge of sin which converts the souls of sinners (Psalm 19:17). It is because the Law was made for homosexuals, as well as other lawbreakers (Psalm 5:5 and 2 Peter 2:6–8). If we point out their sin with the Law of God, this will show them that they are guilty of breaking God’s holy Law and that they are damned not because they are homosexuals per se, but because they have broken God’s law as all of us have. The gospel invitation extends to all the ends of the earth (Isaiah 45:22) and we are commanded to evangelize all creatures (Mt 28:19, 20). So, let us preach the gospel with a sense of urgency for God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).

Conclusion

The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality. The Word of God also explicitly states that marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Same Sex Marriage is a perversion of the institution of marriage and an offense to the God who created marriage. As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin. Rather, we are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, including homosexuals, through Jesus Christ.

As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus: * If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ^* If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:18-19).

Meanwhile, do not forget that homosexuals need the gospel as much as non-homosexuals. Our Lord said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15; cf. Matthew 28:19,20). Obviously, the 'every creature' Jesus referred to includes homosexuals. Our job is to tell them of their need as  sinners to repent of their sin just as we tell everyone else who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We need to trust the gospel of Christ which "is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). May God help us all.

Pastor David Weng

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