|
evanmay -> RE: Homosexuality - One Stop Thread (7/23/2005 1:10:49 AM)
|
I would like to post something on this topic from this perspective: a person in the sin of homosexuality gets saved, and, knowing it is sin, puts that sin to death. There is actually a person in my church who was in this chategory, and it was such an amazing testimony of the captivating grace of God and its sanctifying power.
However, often when it comes to one of these categories of sin, the ones that so often dominate people's lives (homosexuality, alcoholism, sensuality/lust, drugs), we observe the weakness and difficulty involved in overcoming these sins and from that we draw our doctrine. Why are there Christians who think their sin of homosexuality is ok? Its not necessarily because they want to hold onto their sin, rather, it's just so difficult to get rid of it. And if the Bible is seemingly ambiguous about the topic (tho I believe it is quite clear), they re-define the issue rather than conforming to what the Bible says.
Human weakness is taught all over the Bible, but holiness and sanctification is taught much more. There is Romans 7, but it is preceded by Romans 6 and is placed within the context of..well..the Bible. There are some issues in our lives that bring such a struggle. But then the Bible comes along and says things like "how can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:2). Here is our text:
Romans 13 11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Paul seems so "matter of fact" about this issue. Does Paul know what he's talking about? He says, "lets walk properly as in the daytime" and "lets cast off the works of darkness". The day and night illustration shows two things. First, it shows the urgency. Back in Biblical times, where there was no electricity, you couldn't waste any daylight. The sun would rise, and, with no time to loose, you better be out in the field, which is why he says, "you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep". Our lives are to be about the building and advancing of the Kingdom of God.
Second, you dress differently in daytime than you do at night. At night, you wear pajamas. In the day, you wear work clothes. He gives the illustration, "day is here, change your clothes. Cast off the works of darkness". Paul, how can you say this? Paul, you are talking about drunkeness, sexual immorality, and sensuality, such domninating categories of our lives! And you are saying to simply stop sinning as if we are changing out of our pajamas? How can you be so "matter of fact" about these issues?
Actually, Paul has quite the habit of being "matter of fact".
Ephesians 4 17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Ephesians 5 3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
James 1 21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
1 Peter 2 1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
Titus 2 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
Colossians 3 5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Paul basically says, "you know those sins, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and drunkeness. You know those? Yeah those. Put those off. Just put them off".
You see, when we call sin what it is (sin), we receive keys to our locks. The Bible doesn't tell us how to deal with an eating disorder. It does, however, tell us how to deal with sinful, prideful desires that make us want to be physically beautiful. The Bible doesn't tell us how to deal with a genetic disorder. It does, however, tell us how to deal with sin.
All these sins can fall into an "addictive" category. Might that be that sin is addictive?
John 8 34Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
2 Peter 2 19They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Yet nothing is new under the sun. Sin hasn't changed with the invention of the internet. Put it off!
The good news is, God has a remedy.
THE 2 P's
Practicals: ..."make no provision for the flesh". If your eye causes you to stumble, cut it out. Is it too severe to merely get rid of the TV, get rid of the wrong friends? Do you really want to be free?
Passions ...find the pleasures of God
Psalm 16 11You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
|
|
|
|