But Such Were Some Of You
It's June again. That means that my social media feeds are filled with rainbows from both the world and church, and questions/statements/opinions/scriptures about homosexuality. Pictures such as these are being shared by Christians and proclaimed Christian companies.
I have seen posts shared of people burning in hell with a caption that talks only about the abomination of homosexuality and how if these people don't repent, they will go to hell. So I'd like to take a few minutes and share my thoughts on the topic of homosexuality, anbominations, and June.
Abominations
First of all, I find it prudent to discuss what God calls abominations. What is an abomination, anyway?
The dictionary defines it as "a thing that causes disgust or hatred." The Bible has a few different lists of sins that are defined as abominations (or detestable in some translations).
Proverbs 3:31-32 (CSB)
Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,
but the upright are in his confidence.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (CSB)
The LORD hates six things;
in fact, seven are detestable (an abomination in the KJV) to him:
arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that plots wicked schemes,
feet eager to run to evil,
a lying witness who gives false testimony,
and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.
Proverbs 12:22 (KJV)
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD:
but they that deal truly are his delight.
Proverbs 16:5 (KJV)
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD:
though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
I find it it incredibly interesting that of all the times I have heard the word "abomination" used, or a discussion about a sin God hates, it is almost exclusively centered around homosexuality, and these other sins are either mentioned in passing or not at all.
I do think that in general, it is easier to point out sins as detestable when they are not sins we personally struggle with. It is so easy to become the Pharisee who looked at the tax collector and said, "God, I thank you that I'm not like other people--greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector." (Luke 18:11 CSB) It takes humility and a right understanding of our sin and the law to be like the tax collector and say "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13 CSB) it is easy to point out the speck in another’s eye and ignore the log in our own. (Matthew 7:3-5)
Understanding the Law
I personally believe that our distain for other's sin, and for the sake of this discussion I mean homosexuality and transgenderism, comes partly from a misunderstanding of the law and what it requires. The law demands perfection. Perfection in every way- thought, word, and deed. James 2:10 says "For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all." The Bible is clear that God will not allow uncleanness into Heaven.
Revelation 21:22-27
I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
I genuinely love one of the prayers my church regularly prays corporately:
Most Merciful God, We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, bu what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. (BCP)
It is such a beautiful reminder that I and my fellow congregants, though redeemed, sin in more ways than we even realize and cannot in any way uphold the law. In this, it helps me to have compassion on those who also sin and break God's law in thought, word, and deed. It is a confession of equality.
If we reduce the law to something attainable, it tends to reduce the compassion we have on those who don't uphold it, and unfortunately that tends to be more often directed at not only the world in general, including homosexuals, but also on those in the church who don't obey the law in the way we think they should. I have written much on this under the topic of purity culture and modesty, but this applies to so many things. When we cheapen the law, we cheapen grace, and forget just of what all we have been forgiven. This verse is my favorite, as it helps me remember that I was forgiven of all my sins, which were many. Luke 7:47 (ESV) “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” When we have amnesia of all we have been forgiven, it often tends to show in lack of love for our neighbors and all the things for which they need forgiveness. We are still prone to sin, even after salvation. Lest we think otherwise, Paul says in Romans 7:14-25,
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.
But such were some of you- the good news of the gospel.
Romans 8:1-11
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.
The incredible thing about the gospel is that it is good news for sinners. We cannot live up to the law's demands, but God... God did for us. Christ for us. He lived a perfect, sinless life in our place and then died the death of a sinner in our place. Isn't that such good news? Galatians 2:19-21 (CSB) says,
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Thanks to the gospel and the imputation of Christ, it is no longer we who live, but Christ in us. That means that no matter what we have done, we have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. This also means that even when we sin, and we will, we are no longer condemned. We also have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1-2). When we look at this passage in 1 Corinthians 6:1- 9-10, we see that there is a long list of sins here that are attributed to the unrighteous, and those will not inherit God's kingdom. "Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. And some of you used to be like this."
Homosexuality, which is listed here, seems to be a favorite of many to point to and say, "See, you won't get to heaven unless you stop being gay!" However, when was the last time you verbally abused someone? Stole something, which includes time at your job? Committed adultery, which Matthew 5:28 says includes lusting in your heart? What about idolatry?
1 Corinthians 6:11
And some of you used to be like this. 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.
It appears that when Paul says some of you used to be like this, he isn't saying that these people no longer do these things, but rather that they are no longer unrighteous, because they have been washed, sanctified, and justified by the Holy Spirit.
Now, this doesn't mean that we live in sin, because God forbid that we sin that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1-2). It means that we are no longer slaves to sin, and yet when we do sin, we repent and seek forgiveness and restoration, running to God because He is gracious and faithful and will forgive (1 John 1:9) and there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Galatians 5:16-25 (CSB)
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Breaking the 6th commandment WLC 136
HC Q112: What does the ninth Commandment require.
A: That I bear false witness against no one, wrest no one's words,be no backbiter or slanderer, join in condemning no one unheard or rashly; but that on pain of God's heavy wrath, I avoid all lying and deceit as the very works of the devil; and that in matters of judgment and justice and in all other affairs I love, speak honestly and confess the truth; also in so far as I can defend and promote my neighbor's good name.
WLC Q143: Which is the ninth commandment?
A: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
WLC Q144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
A: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbours; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging tale-bearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.
WLC Q145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vain-glorious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.
1 John 4:7-21
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God — God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.
Are we like Jonah?
Do we see the people we are called to love and share the gospel with as unworthy of His love and we WANT them to be destroyed? Do we, like Jonah, balk at the command to share God’s love with the LGBTQ+ community because we don’t want them to come to him, and rather we sit again off under our gourd plant and wait expectantly for God to destroy them with fire and brimstone? Do we give loopholes to the gospel that these people alone must jump through? Loopholes so small they are impossible? That is adding to the gospel and is dangerous. We should examine ourselves to see if we are in fact Jonah’s.
If nothing else, many are absolutely like the Pharisee saying “thank God I am not like that man”. (Luke 18:11
The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people — greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.)
Please watch this as an ending to this post, for I could have absolutely nothing to say after this but “Maranatha!”
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