First, I would like to talk to all Christians who vehemently attack the gay and lesbian community and make what should be a loving attempt at gaining a lost soul for Christ into a unnecessary personal attack. While you may be right about condemning their choice of lifestyle, any name calling campaign, physical or mental attempt at intimidation or outright ostracism that does not meet Biblical standards is just as wrong. Lets make sure that we imitate the Lord in that we hate the sin but love the sinner.

With that being said, let me now turn my attention to what is sure to be a cause of irritation by some who may have issue with the words I have in bold in the previous paragraph. I know that calling the homosexual lifestyle a choice will be upsetting to many but my use of that word will be explained later. As for ostracism that the Bible agrees with, let us deal with that now.

The apostle Paul in his writing to the church at Corinth, tells the believers not to keep company with immoral and sinful people.

9I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

He starts with the sin of fornication then comes back and clarifies his statement by saying that he does not mean to shun all immoral people. In order to do that one would have to leave the planet.

10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

Paul explains that he means not to keep company with anyone who claims to be a Christian and lives a lifestyle contrary to godliness.

11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

So then, there is a segment of society that Christians are supposed to ostracize, people who claim Christianity but refuse to live by its mandates. Those who are lost in the world without Christ are not expected to live by the laws of a King they have not accepted.

Next, there may be some who look at the above scriptures and say that they say nothing about the gay lifestyle. This is false. The main subject is fornication. We understand that fornication is sexual activity outside the confines of Biblical marriage. So now the question becomes who does God recognize as being “one flesh.”

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." Ephesians 5:31

A man plus his wife equals one flesh. Notice that God could of made another man to be paired with Adam but He made a woman instead. Not only that, but God took something out of the man to form woman with.

21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2: 21 -23

So then, the reason that they were married (joined together) is because they were literally one flesh in the beginning. Man was simply reunited with his rib. Woman did not come from woman and man did not come from man. Only man plus woman can have offspring and do the other thing God commanded;

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, Genesis 1:27,28

Again it is clear that God's commandment to “be fruitful” and to “replenish” was given to male and female participants. In God's divine wisdom, He gave them the adequate anatomy to fulfill this command. Again common sense tells us that any other combination besides a man and a woman would make this an impossibility.

It is clear that God's plan is for a man to marry a woman. Any other combination is not recognized by God and therefore qualifies as fornication, sex outside of marriage. The word fornication does indeed include the homosexual.

There are many who recognize that the scripture which tells us that "it is better to marry than to burn" is a warning against sex outside the confines of marriage. There are many who want to prove their commitment to another and avoid the sin of fornication. However, there are also many who do not understand that if marriage is not done under the guidelines that God has instituted, He will not recognize it. An invalid marriage is not a marriage at all and will only lead to a lifestyle of fornication and / or misery. Just one look at the above verse shows us that God prescribes marriage between a man and a woman. It also tells us "what God has joined together." If God put it together then it is recognized no matter what man has to say and on the flip side, if God didn't put it together, no man can make Him validate it. My friends, even if same sex marriage is accepted all over the world, God will always consider their marriage certificates meaningless.

The Problem with the Homosexual Lifestyle

In a word it is SIN and God has hated it from the beginning.

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Lev. 20:13:

Not many will argue with the plainness or the severity of this scripture, however, there are many who will argue that this is no longer binding on New Testament “homosexual Christians.” The Law and Grace argument would have merit if it were not for the fact that God has not changed what He deems sin, He has only changed how He wishes to be worshiped and how and when He punishes. Some may have noticed the “eye for an eye” Old Testament command is adverse to the “turn the other cheek” command in the New. In addition to punishments (no more stoning) there are holy days and feasts (unleavened bread, tabernacles, day of atonement) and foods (clean and unclean) that New Testament Christians no longer follow. Yet through all of this, God has NOT changed his attitude as to what constitutes sin.

6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

I know that some will argue that God was talking to the sons of Jacob and not to us. Although this is true, it has nothing to do with the fact that God does not change. But if He is the same God, how can I explain the multitude of differences between commands of the Old and New Testament? Let me answer by asking a better question. Can I change how something is implemented without changing how I feel about it? Of course!

When I was younger my parents taught us not to fight each other. At the ages of seven and nine if my brother and sister fought they would be spanked. In their late teens my parents abandoned spanking in favor of punishment. They would loose privileges such as talking on the phone or access to video games. It can clearly be seen that while the method of punishment changed, my parents attitude toward fighting did not. My parents had not changed, my brother and sister had. They were no longer little children and my parents found more acceptable ways to implement the rules of the house accordingly. We live in different times and God has found more acceptable ways to implement His will but sin is still sin.

Nevertheless, to keep things simple, I will stick with the New Testament.

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

So there you have it..., fornicators, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind - will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But what are these things? Some may say the since these terms are unfamiliar to most of us, they are not sound evidence that they speak of the sins of homosexuality. Luckily for us, the Bible was written in a language that anyone who really wants to find the original word and meaning can.

Fornicators [ Greek -paramours] -Strong's #4205 pornos "to sell, a male prostitute (as venal), a debauchee (libertine): fornicator, whoremonger."

Since most of us know what a prostitute is, (someone who exchanges sex for money), lets concentrate on two of the lesser known terms.

debauch- to lead astray morally; corrupt -n. an orgy (Websters Dictionary

libertine- a man who is sexually promiscuous -adj. Licentious (Websters Dictionary

This condemns the morally corrupt and the sexually promiscuous both straight and gay. Therefore, bed hoppers, same sex, prostitution, bestiality, orgies and all other forms of sex outside of God ordained marital sex is in view

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1 Cor 7

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4 Emphasis mine

Effeminate [ Greek -catamite ] -Strong's #3120 malakos "soft, fine clothing, a catamite, effeminate."

catamite: "a boy who has a sexual relationship with a man" (American Heritage College Dictionary)

effeminate: having qualities attributed to women, a weakness, delicacy etc.; unmanly – (Websters Dictionary)

With effeminate, God even goes a step further than sex and condemns men having attributes of a woman that would make him “unmanly.” This would cover dress, speech and mannerisms that one would typically attribute to women and not men. God wants the distinction between the sexes abundantly clear!

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 1 Cor 11:14,15

Abusers of themselves with mankind [Sodomites] -Strong's #733 arsenokoites "a sodomite, defile self with mankind."

The elements of the Greek word arsenokoites are "male-lier"-A male who lies with a male. "Male bed partners" (Wycliffe Bible Dictionary)

This condemns both men who have sex with boys and men with men. So then, it is clear that the homosexual lifestyle is in view. It is also clear that homosexuality is not the only sexual perversion and it is not the only sin that God condemns. However, “be not deceived,” homosexuality is a sin.

9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 1 Timothy 1:9,10Emphasis mine

Notice that homosexuality is never listed in a list of righteous acts that get us to heaven. It is always included in a list of sin. It is listed with things that are contrary to sound doctrine and the Bible warns those who practice it and still believe that they are Christian to “be not deceived.” Just like prostitution, sleeping around, bestiality, and child molestation, it is not a alternative lifestyle, it is sin.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And 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. Romans 1:24-27 Emphasis mine.

God sees homosexuality as vile and unseemly and says that there are those who think more highly of the laws of man and his thoughts than the laws of God and His. In other words, you worship who you put first. If man's law says that it's okay to marry another man when the word of God says that it isn't, then man is wrong.

19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19

If one continues to reject God and His righteousness, He will give you upto your own wickedness. You will believe that something is right when it is wrong. I believe that is the state the many gay and lesbians find themselves in today.

Common Excuses Answered.

Why would I choose a life of ridicule?

One argument that I receive from some who claim this lifestyle comes in the form of a question. “Why would I chose something that would cause me pain, rejection, and ridicule?”

To that I will answer with questions of my own. Why did the crack addict steal money for drugs even though he will risk going to jail? Why did the bank robber? Why do people cheat on their spouses even though it may cost them their marriage, home, children and finances? Why did the gambler gamble his last dollar knowing that his lights were going to be cut off?

People get addicted to certain lifestyles and it doesn’t matter what the consequences are. All they can think about is how good it feels at the time they are indulging in them. The consequences come latter. Could homosexuality be a form of sexual addition? Yes. Am I certain of this? No.

My only point is that just because the end result of things we do will be painful, doesn't mean people won't do them anyway. To ask, “why would I chose to be ridiculed ?” is not evidence of anything.

I know what I feel is love or attraction.

Then we have the romantics out there who suggest that “if this feeling is wrong then I don't want to be right.” I assure you that it is wrong and this goes for both the straight and gay / lesbian communities.

If I, as a straight single man, fall in love with a woman and have sex with her, it is fornication. It is sin.

If I, as a straight married man, fall in love with a woman and have sex with her and she is not my wife, it is adultery. It is sin.

If I, as a gay or lesbian person fall in love and have sex with anyone of the same sex it is “an abomination” “confusion” and fornication. It is a sin.

If I, as a gay or lesbian person, fall in love and have sex with someone of the opposite sex, it is not an abomination but it is still fornication, we must be married.

What's love got to do with it? Neither does lust or any other emotion. What we feel has nothing to do with something being sin or not, God's word does. There are plenty of people who love and have sex outside of holy matrimony and all of it is sin.

It's not a choice, I was born this way.

Now we will cover the argument that homosexuality is not a choice. Some believe that it is something that is thrust upon someone at birth and therefore out of their control. Although this debate has been going on for years, it is actually irrelevant. I will be the first to admit that I have never been homosexual and therefore can't claim vast insight on how it feels to be one. However, I do know at this present time that no gay gene has been scientifically identified.

Next, I want to point out that my calling it a choice is not my way of saying that homosexuals choose it as a lifestyle. I really don't know. I am saying that homosexuality is a choice because they choose to keep it. I'm saying that it doesn't matter if you were born that way or not, it only matters that if you believe that it is a moral alternative lifestyle, you have rejected the cure, Jesus Christ.

People who believe that homosexuals are born gay are really trying to suggest that if you are born with something , it can't be wrong. Both common sense and scripture would tend to disagree. Just a little reflection about birth in America would prove that babies are born with birth defects and ailments that if medically possible are corrected. A baby born with a fever is not released home until the fever is brought under control. Babies are born with extra fingers, cleft palates and other things that are not considered normal that may require future surgery. Some babies are even born with AIDS or addictions due to the lifestyle of the parents.

As far as scripture goes-

1And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. John 9:1-7

It seems that Jesus did not leave the blind man in his condition just because he was born that way.

8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. Acts 14:8-10

Neither did the Apostle Paul with the crippled.

The Bible says that,

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

When someone had a true encounter with Christ, He changed them, taught them, healed them. The Bible records various accounts of the blind, lame, possessed, diseased and hungry who came away from Jesus with the solution to their problems. The truth is, we are all born in sin. We need Jesus in our lives to change us, teach us, heal us. Sin is our problem. There is no difference between the crack addict, prostitute, fornicator, and thief when it comes to the answer to their lifestyle problems. We must first admit that we have a problem and that we are wrong. This is repentance.

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:8,9

Then it is up to us to agree with God's word and allow Christ to be our Lord and Savior. The choice was not in choosing homosexuality in the beginning but in choosing to stay that way in the end.

If you are a homosexual, living a same sex lifestyle, believing that you're right and God is wrong then you are not only deceiving yourself, you are rejecting the cure. You are in effect saying, I don't need Jesus, there's nothing wrong with me.

If you are shacking up with someone who is not your spouse and you are having a sexual relationship, believing it is right, then you are deceiving yourself and rejecting Christ. You are in effect saying, I don't need Jesus, I know what I'm doing.

The reason for the animosity

Political Correctness

I began this article with an appeal to my Christian brothers and sisters who rightfully have a problem with the gay / lesbian lifestyle. My appeal to remind them that people in error need to be corrected with love and with scripture. We must “reason” with them. It is true that the fundamental differences between the two classes (Christian and the LGBT) have led to animosity. Why?

Homosexuals are not Minorities

I now make an appeal to the gay / lesbian community by saying that political correctness and love is a two way street. Name calling is not warranted to you but neither is it with us. You are probably wondering when did you call members of the Christian community names? The answer is when you call yourselves minorities. To call yourselves minorities is an offense to scores of African American, Mexican, Latino, Asian and other true minority Christian races. Why? There is nothing in scripture that calls being a certain race vile, against nature, an abomination or a sin, however, there is for the homosexual. Furthermore, it is an undeniable fact that a person is born a certain race, while being born a homosexual is debatable.

By what standard are you a minority? Our offense has nothing to do with numbers as it is true that you are the outnumbered, it is about morality. To the minority (by race) Christian, to call yourselves minorities makes about as much sense as calling thieves, adulterers, child molesters, drug dealers, kidnappers and people indulging in bestiality minorities. They are the lessor of the population as well. In fact, I have only illustrated the sinful minority. If we go by numbers alone, then we all are minorities. My wife sews and my friend plays golf. If we take the American or world population in view, they are also minorities. Who said it had to stop at sexual orientation? How many people sew or play golf? Being a minority has to do with race, not lifestyle, and if that is not the case then either everyone is a minority or no one is.

Tell me, homosexual reader, would you like me to say that being a homosexual is just like being a child molester?

Probably not.

You would argue that there is a huge amount of difference between a person who takes sex from a child than an adult who sleeps with other adults willingly. Likewise, minority Christians will say that there is a world of difference between a lifestyle that God sees as wrong and one that He doesn't. To God, a child molester has more in common with you than your gay lifestyle has in common with a person of minority race. I do not think that most gay / lesbians realize that this is indeed offensive. If people call you a certain three letter “F word” they are wrong, I just want you to understand that if you call yourself a minority, something we Christians consider “a choice” a choice to stay that way, then you have indeed cast the first stone.

Not an Alternative Lifestyle

The other reason for the animosity between Christians and the gay / lesbian community stems from the fact that it is clear in scripture that homosexuality is sin. This article, although about Homosexuality and Sexual Sin, focuses primarily on homosexuality for the same reason most homosexuals feel like Christians make their sin worse than others. The difference between homosexuality and most other sins is simple. Thieves, child molesters, and prostitutes aren't usually arguing to society that their way of life is right. Thieves don't call it an alternative lifestyle. Most would agree that stealing is wrong. Most would agree that cheating on ones spouse is wrong. Thus, homosexuality is one of the only sins that argues that it is moral. Christians would show the same out rage if a group of child molesters came forward and tried to convince society of the same. Wouldn't you scoff at the idea that child molestation was good for America and simply and alternative way to live life? I hope that you would. Christians scoff at homosexuality in much the same way.

Can a homosexual be a Christian?

Yes, but most aren't.

Let me say that it is possible to be a Christian and to be a homosexual. This is simply to say that you are still attracted to the same sex but you have confessed your sin and repented. Repent means to change your mind about something and to turn to God. We first have to repent before we are converted (changed). Alcoholics and drug addicts who come to Christ must do the same. However, it is impossible to practice homosexuality believing that it's right and truly be a Christian. Either what you feel is right, or God's word is! Remember the words of Jesus in the gospel of Luke 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

A saved homosexual sees his attraction to the same sex as sin (not an alternative lifestyle) and is praying for deliverance.