Homosexuality - depravity or disposition?

Some have said Homosexuality is genetic and in spite of lack of scientific evidence this falacy conitnues to gain roots in many peoples minds.

I want to point out some things from a biblical perspective...

1. When God made poeple he did this in a way that we ARE genetically inclined to be attracted to the opposite sex, and it is ONLY through a relationship with the opposite sex that the reproductive system works naturally.

LIFE comes through heterosexual relationships ALONE! This is a living testamony of what is natural, blessed, and bears fruit and what is unnatural, cursed, and cannot be fruitbearing/life-giving.

2. They have never found a gay gene in any baby, child, or pre-homosexual person, and they never will! Nor is there any consistant genetic finding in practicing homosexuals. The reason for both of these is because sin is a choice and homosexuality is declared in the Bible as a sin. The Bible does make it clear that there is a physical effect of sin on the human body and in Romans 1 it specifically talks about them receiving the due penelty for their perversion IN THEMSELVES. There is a physical depravity that is the result of sin. There is scerosis of the liver and other genetic changes from alcohol in the body. The same is true in the effects of other sins.

Also, it says in Romans 1 there is a mental depravity that is experienced as well. A brokenness, twistedness, bentness, a decay.

So, depending on the degree of which an individual is steeped in a sin will determine the degree of the physical and mental break down that is found in that person. The longer they engage in the sin and the greater the quantity of experience the greater the negative effect.

3. God condemns sin, which is a choice, and no where in scripture does he condemn someone for physical or mental defect, but if Homosexuality were not a choice, but a genetic disposition then God would be condemning unjustly homosexuals in 1Corinthians 6 and several other places in scripture.

4. Even if someone felt they could justify and argue a genetic disposition, this still would not obsolve the "Homosexually Inclined" of the responsibility to live a morally pure life by obstaining from that which God says is wrong, impure, sin, ungodly, and an abomination.

The fact is, being heterosexual and functioning as mankind is truely designed to function means that there will be an attraction and desire for the opposite sex, but this natural disposition, even as God intended, is not an excuse or justification to cast of all moral restraint and go have sex with just anyone or pursue intimate relationships with multiple partners. This too is sin, called adultery/sexual immorality, and is condemned by God.

Whether hetero or homo sexual, we are all called to excersize self-control and abstain from immoral behaviors.

5. Homosexual temptation and Heterosexual temptation are not sin, it's whether you engage in the temptation.

So, the heterosexual and the homosexual will both be judged, not by whether they were tempted in a particular way, nor by whether or not they could scientifically justify their sexual orientation, but by their choice to abstain or engage in a behavior that God specifically declares to be wrong, sin, and a behavior that can open the door for eternal damnation.

6. As true followers of Jesus Christ, it is not our job to condemn anyone! God alone is the judge. We are to view the homosexual, the adulterer, the drunk, the addict, the "you fill in the blank" as a redeemable, valuable, loved, and special person that Jesus loved so much that he died for them. We can't condemn because as long as they are alive there is the possibility that they could repent, turn to God, turn away from their sin, and ask forgiveness, thus becoming a born-again child of God.

As a Christian, we view all people as equally fallen, equally in need of salvation, grace, and mercy that is found in Jesus Christ alone, and all as equally redeemable/forgivable.

Emotions, gages or guides?

I want to share a recent post I shared with a friend who was struggling with feeling depressed, hopefully it'll help others out there. I've expounded a little bit more as I've had more time to think on the subject.

I want to encourage you to always remember that God gave us emotions, and he did it for a reason. Heck, even God has emotions.

God gave us these emotions to experience life in all it's fullness. He gave them to us so we could enjoy life and be able to recognize when things were wrong/bad.

God gave us emotions to act like a gage, like what you'd find on the dashboard of your car. Your "feelings"/emotions let you know whether things are good or bad, functioning right or wrong, inbalance or out of balance in your life, but they are not rational and are not to be your guide.

Always remember, God gave you feelings/emotions to be your gage to let you know that things are where they should or should not be, but they are not your guide. The emotions will tell you SOMETHING is wrong, but not necessarily WHAT is wrong. What your emotions are saying is wrong or is the problem may just be a surface issue, it may be something a whole lot deeper and bigger. Something we really don't want to have to address or deal with, for whatever reason, be it fear, pride, selfishness, you name it.

Your guide must always be wisdom and understanding. True wisdom and understanding is more than knowing what the Bible says (what the truth of the matter is), but it's knowing how to apply/do it in your life. It's knowing the right response, decision, or coarse of aciton.

Wisdom and understanding are your rational in times of hightened/extreme emotion. Emotions know no logic. So, emotions can lead you astray. Emotions are the gage to say something is very right or very wrong and all that is inbetween. Wisdom and understanding are the guide to how identify and fix what is wrong and how not to go off the deep end when things are really good.

Beware of worldly wisdom and understanding/logic. They can lead you astray.

Here are some ways to grow in wisdom and understanding and build a solid foundation of rational to guide you when the gages go into the red.

1. Remember you need to renew your mind with God's Word (Truth) to have a sound foundation of rational/logic. So, read it and know what it says.

2. Specifically read Philippians 4:6-8 faithfully and do what it says. Also, there are 31 chapters of Proverbs, one for each day of the month, read a chapter every day, every month. You might think this will get old, but the wisdom of God is inexhaustable and Proverbs is no exception.

3. Learn the art of application! True wisdom is not knowledge only, but both knowledge and application of that knowledge. Do what it says!

4. Remember the promise of perseverence! James 1:2-4; 1Peter 1:6-7; and Hebrews 6:11-12. Learn to never quit or give up.

Cleaning fish before we catch them?

Jesus said, "Come and follow me and I'll make you fishers of men." I have a lot to say on this subject, but at this point I want to simply ask the question: are we trying to clean the fish before we even catch them.

How many of us try to tell a nonChristian how they need to "Stop doing this..." and "Stop doing that..." and "Clean up this area of your life..." and "Clean up that area of your life..."

We're telling them to clean up before they come to Jesus and it's like telling them to go take a shower before they come and get a bath. Only Jesus can cleanse them. Only Jesus can set them free. Only Jesus change them.

Jesus shows us that he wants people to come to them as they are and then together with Jesus and the Christian family we will travel on the journey of transformation into this new life and new person that Jesus wants for us.

Most nonChristians know the "do's and don't's" Why try to tell these people all the wrong and to clean up when we know better than anyone that just living a good life isn't good enough. No matter how great and clean and moral a life they would live they'll never reach the state of perfection in the eyes of God and acceptance based on performance. None of us can.

No, our acceptance is found in that we stand naked, fully exposed, transparent, and vulerable before God for who we are and all we've done in word, deed, and thought, and we're still loved, still accepted and valued. Why? Not because of us, but because of him! This is the Grace, mercy and love of God.

No, God doesn't like the sin, in fact he hates it and condemns it, but he doesn't hate and condemn us, nor does he anyone else, yet. Right now he offers to all people his love, grace, and mercy. The day will come when they'll face the consequence/payment for they're decision. The're will be a day where condemnation will be dealt out to those who rejected the love, grace, and mercy of God found in Jesus Christ.

Why do feel the need to try to force nonChristians to act like Christians before they are one? This has been a major turn off to them.

It's like this... Go fishing, throw your bait into the water on your hook, when you see fish coming near reach in and try to skin and gut it before it's on the hook. You'll find that you are not only unsuccessful at the skinning and gutting, but also at the catching. Why? Cause you're doing it backward!

making clones/robots

What does a Christian look like? Some would say Jesus. Others would say a good person, or a boring person, still others may say a moral person. Maybe they're all right.

I think a Christian looks like Jesus, but there are specifics ways...

I think a Christian looks like a servant, like a humble person, like person who is full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, like a person who prays.

I don't think they look religious. I don't think they wear a dockers instead of jeans, or vice versa. Preferencial stuff just seems to not be a factor. It seems character over charisma is what counts.

Jesus isn't making little clones or robots called Christians. He's helping all kinds of unique people become a unique child to express God's love and truth in their own preferential unique way (staying consistant with the character and commands of God) to their unique culture/social group.

All things we already new, but seem to loose touch with. Especially with our family, church family, friends, co-workers, and enemies.

Are we giving people a reason to love or hate Jesus, to love or hate us? Don't forget, to hate may have nothing to do with us doing something wrong, but instead an emnity because you're doing it right.