Homosexuality

Answer: Because God says practicing homosexuality is wrong (Leviticus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9), this question is focused on how God would have us treat sinners. People generally think that by showing someone concern or kindness, we are somehow condoning their behavior. But this is not always true.

Let's start with the example of Jesus, the only one who has lived a perfect life as a human. People who asked for His help generally received it, even if they were considered "lesser citizens" such as women, foreigners, tax collectors (publicans) or known sinners. Perhaps you've heard people make the statement that we should "hate the sin but love the sinner." This principle is consistent with Christ's example since He never condoned sin and yet was called "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34).

Before being crucified, Jesus asked the Father to watch over His followers. He said He did not ask that they be taken out of the world, but that they be protected from evil (John 17:11-16). Later, Paul told the Church members in Corinth that when he wrote to them about not keeping company with sinful members in the hope of encouraging them to change, he was not talking about avoiding sinful people in the world because then they would have to go out of the world (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). He was talking about people practicing sin within the Church.

From these passages we learn that Christians are expected to live in a world that doesn't follow God's instructions and yet not become a part of it by joining in the misconduct. So it's not wrong for you to be around your relative as long as you don't encourage or get involved in that person's wrong behavior (and as long as it is OK with your parents and safe).

Answer: The subject of homosexuality has caused a great deal of confusion for many. It is a controversial subject in our society, but it is not a new question for the Church of God. The early New Testament Church dealt with it.

Scripture clearly shows that homosexual behavior is sin. You may befamiliar with 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. The Amplified Bible adds clarity: "Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrong doers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality... will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God."

Another plain New Testament passage that addresses the subject is Romans 1:26-27.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6, goes on to state: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (verse 11,NKJV).

That is, members of the Church of God in Corinth had committed some or all of the sins listed—including homosexual conduct—but later converted and turned from their sin. This verse shows that homosexual behavior can be overcome. Of course, it is surely better to refuse something that is sin rather than to have to repent and change from it later.

Sin begins with temptation to do what is wrong. One practical necessity is to avoid exposure to material that typically provokes sexual temptations, including pornographic literature and sexually explicit television programs and movies. Paul's practical advice to the Corinthians is applicable—run away from factors that bring on temptations. "Flee sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Equally important is the necessity to put uplifting information and images into our minds (2 Timothy 2:22). Select your reading material and entertainment wisely.

The apostle Paul candidly spoke of his ongoing struggle against human nature in Romans 7:14-25. Overcoming doesn't mean that we're always able to put aside temptation, never to experience it again. To the contrary, it's more common that we have to battle against familiar temptations repeatedly.

The necessity to fight this battle shouldn't discourage us, for, as Paul brings out, we can count on victory through Jesus Christ. The battle against sin must be fought largely in the mind, before temptations give way to sinful thoughts and, eventually, sinful actions.

Think on Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. "We must all control our sexual desires.