Tackling the Tough Issues pt.3- Sexual Immorality...

In an effort to complete this series, I would like to take some time to deal with the rest of the sexuality issue. I sometimes wonder if many of those Christians who speak out against the gay and lesbian crowed really have a right to lay judgment on them at all? So in this post I would like to deal with sexual immorality as a whole...
I would like to start by examining what standard God has set concerning the sexual relationship, but I would like to approach it from a different angle...

I picture a time way back in my childhood where I really wanted to go by myself to a movie theater. I was in the first grade, and the movie was "Kelly's Heroes" I only knew it was a war movie and that it had Clint Eastwood in it.. When I asked for my loving mother's permission, She simply told me "no". As my rebellious human nature manifested itself, I begged and pleaded and cried and whimpered, taxing my dear mother's patience to the breaking point. Finally gathering my anger and frustration into the formation of a single-word-spoiled-brat whine, I blurted out "WHY?!?!" My mother, never feeling that I should have a reasonable answer, simply held her temper and exclaimed..."Because I said So!" Have you had a similar experience? Is this perhaps how you feel about some of God's more tedious commandments?
There are many verses that openly condemn certain sexual practices, and it seems easy to rattle off those verses in a fashion that sparks the human nature into rebellion. Often God is thought of as a "Cosmic Killjoy" who finds no greater pleasure than to ruin anything gratifying in the life of his lowly creation... That is How many people feel, even among Christians. I know, I was one of 'em'. So, instead of just taking God's commands against sexual immorality and acknowledging His sovereignty, swallowing it like a bitter pill, I would like to play the spoiled brat, and Ask... WHY? Unlike the answer we often get from our parents, God has a reason why He he forbids us, and that reason is not just an issue of his sovereignty. Let's look in God's word for the answer...

1. The Standard God Set
From the very beginning, God had a standard for the proper relationship between a couple...it is found in the first two chapters of Genesis..

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"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth"- (Genesis 1:27-28)
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.---And 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 - And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And 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. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:18, 22-24)

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In the creation account (Genesis 1) God Created man in his own image and likeness, both male and female. This day is fleshed out into more detail in chapter two. God in the 6th day created man, and planted a garden for him to tend, with everything he could ever want or need to sustain his life. Yet as He placed Adam in the garden God realized that it was NOT GOOD for him to be alone. Perhaps As God set him to the task of naming all the animals of His creation, Adam saw the relationship between the male and female of each species. and noticing there was not a helper for him, longed for companionship himself (v. 20) God already aware of his need, anesthetized Adam and removed from him that part from which he formed woman. (V.22) One can only imagine the response of Adam when he saw the beautiful creature God set before him, When he said:

"This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: She shall be called woman."

And from this beginning, from the mutual love that Adam and Eve had for each other, the first marriage covenant was formed

2. The Marriage Covenant

Now before we move on I would like to examine the marriage covenant at the start by making a few observations

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" Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." (v 24)

Obviously, it was God's intention for this relationship from the very beginning to have one man and one woman. Yet throughout history, everything from multiple wives and concubines to divorces and alternate lifestyles, man in his sinful nature has sought to pervert Gods plan in any way that he sees fit. This has carried on even to the present day. Even in Christ's time the pharisees seeking to question Jesus concerning divorce were answered with the following statement:

"For the hardness of your heart he [Moses] wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."(Mark 10 5-9)

Jesus Christ himself, (who incidentally, was present with/as God in the time of Adam) stated the terms for marriage straight out of the Writings of Moses, Only with a little addition.. GOD joins them together... Marriage is a covenant of one man and one woman joined together by God. A bond that is not meant to be broken by man...

• The TWO shall become ONE flesh

I think that oftentimes we fail to grasp the significance of this. When man leaves his mother and father, and woman as well, God joins them as one flesh. Two distinct beings joined not spiritually, and not mentally, but as one BODY. Mentally and spiritually distinct, but the physical nature of each is joined, and they are no longer two bodies, but ONE.
Now the physical nature of man is important to recognize here, for this reason:

"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature" Romans 1:26

I would like to set aside the obvious meaning of the passage to grab a small nugget of truth that's important here... Man has a natural use... God has provided man and woman with a body whose various parts are made for a specific function, and the use of these parts for anything other than their intended purpose is considered "against nature', I think you can see where I am heading here.... and if not let me make it clear.
The Natural union of two individuals can only be accomplished in a relationship between a male and a female. I believe that this natural use in it's greatest scene is what is meant by the two becoming one flesh...

3. Summing It Up

So taking what we have learned, how can we apply this to a reason for why God does not look favorably on certain sexual practices?
For sexual union to be blessed by God it must meet the following criteria...

• It must be an act which does not violate the natural use of the person's body

Referring back to Romans 1:26, anything contrary to the natural use is called a "vile affection"

• this can only be accomplished in a union between a man and a woman

Stretch your brain here, think about it as two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle...

• and this only within the covenant of marriage

Is that all? (as if that weren't enough) no... there is one more thing and it is something that is found back in the beginning of our text

• "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth," (Genesis1:28)

It is generally thought that the only commandment given to Adam and Eve was to not eat of the tree in the center of the garden. However many seem to overlook this verse and in doing so we overlook an important point. The natural union between a man and a woman, always allows for the possibility of procreation...
In summation, let us gather everything into a single doctrinal statement, and with that we will actually have a standard to measure the sexual union, and a reason why God condemns certain sexual practices.

God's Standard: The sexual union must be an expression of love between a male and a female within the covenant of marriage, that does not violate the natural use of the body, and has the end result of the possibility of procreation...

4.Self Application

Now The hard questions: Is what you find sexually gratifying falling within the parameters of what God has set in his standard? If not, do you have a right to judge others who are in the same position, no matter how serious you consider their sin compared to yours? Anything that is a violation of the standard set by God is a sin. Without getting any more graphic I challenge you to examine whether you conform to God's word in this area, especially if you intend to lay judgment on others

Here, to the best of my ability, are the answers concerning the tough issue of sexual immorality and, as always, you can feel free to disagree, but I am convinced that this is what The Bible says concerning the sexual issue. Feel free to dialogue with me if you disagree... Chao till we meet again...

Tackling the Tough Issues-Homosexuality Pt.2

As promised , this is the second part of a study I posted last on my site. I was going to include it in the previous blog, but it was too long where it stood and I could not guarantee that this one would be short either..
Last post, I attempted to do a topical study on what the Bible actually says about homosexuality, keeping the passages somewhat within their historical and cultural context. at least for myself, I have Determined the following,

1. The Bible is Clear in the disapproval of homosexuality
Let me pull over and park here There is a group within the emergent church movement that wants to tell you that the Bible is unclear concerning the issue of homosexuality. Here is a Quote from Brian McLaren, from the Christianity Today website blog:

"Frankly, many of us don't know what we should think about homosexuality. We've heard all sides but no position has yet won our confidence so that we can say "it seems good to the Holy Spirit and us." That alienates us from both the liberals and conservatives who seem to know exactly what we should think. Even if we are convinced that all homosexual behavior is always sinful, we still want to treat gay and lesbian people with more dignity, gentleness, and respect than our colleagues do. If we think that there may actually be a legitimate context for some homosexual relationships, we know that the biblical arguments are nuanced and multilayered, and the pastoral ramifications are staggeringly complex. We aren't sure if or where lines are to be drawn, nor do we know how to enforce with fairness whatever lines are drawn." -- http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2006/01/brian_mclaren_o.htm

Although I firmly believe that Gays and lesbians need to be treated with dignity and respect, I believe that you should also deal with them truthfully. They do not deserved to be lied to about what the Bible says concerning homosexuality. They deserve to know the truth, even if it is not what they want to hear, even it it brings their hatred on you for delivering the answer. We aren't sure where the lines are to be drawn? That is a cop out . If you had a friend who wanted to use Drain-o as a sugar substitute in his coffee, you would be a fool and a cad to tell him that you're not sure if the label says it's poison. How much more so the issue of homosexuality, which has ETERNAL ramifications for those involved...If you are asked, Tell them the truth, with patience love and respect., and if you honestly don't know yourself, you have no business representing the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the other side of the coin are those who know the truth, and wield it like a ball bat.
openly condemning gay and lesbians,with all the grace of wrecking ball. Sure there are some
who are militant in their lifestyle, but perhaps there are others who are genuinely seeking the truth, and hurting, and your blanket condemnation drives them further away from the Gospel of Grace. Issues like this should be bathed in much prayer. These are souls for whom Christ died.
Would you drive them further away from the truth with your thoughtless words?

The gay and lesbian lifestyle is not just going to vanish like some sort of fad. It is our responsibility to treat them as any other person, with Christian love, and respect. To give them the Gospel of Grace, In hope that God will provide an increase of souls for His Kingdom... But, at the same time, there is a Biblical standard, a line we must not cross. We must also uphold the standard set forth in God's Word concerning homosexuality, and not allow tolerance to become a issue within the ministry of the church.
Only by a proper understanding of Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit, through much prayer
can this be accomplished

Tackling the Tough Issues-Homosexuality

Homosexuality is a big issue in the country today, Gay man and lesbians are pushing for rights they feel they deserve, The right to adopt children, to be married, to be treated with dignity, and respect. Major hot topic issues, that should be dealt with with grace and tact. I live in a community where homosexuality is prominent. I have had gay and lesbian friends, even had a lesbian room mate for a few. They have always been friendly and courteous to me. I have never had an issue with any of them.

So it really grieves me when I see blanket condemnation of Gays and lesbians, from certain of those who are of the faith. Beating them in the head with the Bible, having a total disregard for the love of Christ, and driving them further from the opportunity to experience the saving Grace of God.
On the other hand, there are those who claim to be of the faith, who seek to embrace them in their lost condition, Showing them an acceptance of their lifestyle, in the love of God, and not warning them what the Bible actually says. They openly say that the Bible is not clear, or what the Bible does say is buried in a historical context of the given passages... They fail to deal with the gays and lesbians honestly, tickling their ears' and depriving them of the true message of love and grace that God offers them.
What does the Bible say about the issue of homosexuality? I am a christian, and although it has not been asked of me yet, This question will eventually have to be answered, especially in light of the fact that homosexuality is becoming more prevalent in our culture at a very fast rate.
I am Conservative in my faith. I believe the Bible is the Spiritual and moral standard, which with, to the best of my ability, I am to govern my life... So as Martin Luther once said, "My mind is constrained by the Word of God." In all issues of life it is my Duty to seek the mind of God, by careful study and application of His Holy Word. Please hear me out as I hopefully, with Grace and love, show what the Bible says concerning this issue of homosexuality. This is sparse overview, and for the sake of space and sanity, I omitted some references that did not have to do with the subject at hand.
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Beginning with Creation of man.
When God created Adam, He looked down on him and said "It is not good that man should dwell alone, I will make a helper for him" (Genesis 2)
The helper, was called woman. God established this relationship from the beginning, a relationship that consists of one man, and one woman. Adam and Eve. this was a relationship blessed by God, and He set the man and the woman on a course that would continue throughout the generations.
"Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1). In this relationship God also established the covenant of marriage. "Therefore man shall leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife and the two shall become one flesh"(Genesis 2).
So we see here from the beginning, God has established his plan for the covenant of marriage, and the purpose for sexual union, in which procreation is the end result. (remember this we will refer back to it.)
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The Fall
I do not feel I need to go in to detail about the fall of man, lets just say that That Adam and Eve biffed it. As a result The generations that followed, all spiritually separated from God, proceed to do that which was right in their own eyes, "Do as God says" changed to "Do what thou wilt." Man spread throughout all the earth, Erected great cities, Worshiped Idols created by their own hands or in their own minds. They totally abandoned their creator. The Apostle Paul commented on this in his epistle to the Romans.
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Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And 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 recompense of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1: 21-32)

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Now, before you start to cry that this is ripped out of it's historical or cultural context, let me say this.
Paul is not just talking about the culture of the Roman Empire. He said that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against ALL unrighteousness and ungodliness of men. (Romans 1:18)
The historical context is established in this verse. ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Looking at the text we see that because they refused to acknowledge their creator, He gave them up to uncleanness, to dishonor their own bodies. Vile affections, Where women and men changed the natural use to that which is against nature. The Bible says there is a natural use for your body, that natural use was established in the beginning, before the fall of man. It is one woman one man, in the covenant of marriage with the end result of the possibility of procreation. anything we do that violates God's original plan, is considered against nature...but we will deal with that more later
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Sodom and Gomorrah
The unrighteousness of Sodom and Gomorrah was so rotten that God chose to destroy the cities and the people therein. (Genesis 13:13) Two angels made the journey to Sodom where they met Lot, who brought them in to his house to protect them from the corruption of the people of the city.
Then all the men and boys of the city surrounded the house and demanded that Lot send the ANGLES out that they may know them.... and you know the rest of the story, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and years later. the word "Sodomy" came to mean the sexual act.which is preferred by those of a alternate sexual orientation...(Genesis 19)
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God chooses a people
Out of all the nations and kindreds and tongues God Chose Abraham and his linage through Issac and Jacob to set apart unto himself a people from which the Messiah would eventually come. These people, known as Hebrews, migrated to Egypt, endured years of servitude, took part in an
Exodus and wandered in the Wilderness of Sinai for forty years. During this time God gave his prophet Moses a series of commandments to keep. First there was only ten, and, guess what, The Hebrews Biffed it..Next Moses, received of God numerous other commandments to give to the people. These are recorded throughout the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy. among those commandments, concerning our subject God told his people.

- "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination"-Leviticus 18:22
and
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."- Leviticus 20:13

Now lets look at the cultural context. This is what God required of the Israelites, (Hebrews). they were Chosen by Him to be set apart and holy. The rest of humanity continued in the path described by Paul in Romans 1. This continued until the time of Christ.
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Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate in human flesh.
As we examine the four gospels we find that Jesus Christ is strangely silent concerning the issue of homosexuality, However, Jesus did say that more mercy would be shown the city of Sodom, (as grievous as their sin was), than the cities that reject Him or His disciples. but as for the act of homosexuality itself, he is silent.
In It's Cultural context, the Jews were still under the Old Testament covenant, and the issue of homosexuality among the people was still a capitol offense. Jesus originally was sent only to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," So homosexuality was not an issue among the people. He was not sent to deal with the Gentiles, where homosexuality was prominent in the Roman and Greek culture. God was still dealing with his chosen people, hence the curious silence of Jesus on the subject.
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The Church.
During The ministry of Jesus Christ he proclaimed that there were other sheep, not of this fold (The Jews) that would hear His voice and and follow him, (John 10:16) this was accomplished in the formation of the church. In Acts chapter two The Holy Spirit came into the upper room and the followers of Christ were filled with the the Power of God, and they spoke in other tongues.. Later the Apostle Paul was called as an apostle to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15). Paul would be dealing with people, who unlike the Jews, were well familiar with homosexuality in their culture.. This is reflected in the epistles that Paul wrote to the churches
"Know 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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God"- (I Corinthians 6:9) and Romans 1: 21-32 (previously sited,)
He also committed this to Timothy, Leader of the church of Ephesus. (I Timothy 1:9-10). It can be logically assumed that if it was not appropriate in these churches, that God's disapproval of homosexuality is universal. If you were to be one of God's chosen, practicing homosexuality, or any other sexual sin was defiantly on the "don't list."
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In Conclusion
The Bible is more than clear regarding the issue of homosexuality, It was not part of God's plan for covenant or sexual union from the beginning, nor does he approve of it among His chosen people in either the Old or New testament. It is, according to the Bible, an abomination and a sin.
If this is offensive I apologize, but it is God's word, and it would be unloving of me not to tell you the truth. To the best of my ability I did not fail to give you the whole council of God concerning this issue, and in my next blog I will deal with those Christians who: 1. have no right to judge you, and 2. Those who are outright lying to you in the name of Christian love and finally my opinion not only on homosexuality, but my opinion on sexual immorality in general... until then..Chao!