Introduction
“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).
The goal of this article isn’t to condemn or point fingers, otherwise we would and should be pointing fingers at ourselves, as the Bible points out saying that there is no one who is righteous, no one who hasn’t and doesn’t sin and fall short of God’s holy and righteous standards by which we are to live our lives by (Romans 3:23).
This was actually the Apostle Paul’s position concerning himself when we wrote these words to his protégé Timothy.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Timothy 1:12-13a).
Paul actually thought of himself as being worse than every other person out there when it comes to being a sinner. He said that he was the chief of sinners, and that there was no one who was and is worse than he (1 Timothy 1:15).
But it was in and through the mercy and grace of God that God forgave and saved him, even though he did such horrible things, and that’s because he did all these things out of ignorance and unbelief, that is, he never consider that his actions were wrong.
“Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (1 Timothy 1:13b-15).
This is the point when it comes to the issue of homosexuality. Those who adhere to the homosexual lifestyle really don’t know that what they are doing is wrong. This is because they have accepted society’s, that is, the cultural definition of what is right and permissible, like living a homosexual lifestyle, and what is wrong, bad, and evil, which according to our society and culture applies to anyone that disagrees with this particular point of view.
Of this philosophy, or point of view, God is not ignorant, understanding that this is exactly what humanity does. And God makes sure to let us know that He knows precisely what we are doing. This is brought out quite succinctly though the writings of Isaiah the prophet.
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21)
What does all of this point to?
It is saying that while culture says something is right or okay, it doesn’t make it so. In fact, the truths purported by society have been in flux from the beginning of time. What is true or right today will more than likely be different tomorrow, and society’s truths change with the wind of politics and attitudes.
Basing our lives upon such fluctuating opinions that are based upon the politics of society isn’t anything we should be living our lives by, especially when it concerns our eternal lives.
The Bible, however, is God’s word, and it can be trusted to live our lives by. In fact, we can trust our eternal lives and immortal soul based upon the truths that are contained within. (See The Bible As God’s Word in “Doctrinal Cliffnotes”)
Therefore, it is by God’s word that such acts as homosexuality, adultery, and fornication, that is, sex outside the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, is just as wrong as lying, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, and the list goes on from there.
“But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching” (1 Timothy 1:8-10 New American Standard Bible, NASB).
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21n NASB).
It is with this clearly in the forefront that this article is being presented.
What the Bible Says
As I begin this section of our topic of homosexuality I do so understanding that it may very well offend those who have chosen to live this lifestyle. And while it is my goal to speak the truth of God’s word, I want to do so from an attitude of love.
The Bible commands, “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Sodom and Gomorrah
When letting Abraham know why the two angels were called to visit the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord said it was because the outcry of their sin was grievous, that is, the sin was extremely great and terrible.
“And the Lord said, ‘Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous’” (Genesis 18:20 King James Version, KJV).
Whatever the sin was, it was blatant and offensive.
When the angels arrived it says that the inhabitants tried to rape them, that is, they wanted sexual relations with them forcibly.
There are those who say that the sin or Sodom and Gomorrah was inhospitality as mentioned in Ezekiel 16:48-49. However, what happened doesn’t allow for the conclusion that this was the outcry, not unless we conclude that having homosexual sex and potential rape is a valid and the only definition of inhospitable.
People who refute the position that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah wasn’t homosexuality also say the sin was in their desire to have sex with angels.
But, nowhere in the text did the inhabitants know they were angels. Instead, they only knew them as men, and the sin wasn’t that of inhospitality, but of their desire to have sex with them.
They said “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally” (Genesis 19:5).
The word, “men,” in the Hebrew is used for mortal men, those of the male gender, not of angelic beings. Further, the word, “know,” in the Hebrew language is one of sexual intimacy, the way Adam knew his wife, Eve, (Genesis 4:1). It is also used in such cases as rape, both homosexual and heterosexual (Judges 19:22-25).
Homosexuality being the sin that caused such an outcry that was grievous to the Lord, would then be the natural interpretation given the text.
There are those, however, that want to point to Jude’s account, saying that wording, “strange flesh,” in which Jude uses is what the angels did, and this is what is referenced when looking at the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.
“And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:6-7).
The Greek word for “strange” means “other,” or “different.” It is with this understanding that the pro-homosexual interpretation is that of having sex with angelic beings.
But as pointed out earlier, the Genesis text reveals that the inhabitants didn’t know that these two were angels, but rather mortal men.
Also, the angels’ sin as mentioned in Jude, can in no way be concluded that it was because of their having sexual relationships with mankind. It says they left their “proper domain,” or, “first estate,” that is, their position in heaven.
This is brought out in 2 Peter 2:4, saying, “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.”
The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was that of desiring homosexual relationship, and that they were willing to do violence and rape to have these desires met.
To support this conclusion, next we turn to what the Lord said concerning the act of homosexuality as found in the Law of Moses, or what the Lord told Moses to write concerning His holy and righteous standards for life.
The Law of Moses
We find these laws in the book of Leviticus.
“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable” (Leviticus 18:22 New International Version, NIV).
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads” (Leviticus 20:13 NIV).
These are as straightforward as anyone can get. God calls the act of homosexuality, in any of its forms, as a sin. Further, it is called detestable, or an abomination, which in the Hebrew language can be translated as something disgusting.
In other words, the act of homosexuality is disgusting in the eyes of God. But to leave it there takes away from the entirety of what God is saying. In God’s eye, all sexual sins are considered to be detestable and an abomination. These include, incest, polygamy, adultery, homosexually, and bestiality (Leviticus 18).
“Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you” (Leviticus 18:24).
The punishment for all these sexual sins, which includes homosexuality, is that of being “cut off from among the people” (Leviticus 18:29). To be cut off doesn’t mean to be separated from, but to be put to death, which is supported by Leviticus 20:13.
The law homosexuality was an offense against God. It, along with the other sexual sins, was not to exist at all in Israel.
If God had intended homosexual behavior as a viable sexual alternative, then He would not have condemned it as detestable, or an abomination, along with the other sexual sins listed out in our Levitical passages.
What should also be noted is that all these sexual sins are talked about in negative terms, never positive, which would have indicated that God was disapproving of them.
Such judgment against homosexuality and the other sins should not come as a surprise, however, because the purpose of God’s Law was to reveal sin as sin, and then lead us to God’s answer and solution for sin.
“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24)
The Teaching of the Apostle Paul
While there are passages in the New Testament that prohibit sexual immorality, which would include all acts outside the way prescribed by God, that is husband and wife, male and female, in the monogamous relationship of marriage.
This was confirmed by Jesus saying, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:5-6).
The act of homosexuality, however, is discussed mostly by the Apostle Paul in his letters to the Roman and Corinthian churches, and to his protégé Timothy, which we looked at in our introduction, and which lists out homosexuality along with other sins.
Romans 1:20-32
Paul’s teaching in the passage isn’t centered upon the act of homosexuality, but rather the general ungodliness of humanity in how they go about suppressing God’s truth that is right before their eyes.
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” (Romans 1:18-19).
First, Paul looks at the act of idolatry and their worship of nature. He then turned his attention to how they also began worshiping themselves, that is, worshiping and serving God’s creation more than the Lord God as the Creator (Romans 1:23-25).
Therefore, God gave them what they wanted, that is, He turned them over to their own sinful desires manifested through acts of sexual immorality in which God describes as degrading what He so wonderfully created (Romans 1:24).
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator … Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:25, 28).
And to illustrate his point, Paul looks at the act of homosexuality as an example of how they exchanged this truth given by God for the lies perpetrated by the world.
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:26-27).
Paul makes it clear that the act of homosexuality is not the way God intended sexual relationship to take place. The act or sin of homosexuality is against what God had set forth in the beginning, that is, between a man and a woman in the monogamous relationship of marriage.
Further, it has nothing to do with someone loving someone else; it is something God put in place in the beginning, where He designed men and women with different parts, who being together as one reveal the image and the likeness of God.
“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).
But this form of idolatry and depravity cannot be left as being just the act of homosexuality, because that would not be fair, and the fullness of what Paul is trying to get across.
Look at what Paul continued to say.
“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:29-32).
Depravity and sin come in many forms, with homosexuality being one out of many.
But it’s this last sentence that really hits home on all counts. It’s that those who are caught up in these sins know they is wrong. Deep inside every person is the knowledge of God and of what is right and wrong. Why, because God has placed His law deep within our hearts, and is something our conscious convicts us of.
“They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them” (Romans 2:15).
Yet, Paul’s last statement in Romans 1:32 reveals that it isn’t confined to only those who commit the acts as being guilty before God, but also those who, while they do not participate, give approval of those who do.
Clearly, Paul is speaking of idolatry in our passage, and states how the sin of homosexuality best exemplifies this idolatry. Also, because of their desire to worship the creature, or in our case, the flesh, they have also opened themselves up to all sorts of depraved or sinful behavior.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
In this passage Paul is speaking to unrighteous acts and those who practice such things that were prevalent in Corinth. Paul tells the church not to be deceived in thinking that such unrighteousness is acceptable in the eyes of God.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 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” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Before we take a look at the words Paul uses for “homosexuals,” and “sodomites,” it should be noted that homosexuality in the eyes of God is not greater or lessor than the act of fornication, adultery, and idolatry. They are also not greater or lessor from the sins of stealing, coveting, drunkenness, abusiveness, and swindling.
Paul, however, does use two words in describing the act of homosexuality.
The first word used for homosexual in the Greek language is the word for “soft,” or as the King James Version states, “effeminate.” When speaking of a person, it references both men and boys who are used for homosexual acts. This is why several translations use “male prostitutes” instead of the general term of homosexuality.
But what must be understood is that while this is a form of homosexual behavior, it doesn’t exclude the act itself, just as prostitution doesn’t give permission to the act of fornication, that is, sex outside the biblical mandate of marriage.
The word, “sodomite,” in the Greek language simply means a man who engages in homosexuality.
In the end, those who continue the practice of fornication, adultery, and homosexuality, along with all the other sins listed, will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Yet, neither homosexuality, nor the entire litany of sins, is beyond God’s ability to forgive and those caught in their trap into His kingdom. This is powerfully brought out in our passage when Paul said to those of the church, “And such were some of you.”
This implies that there were former homosexuals within the Corinthian church that were no longer living within that lifestyle. Further, it would have been by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not in any human power or program that they were now living sexually pure lives, either in celibacy, or in a heterosexual marriage.
Also, knowing that we are all sinners, this should temper the Christian response to those who sin, homosexual or any of the other sins, because we were and are no better.
So how does this forgiveness and God’s acceptance work? Through coming into a new, born again, relationship with Jesus Christ, or as Paul pointed out being washed clean, forgiven, and sanctified, or set apart for God’s glory.
Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Jesus’s Teachings
When it comes to the teachings of Jesus, those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community claim that Jesus never taught on or condemned homosexuality.
But this is not quite correct. In fact, Jesus definition of sin is greater than what the Law itself states, enveloping it in a much broader stroke.
He begins by affirming the Law, and therefore it’s definition of sin, including the sin of homosexuality, and as part of the law, it would not become void or be overturned.
Jesus said, “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned” (Luke 16:17 NIV).
In Matthew 5:19, Jesus went on to say, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
But Jesus went on to say that the act itself isn’t culturally formed, but rather it is due to hearts given over to sin.
“What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23).
Jesus actually doubled down on this saying that while we may not commit the act, if we’re thinking about it we’re committing the sin in our hearts. And to explain He uses the sin of murder and adultery.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment … You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28).
Jesus was making it clear that God’s standard for right and wrong doesn’t end with the act, but includes our thoughts, which stem from our hearts (Mark 7:21).
Further, Jesus confirmed God’s design for marriage as outlined in the Old Testament, which is a marriage between a male and female, husband and wife, in a heterosexual monogamous union.
Jesus said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh so then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:5-6).
Jesus is going back to God’s original design in Genesis, and remember that Jesus said not one point of the law, no matter how small it may be, shall be overturned (Luke 16:17).
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
Is Homosexuality the Worst Sin?
Let’s consider the severity of the sin of homosexuality, with what God says about lying.
Lying is mentioned quite often; and some say that outside of idolatry it is the most mentioned sin.
God in the Ten Commandments condemns it; “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
It is also one of the seven deadly sins that God hates.
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Finally, lying is, like homosexuality, and abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 12:22).
Homosexual acts, on the other hand, while also considered to be an abomination, are only mentioned in seven biblical passages, and it isn’t one of God’s top ten, nor one of His seven deadly sins.
Maybe to say it another way, with God no one sin is worse than another. It is all sin and keeps us falling short of God’s glory, or of God’s holy and righteous standards for life (Romans 3:23).
Is Homosexuality Genetic?
Many within the LBGT community have argued that homosexuals have a genetic predisposition towards homosexuality. Basically, they are saying that some people are just “born gay,” that it is a part of their genetic makeup.
Yet, there is no real consensus amongst the scientific community for such a conclusion.
The American Psychological Association said, “There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”
If I could clear this argument up, I agree with the LGBT community on homosexuality being a genetic disposition, but not as people might think. I think they are just as genetically disposed as every human being is disposed to sin. Sin is in our genetic makeup, it is part of our DNA, and it started back in the very beginning with Adam and Eve.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
And while the church and others try to find the specifics as to why a person becomes a homosexual, such as physical and/or sexual abuse, lack of parental influence, and early childhood infatuations to name a few, the truth is that while these may contribute, sin was already present.
And so, just as fornication, lying, cheating, anger, selfishness are a part of our sinful genetic makeup, so then is homosexuality.
What About Love?
Whenever this argument is presented, I think of the song lyrics by Tina Turner, “What’s love got to do with it, what’s love, but a second-hand emotion.” Love is an emotion, a feeling, and isn’t what we should base our lives and our eternity upon.
Feelings can be manipulated by our own fleshly desires, by society’s norms, and by Satan, the god of this world. Feelings can lie, therefore, just because it feels good doesn’t mean that it is right or proper. Instead, living our lives based upon our feelings can lead people into wrong and hurtful actions and attitudes.
Further, just because we may love something doesn’t make what we love right. We may love our neighbor’s spouse, but having sex with them out of love doesn’t make it right. It’s adultery, and coveting what is not ours, and no matter how much we may love, it’s wrong.
Many point to and use the Scripture that since God is a God is love, He therefore does not condemn any act of love.
But this isn’t the type of love that God commends. The love that God displays is a sacrificial love, in that He loves us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, all of them, even the sin of homosexuality, so that those who believe in Jesus Christ will not eternally perish, but rather have eternal life with Him in heaven.
What this reveals is that true love does what is best regardless of the expense. Jesus loves us, in that while we were still in our sins, He came and died for us so that we can live forever with Him (Romans 5:8).
Consider the love that Jesus showed the woman caught in the sin of adultery. He spared her life, but said to her, “Go and sin no more.”
What this calls for is confession, calling sin for what it is, no matter if they mistakenly think that it is love, and then turning away from it.
Conclusion
When it comes to the topic of homosexuality, right or wrong, there are plenty of stories of those who have left either the LBGT community for Christ, or those who left the church for the homosexual lifestyle. Everyone also has an opinion as to whether it is right or wrong, evil or good.
In the end, these all boil down to experiences, and while there will always be stories and opinions concerning this topic, there is one place where we must turn to in order to properly evaluate it, and that is the word of God, the Bible, that has not changed over thousands of years, and has been proven to be an accurate gauge of the human condition.
Therefore, as stated in the beginning, the purpose of this article was not to bash homosexuals; rather it was to take an honest look at what God says, both in the sin of homosexuality, but also in God’s love for the homosexual.
God’s desire is for none to perish, but rather that everyone, homosexuals as well as the rest of sinful humanity, repent and come out of the darkness and into the light and love of His Son, Jesus Christ, and then into an eternity with Him in heaven (John 3:16; Colossians 12:13).
While God’s righteous standards are set for all time, so is His grace.
Therefore, Christians need to be gracious by understanding that homosexuals, as well as all those who are sexually immoral, not to mention sinners in general, are victims and prisoners of the world’s darkness, and the god of this world, Satan.
Paul said, “If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Forgiveness, and a new and renewed life, is only available through having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Paul said to the church in Ephesus, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).
I know that once this reaches publication, there will be many who will take shots at what I have said, cherry picking what the Bible does say to fit their own agenda and purpose.
Paul acknowledge the same saying, “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30).
But when the fullness of what the Bible says, and using the scriptures correctly, that is in harmony with other Scriptures, and in the context in which they were written, hopefully I can say like Paul; “have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
The prophet Hosea said, “Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them” (Hosea 14:9).
As you continue to explore this topic, first keep your eyes squarely focused upon Jesus Christ, who is the author, founder, perfecter, and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Second ask for the Holy Spirit to lead you into the truth of this matter. Of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).
Testimonial: The road to Damascus.
We all seem to have one. Most often believers will refer to that journey as their “testimony”. They will tell you an intensely personal story of repentance and redemption. And really, that’s always our focus when talking about a personal encounter with Jesus. What you don’t often hear about are the traveling companions we encounter as we travel that road. In keeping with the road to Damascus theme, Saul had his encounter and became Paul. His road didn’t really end there. That’s where it all began. He had many friends and helpers along the way. Traveling companions provided by the Lord to help shape and mold him into a perfect tool in his Maker’s hands. Paul’s relationship with Barnabas stands out in scripture because he was the bridge between Paul and the community of believers (who were afraid of Paul). Barnabas helped Paul make that transition from persecutor to evangelist.
I’ve had several companions on my journey. One of them was (and is) Dennis Lee. When we first spoke, I was angry and told him so. He caught a lot of my anger with God, who had confronted me about my lesbian lifestyle. It was all I had ever known. When I unloaded on Dennis he didn’t bat an eye. But he also didn’t give an inch regarding God’s word. He has become one of my most trusted and precious friends over the last 19 years. Never once have I experienced Dennis speaking in anger or judgment of anyone. He gently and persistently told me the Truth. Always Truth from Dennis. You can count on it. In many ways, Dennis has been a Barnabas to me. If you delve into scripture you’ll discover that the two men didn’t always see eye to eye. Yet in the end, they remained friends and brothers. So it is with us. God’s word and truth can be hard to swallow when there’s a spotlight on our sin. I would encourage anyone who thinks that Dennis is being harsh or judgmental regarding their lifestyle to have the courage to really take a look at what’s driving their discomfort and (most likely) anger. If you look at it honestly and full on, you’ll see yourself looking back at you from the mirror. So, rather than shooting the messenger, look at Dennis and see a faithful, caring companion for your journey.
Copyright © 2019 by Dennis Lee
Hot Topics: “Homosexuality”
by Dennis Lee
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Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures quotations are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights reserved.