About lawyers and homosexuality

I love the law series, Boston Legal. It's funny, clever, informative and oh so entertaining. Watching the series often has two effects on me. The first of which is short term namely, the effect of speaking quickly, briefly, loquacity and periphrasis. The second of which has a longer effect, namely the arousal of convictions. The episode I saw last night was a case about the "don't ask, don't tell" policy the US army employs. It's basically a policy which states that those who join the army will not be asked about their sexual orientation but if they happen to be homosexual they are expected to hide it. This case got me thinking about a rather taboo topic in Christianity: homosexuality. This topic has often been dismissed without much thought in many churches here in Malaysia. Perhaps it leaves too much of an icky feeling in most people. But one must wonder, how many homosexuals have turned from the Faith because of this matter. So here's MY THOUGHTS on this topic, I know some of you may think differently but hear me out.

Firstly, my stand on the topic is, homosexuality is a sin. Why do I say so? Because the word of God says so. Yes I know, many theologians have argued that many verses that speak about homosexuality are misinterpreted. I too agree that many verses quoted about homosexuality is wrongly used but many verses still stand. An interesting example which brought a revelation to me is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra as an example of God's wrath against homosexuals. Ezekial 16:49 - 50 says this about Sodom and Gomorra " 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen." It didn't say anything about homosexuality. Some even argue that sodomizing foreigners was a way of insulting foreigners (I can't remember which verse I saw this in but if I do I'll post it here). So they were possibly heterosexual men who wanted to insult the angelic visitors.

This brings me an important point. I believe there are no homosexuals, just people who have the temptation to commit acts of homosexuality. Homosexuality like any other sin is an action. The tags that go along with these actions causes people to identify with those acts making them believe that that is who they are. For example, a person who lies is called a liar and if a person identifies with the title they believe it is who they are. The Bible says the power of life and death lies in tongues. What we confess will come to pass if we believe it. So if a homosexual confesses he or she is, he or she will become just that. The reason why I bring this point up is because many homosexuals may think that God hates who they are. But the truth is God doesn't hate anyone, he just cannot stand sinful actions. But even with this being the case, our sins are removed by the sacrifice of Jesus.

So my message to all Churches, stop exiling homosexuals and making them feel like scum. They are ordinary people who commit acts of sin just like everyone else. Remember the challenge of casting the first stone. It's easy to condemn something when we cannot relate to it. We don't take lying, speeding, gossiping and the likes very seriously because we are often caught doing the same. But when faced with something which we have never done before, we are often too quick to condemn the person caught. However, Jesus showed us the way. Look at ourselves and see that as humans "All have sinned fallen short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And in the words of Paul "if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently" (Galations 6:1a). Jesus died to save all, homosexuals as well. If homosexuals can't find love in the church who's very foundation is grace and love, where can they find it? You don't need to agree with their actions, just love the person and let God do the work in their lives.

As for my message to homosexuals, remember that "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ" (Romans 8:1). Jesus loved you and died for you just like he did for everyone else. No sin can ever separate us from the love of God, homosexuality included. But at some point, He will ask you to change. During those times, don't turn away from Him. He's saying this out of love. Instead, ask him for strength. Remember, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God bless :)