How Would Jesus Treat a Homosexual?

You may have at one time heard or said that Jesus never spoke about homosexuality. This statement is often used to argue, "Since Jesus did not condemn (let alone even talk about) homosexuality, we don't know how Jesus would respond to someoe who is gay." This reasoning from an absence of evidence is not entirely accurate. There is indeed a moment recorded in the gospels that illustrates how Jesus would have treated a homosexaul.

Firstly, we must look at homosexuality and its relation to Jesus' views on a God honoring marriage. When the Pharisees tested Jesus concerning His thoughts on divorce, Jesus says, "Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?'" (Matthew 19:4-5). It is clear that Jesus says that marriage in accordance with how God established it is between one man and one woman. He also says that this doesn't just apply to certain marriages, but all marriages; past, present and future. This is shown in how Jesus says that a man will leave his father and mother, meaning that the man's parents were one man and one woman. Jesus affirms how God designed marriage to forever be between one man and one woman.

God considers the sexual activities in marriage to be something sacred, and He has a specific title for the sin of committing sexual activities outside of marriage. This sin is known as adultery, and God commands His people, "You shall not commit adultery," (Exodus 20:14). Anyone who engages in sexual activity outside of God's design for marriage (to be between one man and one woman as long as they live) is committing the sin of adultery. Therefore, Jesus would say that two men or two women who engage in sexual activities would be adulterers, because they can never be married according to God's design.

The world wants to define marriage (as well as all of God's perfect designs)
according to its own sinful desires, yet God is the only one who can determine
lawfully what marriage is (Deuteronomy 22:13-30, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13).

There is a recorded account in the gospel of John where Jesus encountered a woman who was caught in adultery. Though it is not written that she was herself a homosexual, the sin of adultery in which she was caught is an overarching sin and it can include homosexual behavior. The Pharisees brought the sinful woman before Jesus and told Him that according to the law of Moses she should be stoned to death for her sins. Indeed it is written in the books of Moses, "If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death," (Leviticus 20:10). According to God's laws, that woman and the person with whom she engaged in adultery should be killed (though it should be noted the person with whom she was caught engaging in adulterous behavior is not brought before Jesus).

In response to this situation Jesus says to the Pharisees and the crowd ready to kill the adulteress, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," (John 8:7). At this the Pharisees and the crowd slowly drop their stones and leave (John 8:9). It's possible some of them had heard Jesus say earlier in His sermon on the mount, "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart," (Matthew 5:28). Jesus' words not only demonstrate how seriously God considers the sin of adultery, but also how every man and woman struggles with this sin, whether inwardly or outwardly.

After the Pharisees and the crowd depart, Jesus and the woman are left alone. Jesus says to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" (John 8:10). She responds that her accusers have left her, and Jesus says, "Then neither do I condemn you," (John 8:11). Jesus' declaration perfectly aligns with what John writes of Jesus' ministry, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son," (John 3:17-18). Lastly, Jesus says to the woman, "Go now and leave your life of sin," (John 8:11). Essentially with these words Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery that her sin has become a lifestyle to her, and she should never commit adultery again. It's not just that she shouldn't get caught in the act again, but that she shouldn't commit the sin of adultery in private or any place.

Don't let this image deceive you. Jesus does not follow sinful people
(such as adulterers, homosexuals, etc.) away from His Church, but rather comes alongside
sinners to call them to follow Him and abide in His Church (Matthew 10:39).

Those who commit adultery or glorify any sexual activities outside of marraige (including homosexuality) should be aware that Jesus calls such behavior sinful. He says that God will punish all those who are condemned by their sin (Matthew 25:41). The only way to be free from the just condemnation above all of our heads is to believe in Jesus Christ, turn away from our sins and follow His ways instead (Mark 1:15). Jesus can free anyone caught in their sins, no matter what they have done. We, as believers, must be wise about such things. It is written in first Corinthians chapter 6 from verses 9 to 11: 

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men [homosexuals] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

No matter what sin you have committed, God has caught you in the act, because nothing is hidden from Him. Yet, Jesus does not condemn you, because His desire is to save you from the condemnation you already face. Know that if you are an adulterer who revels in their adultery, then there is not a place for you in Heaven. You must be washed from your sins. If you confess your sins to Jesus, then God will forgive you (1 John 1:9). Jesus assures all who listen to Him that anyone He sets free from sin and condemnation "will be free indeed," (John 8:36). Leave your life of sin.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
—think about such things," (Philippians 4:8).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• WWUTT: Cast the First Stone
• PureFlix: Verses on Marriage

Proverbs 2:6 (Words of Wisdom)

 

Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

As human beings, we have a lot of wise words we say to each other; words that have been carried down from speakers of the past. Often times we use these old phrases without knowing their origins or their original context. It may be surprising, but most of the well known words of wisdom you and I have often said or heard from others are actually from the Bible. More so than just common phrases that originated in movies or songs, these phrases came from the mouth of God. The reason these old wise words of wisdom still ring true is because they were written to always be true. Take a look at just how many well known wise words and phrases have not been born in a human's mind but in the Lord's:

A Leopard can't change its Spots (Jeremiah 13:23)

Truthfully, these wise words are not an English proverb but are actually prophecy from God. In the book of Jeremiah God spoke to His children, "Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil," (Jeremiah 13:23). It's sobering knowledge that this phrase about people being set in their ways and resistant to change is about how we all are prone to sin and commit evil. The only one who can change us is God Himself.

The Writing is on the Wall (Daniel 5:5-6)

In Daniel chapter 5 there is a wicked king who defiles God's instruments of worship. The hand of God appears before the king and writes an inscription on his wall. The king has Daniel interpret, and Daniel says that the inscription reads the wicked king has been weighed, measured and found wanting (there's another common phrase). God wrote that the wicked king's days had been numbered (one more bonus phrase). If anyone present wanted to doubt that the wicked king would indeed be removed by God's hand, they'd have to avoid looking at God's latest redecoration of the king's palace. The writing was on the wall, and the truth was clear to all who needed to know.

Pride goes before a Fall (Proverbs 16:18)

It's possible some of you thought this phrase came from Shakespeare, but it's actually from more than a thousand years before his time. It is God who said to the writer of this proverb, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall," (Proverbs 16:18). Many of us likely know bedtime stories about people who wanted to put themselves above others only to have their lives come crashing down. That's how it also is in the Bible with anyone who ever wanted to put themselves, their ideals or their nation above God. You can bet that's how it still works today, because God never stopped opposing the proud, while showing favor to the humble and oppressed (Proverbs 3:34).

Go the Extra Mile (Matthew 5:41)

Maybe your schools or your boss have told you this to encourage you to do more than is expected, but it is Jesus Christ who coined this famous phrase in His most famous sermon. Interestingly, though, this phrase was not originally spoken to encourage academic or professional excellence. Jesus spoke to His audience, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person," (Matthew 5:38-39). Jesus then said, "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles," (Matthew 5:41). Notice Jesus says the one going a mile was forced to do so. It is evil that has compelled this person to force another to walk a mile against their will, but God says that His children are not to resist this evil. Instead, to put evil to shame we are to not only suffer willingly but be willing to suffer even more, just as Jesus did for us.

Better Late than Never (Matthew 20:1-16)

Not just for keeping deadlines, these words of wisdom are above all for your spiritual well being. The principle of this matter comes straight from Jesus. He told a story about a man who needed work done in his field, so he hired some men. As the day progressed, he realized he didn't have enough men to get the job done, so throughout the day all the way into the evening he continued to hire men to work for him. At the end of the day the man who owned the field paid all of the workers the exact same amount, no matter when they started. When it comes to following God, it's better to start late than never at all.

A House Divided against itself cannot Stand (Mark 3:25)

Raie your hand, if you thought it was Abraham Lincoln who said this. It makes sense why you might have believed that, as it's his name that constantly follows this quote on billboards, museum walls and in textbooks. Well, honest Abe was no fool on this phrase's origins, as he studied God's Word from his youth and throughout his life. This phrase in particular shows up in three of the gospels, where the Pharisees accuse Jesus of having powers from satan. Jesus responds, "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come," (Mark 3:24-26). It was very wise for Lincoln to remind the citizens of the United States of this wisdom from God, as any well written human speech will eventually fade "but the word of our God endures forever," (Isaiah 40:6-8).

Fight the Good Fight (1 Timothy 6:12)

Many political movements and activist groups like to say that their cause is noble and they rally up their followers to keep fighting their good fight. It was Jesus who said only He and His ways are good (Mark 10:18), so there is really only one true good fight. It's the one Paul urges his servant Timothy to fight. He writes to Timothy to flee from the causes and desires of the world, and to instead "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called," (1 Timothy 6:11-12). We, as believers, have been called to fight this same fight for the sake of eternal life. We fight against the lofty opinions and ideas of the world, and "we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Sure is interesting to see that all these familiar words of wisdom are from God Himself, and there are plenty more like them. There are also plenty of well known words of wisdom that are not from God and are ultimately not wise words at all. It can be hard to tell whether what someone is saying truly is wise or foolish, which is why a Christian's primary source for wisdom should be God's Word. It is written, "the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding," so everything spoken from God is trustworthy, useful and wise (Proverbs 2:6).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Open Bible Info: Wisdom
• Wide Open Country: Common Phrases in the Bible
• Lifeway Research: Common Phrases in the Bible