Theological Thursday --- Homosexuality and the Church (Part 4)

Well, just this week, homosexuality was in the news again with the liberal crowd screaming "intolerance" (though no mention of their intolerance toward anyone who thinks differently than they do). Now we should be "shamed" to stand up for what God's Word says. This is why I have spent the last 4 weeks on this topic...it is hot in the news and will only get hotter in the coming months/years. So to recap what the Bible says about homosexuality:

1) It is a sin

2) It is not wrong to call it a sin

3) We are all sinners and born with a sinful nature

So that brings us to the final point...how should the church react to this issue? Should homosexuals be treated differently within the church since we are all sinners? Well, the answer is yes...but it has nothing to do with "homosexuality", it has to do with "unrepentant sin". Consider Matthew 18...

If one of my followers sins, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you. If that person listens, you have won back a follower. But if that one refuses to listen, take along one or two others. The Scriptures teach that every complaint must be proven true by two or more witnesses. If the follower refuses to listen to them, report the matter to the church. Anyone who refuses to listen to the church must be treated like an unbeliever.

So there you have it...from the mouth of Christ, speaking to those who call themselves believers. (if someone is an unbeliever, they really have no motivation not to sin...believers do out of profound gratitude for what He has done for us). So if a homosexual walks into the church and they call himself a believer, the sin should be confronted 1-on-1...and if they refuse to listen it should be taken to the church leadership, and if they still refuse to repent, they should be treated like an unbeliever.

This is where a lot of churches go wrong..."treating someone like an unbeliever". It does not mean we push them out the doors or throw them on the street. We see them as someone in need of God's love and forgiveness. Embrace them...pray for them...ask God to change their hearts. Based on Paul's letter to Timothy, they should not hold leadership positions nor membership until they are willing to repent.

Again, I said this is an "unrepentant sinner" issue because this isn't just limited to homosexuality (although unfortunately many churches make it that way). If someone is living in sin (premarital sex) it should be handled in the same way. If someone is known to be cheating people in their business...same thing. If someone is in any sin that they will not repent and give to God...same thing.

Yes, we all sin. But those who call themselves "believers" should be seeking after God and repenting of their sins. Those in the church that don't seem to want to acknowledge they are a sinner...as Jesus says...you must assume that they haven't truly come into a personal relationship with Him.