I recently read a blog post that distressed me greatly. I cannot remain silent when it comes to the word of God. The word of God is truth and it is life to us. Psalm 119, the longest Psalm, repeats the notion that His word is life. Psalm 119:25 states, “My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!” Again in verse 31 the Psalmist wrote, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways.” There are many more like this that connect life to the word of God, which is precisely why I can’t keep silent nor should any of you. The word brings life and sin brings death; contrary to what a popular blog post has implied.
Thus, any one who preaches that homosexuality is a sin is doing so in order that people may have life. To imply that preaching this is what causes many suicides is completely unbiblical. That a Christian would believe that God’s word causes death is heartbreaking. God’s word tells us otherwise, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Rom. 6:23). So, stating homosexuality is a sin does not lead people to anything besides repentance. No Christian wants people to die, especially those who are in sin. This is why we must stand firm with the truth found in the scriptures, on all issues. Oswald Chambers said, “If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ.” I fear too many believers think that not choosing a side is the way to peace and to loving our neighbors. But, there are many times we must choose between Christ and people—between speaking the truth and offending or denying the truth and offering our sympathies. Chambers continues, “Consequently, [we] cannot always be charming and friendly, but must be willing to be stern to accomplish major surgery. We are sent by God to lift up Jesus Christ, not to give wonderfully beautiful speeches.”
The first thing that disturbs me is the belief that God’s word leads to death, but the second is the belief that we cannot know truth. How can a believer believe this? Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6). If you believe in Christ—if you know Christ then you know truth. As a Christian you can not truly be a postmodern and should be aware of how postmodernism has affected your beliefs. James demonstrates the falseness of this belief in verse 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Perhaps, the most concerning part of this belief is what it says about God. God is all powerful, but not powerful enough to teach us? Oh that we would believe in God who is above all and able to do anything he pleases—that we would believe in God, who with his hands, stretched out the heavens (Isa. 45:12)! We have a God who is so great that only his hand was needed to create the heavens. So, surely he is able to overcome our sin and unbelief and teach us all things through his Holy Spirit.
The debate about homosexuality is about something far greater—it is about life and death. It is about believing the word of God or denying the truth. The loving thing to do is to speak the truth. The Holy Spirit will give you discernment to know where, how, and when you should speak. There is a time for everything so consider if you should remain silent in a given situation, but do not forget to speak up. Speak up because one message leads to life and the other to death. Finally, consider these words of Jesus, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” (Matt. 5:18-20).