Some good friends have a homosexual adult son and others a homosexual adult daughter. They love their children but the Biblical values of Mum and Dad must pull them in the opposite direction to the lifestyles of their son and daughter.
An irresistible compulsion?
If homosexuality is not just a matter of choice i.e. if it involves 'divine programming' such that there is an irresistible compulsion over which human control is impossible, as the ultimate author of the Bible how could our loving Creator God speak so strongly on the matter?
'Set up' to fail?
For God says:- Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. And that: men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans chapter 1 verses 26/27: 'old' unaltered NIV).
Has not God spoken perversely and unjustly in having 'set them up to fail'?
God is not like that
But that is not the action or language of God who reveals Himself in Scripture. He is not whimsical, unfair or unjust but is loving, holy and righteous. So far as I am aware neither this son or daughter in question is Christian, and if so both presently stand outside the Kingdom of God as do our children, neither of whom are either homosexual nor Christian. Prayers are continually offered up for them.
A widespread practise
There is an historically recent, clearly observable widespread mood sweeping our world that homosexuality is a legitimate alternative lifestyle, and a succession of politicians have publicly endorsed it. That it is okay to be gay. The only problem with that view is that God says the exact opposite.
'Fleeing' (God's solution) may be difficult but is not impossible
God says: Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins "against" his own body. (1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 18).
The Bible will probably not be read by the unbeliever who instead wants to 'do their own thing'. The rebel in each of us still dominates the unbeliever who wants to remain "free from the control of righteousness" (Romans chapter 6 verse 20). Against this rebelliousness every believer also continues the daily struggle.
His unalterable plan
From the relevant day of 'creation week' until now, God-ordained sex has been exclusively reserved for His plan for marriage. Since then marriage has only ever been intended to be monogamously heterosexual.
Nowhere in Scripture do we find divine approval (contra: limited tolerance in ancient Israel re polygamy) for any sexual activity outside of monogamous heterosexual marriage. God's church is not a democracy where modern views rule.
It is a theocracy where His unchanging standards reign. They are not to be altered or relaxed according to the culture of the day.
Accordingly, neither casual nor even long-term heterosexual nor homosexual 'non-marital' sex, neither adultery nor the office party 'one night stand' is acceptable to Him. There was only ever to be Adam and Eve: never Adam and Steve nor Evie and Eve.
Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day (and still says to us today): You have "let go" of the commands of God and are "holding on to" the traditions of men...Thus you nullify the word of God. (Mark chapter 7 verses 8 & 13). Among you there must not be even a "hint" of sexual immorality. (Ephesians chapter 5 verse 3).
Only two mindsets
Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death...The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind "controlled" by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans chapter 8 verses 2 & 6).
The notable difference between the two mindsets is that one has acknowledged God's presence in their life and gratefully accepted His forgiveness graciously offered, while the other defiantly ignores it and so stands condemned, a situation the individual alone can reverse.
Only two destinations
The former will ultimately go to undeserved spectacular life eternal amidst a heavenly multitude that no man can count, whilst (shockingly) the latter will go to never-ending horrifying loneliness. Jesus died and rose again to save us from that fate far worse than death.
Neither the sexually immoral...nor adulterers...nor homosexual offenders nor [others there cited] will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. (1 Corinthians chapter 6 verses 9-11). Were, but no longer.
Thus a choice/decision made, even if not consciously or seriously considered (or initially even recognised), can develop into a stronghold whether it be of alcohol/other addictive drug, gambling, sex 'addiction'(?)(contra: self control) or homosexual lifestyle. All decisions have consequences. By making a choice/decision we also choose the consequences which must be experienced.
In view of God's pronouncements above, continued pursuit thereof must flow from a choice made rather than constitute irresistible compulsion, 'else He must be a liar. Just as the person who develops the stronghold of alcoholism can with God's help live a cleansed life, so can the person who may have a homosexual leaning with the same divine help also live a cleansed life. In all cases of stronghold, deliverance must be asked for.
At life's end there will be only two kinds of people: those who say to God: "Your will be done" and those to whom God says: "Your will be done". (C. S. Lewis)
It's not too late
Sadly, by language, dress and mannerisms many now choose to flaunt what the Author of Life calls "shameful lusts" involving 'indecent unnatural perversion'. What He requires of each of us is to flee from all sexual sinning "against" our bodies and be "set...free from the law of sin and death".
Gavin Lawrie is a retired Barrister and Solicitor from Tweed Heads NSW and author of the book 'THE EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION: Uncovering The Faulty Science Of Dawkins' Attack On Creationism." He is married to Jan with two adult children and they are grand parents.
Gavin Lawrie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/gavin-lawrie.html