Does God Hate Homosexuals?

It was a heinous crime, to say the least. Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, was beaten and murdered during a robbery. The media reports that Matthew was deliberately targeted by his murders because he was homosexual, and has labeled it a hate crime. Gay activists, always on the lookout (like any activist) for an opportunity to promote their agenda, have decided to blame Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family, Family Council, and the Christian Coalition as being responsible for an increase in hate crimes in the US.

I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears when Katie Couric of The Today Show, while interviewing Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, reinforced those inflammatory, baseless charges. It’s obvious that Ms. Couric didn’t do her homework. Anyone who has spent more than 30 seconds researching the organizations Ms. Couric attacked knows that they not only do not condone violence, they distinctly and publicly oppose violence.

On the other hand, who could blame a casual observer for that false assumption? Protesters from a church in Topeka, Kansas, showed up at Matthew’s funeral with signs bearing slogans so offensive that I’m not even going to repeat them. This handful of hate-mongers did more in that hour to tarnish the nation’s view of Christianity than all of the fallen televangelists in the history of broadcasting.

Does God hate homosexuals, as this group purports? That’s not what the Bible says. They are fond of quoting out-of-context scripture to support their claim, just as homosexuals are fond of quoting other passages out-of-context to support their views. Both groups have chosen their proof-texts carefully, to avoid other passages of scripture that are at odds with their claims.

Does this mean that I believe that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is okay? No, not at all -- in fact, nothing could be farther from the truth:

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.(Leviticus 18:22, NNAS)

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NNAS)

These verses, and many more like them, support the claim that God hates homosexuality, and considers it a sinful practice. If you stop here, it would be easy to conclude that the hate-mongers are right. But, look at the very next verse:

"Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."(1 Corinthians 6:11)

God’s Word offers the opportunity for redemption, forgiveness, and grace along with the pronouncement of judgement. God’s agenda is clear: to seek out sinners, and offer them the free gift of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Does God hate homosexuality? Yes, He absolutely does.

Does God hate people who practice homosexuality?

NO, HE ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT.

God loves homosexuals, and invites them to come to Him, to allow Him to wash, sanctify, and justify them, and to let Him heal them of the deep wounds in their hearts that cause them to be pulled toward homosexuality.

If you are a homosexual, let me make this clear: There are many in your ranks that want you to believe that "God made you that way." That is really a sophisticated form of denial -- with the hope that, if you say it enough, it will overpower your inner sense that the lifestyle is unnatural and wrong. If, for just one moment, you will take the bold step away from that denial, and listen to your heart, you’ll realize that "God made you that way" is a lie.

None of the things you do to insulate yourself from that truth will bring you the peace and love that you are craving -- but, if you let Him, Jesus will. He’ll help you work through those wounds in your heart that have made you homosexual, if only you’ll allow Him to come into your life.

"He heals the brokenhearted, and bandages their wounds" (Psalm 147:3)

Used by permission © 1997-98 by Dan Case. All Rights Reserved.

See Dan&rrsquo;s Web site at: http://www.case-studies.com/