Christian Dialogue: Adulterer versus Homosexual
Jerald: claims to be a Christian who has been divorced just once and remarried in his local church. He is against homosexuality and believes it is a sin.
Arnold: also claims to be a Christian who has never divorced but plans to marry his male partner of several years. Arnold has nothing against Jerald’s sexuality.
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Jerald: I have nothing against you personally Arnold, but the Bible is very clear that homosexual behavior is a sin. That is expressly made clear by God’s judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah.
Arnold: That interpretation is highly controversial as it does say in the Bible their sin was the sin of inhospitality (Ezekiel 16:49-50). But, it is absolutely evident that the Bible says adultery is a sin in the 7th Commandment (Exodus 20:14). Jesus made it very clear that divorce is wrong and especially that remarriage is then adultery. Jesus said the only legitimate right to remarry is if your spouse has died, which for you, Jerald, is not the case.
Jerald: Well, Arnold, that is where one has to avoid jumping to conclusions. Yes, I did divorce, but after much counsel from fellow Christians and my pastor. The dynamics of the situation was so horrible that they considered my desire for a divorce as the best option. Plus, they encouraged this new and wonderful marriage relationship, which I have now been in for over 20 years and which we have been blessed with a boy and two wonderful girls.
Arnold: So, Jerald, what exactly made this new marriage of yours legitimate? King Herod married his brother’s wife and Herod seemed to have a great marriage with lots of harmony and with a daughter that was so charming he offered her half his kingdom. But, John the Baptist told Herod the marriage was a sin and for this, ended up having his head chopped off.
Jerald: Arnold, you need to get your history in the right order. The church wasn’t established till after Jesus rose from the dead. That’s Old Testament stuff and doesn’t apply to the Church Age.
Arnold: Really? Wasn’t Sodom and Gomorrah Old Testament?
Jerald: Okay, Arnold, but there are some verses in the New Testament that clearly infer that Homosexuality is a sin, like in the book of Romans (Romans 1:26-27).
Arnold: Not in my version Jerald. The Queen James Version (QJV) was created by scholars who looked carefully at the originals and found there was a bias against homosexuals which tainted their interpretive renderings.
Jerald: I’m not going to get into the translation debate. I am a member of a legitimate church with good Christian people in it. I went through a ceremony with my current wife and received the blessings of the pastor, the congregation, and if you would like, I could produce to you the certificate from my State that says I am married. And as far as I’m concerned, God gives us these officials and governments and when they put their stamp of approval on it, it is the same as God putting His stamp on it.
Arnold: Thanks Jerald, you made my point far better than I could have! That’s why we homosexuals are pushing for the States to give us our certificates. That will legitimize our homosexual marriages just like it has legitimized your adulterous marriages. Then we can have “God’s stamp of approval” on a marriage certificate, adopt kids, be Boy Scout leaders, and be accepted in the church just like you are with your adulterous marriage, which with that certificate makes it all blessed and legitimate in the sight of God.
Jerald: You can say all you want, Arnold. Homosexuality is a sin and my current marriage is not. You need to ask God for forgiveness and stop your homosexual activities. Once you do that, I’m sure you will see the light.
Arnold: That’s doesn’t sound either rational or fair, Jerald. It seems to me there is only one of two choices:
- Either that certificate legitimizes both your adulterous marriage and my homosexual marriage or
- I have to give up homosexuality and you have to give up your adulterous marriage.
What can we learn from this dialogue?
We have no right to our sexuality. It was created by God and given to us according to His guidance. That is why Jesus calls for everyone to embrace the spirit of celibacy, which will free anyone from falling outside of God’s decree regarding human sexuality. If you are unable to do that, then sex might very well be one of your gods and it is time to examine yourself to see if you are actually a true Christian (II Corinthians 13:5).
If you embrace the spirit of celibacy, to where sex no longer has a pervasive hold on you, then a study of the Bible, while seeking God’s guidance will bring all things into a clear focus. You need to surrender your sexuality to God along with all the trappings involved which try to anchor you to a certain position, including one’s wife, children, parents, siblings, and other relatives, then look to the Bible for answers.
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 see also Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29-30
If God has touched you right now, it will be a mistake to go away and treat this as some intellectual exercise. You will end up being like this person:
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. James 1:22-24
This is a call for action to everyone who has not surrendered their sexuality to God. I invite you to pray right now to God. Something along this order:
Dear God. I am weak, but you are strong. I cannot control my sexuality because of all the temptations and desires that surround me. I give myself to you: my desires, my thoughts, my future. Guide me according to your word. Help me to always call upon you for help when temptations arise, including thoughts and images I sinfully allowed into my life. Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from these evils. Help me as I study your word to understand your plan for me, a plan of righteousness. Give light to my path with ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to perceive all you have for me. I pray this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Ralph Wendt