Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”
Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “We must know what we believe and why we believe it.”
Increasingly today the authority and accuracy of historical interpretations of the Bible are being challenged in an effort to normalize homosexual behavior. Many of the attacks are sophisticated and on the surface, somewhat convincing. That, combined with the ever-increasing pressure society is placing upon the Christian community to be “tolerant”, is leaving many Christians confused and searching for answers. Therefore it’s essential that we know what the Bible really does say about the issue and that we are prepared to respond with accurate and carefully thought-out answers.
One objection that is commonly put forward is that the Old Testament prohibitions regarding homosexual behavior no longer apply in New Testament times. And if we’re going to insist that they do, then we are obligated to obey all the other Old Testament prohibitions as well – such as the dietary laws in Leviticus. How do we distinguish which Old Testament laws and principles carry over into New Testament times and which do not?
The answer is found in the New Testament itself. If an Old Testament law or principle was restated or affirmed in the New Testament then it applies to us today; and it if wasn’t, then it doesn’t. The dietary laws and the prohibition against homosexuality are two issues that make the case nicely.
In the New Testament Jesus in Matthew 15:11; Luke in Acts 10:9-15; and Paul in Romans 14:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-31 all made it clear that the Old Testament dietary restrictions no longer applied. But in Romans 1: 26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10 Paul affirms and reinforces the Old Testament prohibition against same-sex relationships. Therefore the dietary laws no longer apply but the prohibitions against homosexual behavior do.
Obviously this point only matters if a person cares what the Bible does or does not say. Not everyone does. But I’m writing these devotionals primarily for a Christian audience who does care. The primary purpose here is not to win an argument but instead to provide Christians with good answers to difficult questions.
Tomorrow we will give a little more thought to the accuracy and reliability of the historical interpretations of these Bible passages. Then we will move on to the issues of sexual orientation, the apparent silence of Jesus, issues of civil obedience and disobedience, and much more.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 