Devotional for Monday November 24th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, or swindlers, will inherit God’s kingdom.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Can a person be gay and be a Christian?”

 

Can a person be gay and be a Christian? I must be nuts to tackle this question. Some of you are probably going to end up on my front lawn tonight with torches and pitchforks.

 

Oh well, here it goes: The answer is, “maybe”; “possibly”; and “it all depends”.

 

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul tells us that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. But he also says the same about immoral people in general, and about those who commit heterosexual adultery, and those who treat anything as an idol, and of people who steal, and of people who are greedy, and of people who are deceitful and who swindle others.

 

Also, this list was not all-inclusive. Paul intended it to be representative of sins in general. You can go ahead and assume that even if your personal sins are not on that list, Paul intended for you to understand that he includes them as well. Look at the passage again: the phrase “the unrighteous” covers any sins he happened to leave off his list.

 

So with that understanding we realize that if homosexuals are excluded from heaven, then we all are. And yet we know that even though we do still sometimes commit sins, if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins then we are saved and we are going to heaven, therefore we will in fact inherit God’s kingdom. So what could Paul mean?

 

He was writing about unrepentant sin. He was illustrating that people who live in a perpetual pattern of unrepentant sin, be it adultery or greed or homosexuality or idolatry, are probably not really saved. We know that one of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to convict us of sin. If a person really does have the Holy Spirit of God in their heart then that person should at least be sorry for the sin they have committed and have a genuine desire to do it no more. If we don’t feel sorry and convicted about sinful behavior, we have to wonder where the Spirit is. Evidently He’s not in our heart or we would feel convicted.

 

Is it possible to be gay and to be a Christian? Yes. Just as it’s possible to be a greedy businessman and be a Christian; just as it’s possible to be an alcoholic and be a Christian; just as it’s possible to be a glutton and be a Christian. But if you are a Christian, you should feel convicted of such behavior and if you don’t feel convicted, you have to wonder about whether or not you are really a Christian.

 

Tomorrow we will consider the issue of gay marriage.

 

God Bless,
Pastor Jim
 

Devotional for Friday November 21st

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord – how he may please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the things of the world – how he may please his wife – and his interests are divided.” 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Being single is ok.”

 

I read an article in the newspaper the other day which reported that the U.S. Census Bureau has discovered that more than half of all the adults in the USA today are not married. Some have never married, others have married and divorced, others are widows or widowers, but more than half of the adults in our country are not married.

 

Being single is often viewed as an unfortunate condition that we need to help the single person correct. This can be especially true in Christian circles. But that’s not an accurate description of singleness and it’s also not Biblical. Certainly there are some singles who are lonely and who long for a partner to go through life with, but many others do not feel that way.

 

Years ago I was speaking about this very thing with a middle-aged single woman in our church in California. She was an attractive professional woman who had a rewarding and fulfilling career in public service. She was active in civic organizations, and she was also very involved in the life of our church. Her relationship with the Lord was deep, she had a circle of close friends, and she had hobbies and interests such as music and reading and sports. In short, she had a good life. The comment she made to me which has stuck with me all these years was, “Pastor, I live alone but I am not lonely. I love my life. It is rich and full and rewarding and I’m very happy.”

 

A false assumption many of us make is that people have to be married or in a meaningful romantic relationship in order to be happy. That argument is frequently made when it comes to the subject of same-sex relationships. It is often said that it would be unfair and perhaps even cruel to suggest that the individual with a same-sex attraction should opt for a single and celibate life rather than a homosexual relationship.

 

But it is not cruel or unfair – it is Biblical. Same-sex attraction is real and it does require discipline and intentionality to control, but it can be done and it can be done well. And, such a life can be happy, rich, and fulfilling. In 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 the Apostle Paul recommended the single life for the sake of deeper spirituality and greater service to the Lord.

 

Same-sex attraction is undeniably real, but so are many other attractions and desires which the Bible forbids us to act on. It is possible to bring all such desires under the control of the Holy Spirit and to then live a life within Biblical boundaries. Tomorrow we will consider the stories of several Christians with same-sex attraction who have chosen and are very happy with the single life.

 

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Thursday November 20th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh.” Galatians 5:16-17 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “We do not have to act on our desires.”

 

The truth is that we all have strong desires we are repeatedly tempted to act on. Some of those desires run deep and last a lifetime. Homosexual desire can certainly fall into that category.

 

As we learned yesterday from the writing of Pastor Sam Allberry, if you struggle with same-sex attraction that is something about you, but it is not you. If you are a Christian then same-sex attraction is not your core identity and it does not have to define, dominate, or drive your life. Just as with any other unbiblical desire we have, the Bible instructs us to control it by living under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.

 

That’s often not the answer we want. It’s seldom easy, but it is always right. Sam Allbery is just one of many sincere Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction but who have made the decision to bring that desire, right along with all other desires, under the control and dominion of the Holy Spirit.

 

In his book, “Love into Light” pastor Peter Hubbard tells the story of the great Christian writer C.S. Lewis who lived most of his life as a celibate single man. (He was married for a very brief time later in life, but after a short marriage his wife suddenly and tragically died.) There’s no indication that C.S. Lewis had any homosexual tendencies himself, but within his university community of professors and writers in England during the time of World War Two, there were many homosexuals whom Lewis knew and was friends with.

 

Lewis gave much thought to how a Christian with same-sex attractions could live a life that was Biblically obedient and which brought honor and glory to Christ. He concluded that homosexual desire needed to be handled exactly the same as any other desire of the flesh that was contrary to the expressed will of God. He wrote, “The physical satisfaction of homosexual desire is sin.” But then he drew a parallel between the ongoing struggle to gain control over same-sex desires, with the man born blind in John 9. Lewis concluded that any unnatural desire, any physical disability, any sickness, or any struggle with sin, can become a vehicle through which that person shines for Jesus in the way in which they deal with it. He said that our struggle with any of those issues “must be offered up to God.”

 

Yes same-sex attraction is real and deep and difficult. But so are many other things we struggle with in this life and in all of it, we can honor and glorify and magnify God in how we deal with it.

 

How does a person with a strong same-sex attraction accomplish this? Tomorrow we will discuss the issue of singleness. Many people (not just those with a same-sex attractions), live single and celibate lives. What does the Bible have to say about this?

 

God Bless,
Pastor Jim
 

Devotional for Wednesday November 19th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.” 1 Peter 2:11 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Your desires do not define you.”

 

Sam Allberry is the author of the book “Is God Anti-Gay?” He serves as the Associate Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Maidenhead, United Kingdom. Sam is also a celibate gay man. He has experienced same-sex attractions for as long as he can remember and for many years he acted on those attractions.

 

Eventually though, Sam came to the point when he had to admit that there simply was no way his lifestyle could be Biblically justified. He realized he had deep desires which he could no longer in good conscience act on. Through prayer, Bible study, and deep thought he came to some interesting and helpful insights.

 

First, Sam finally came to see that although in the Bible homosexual desires are clearly portrayed as being unnatural and contrary to the will of God, they are described that way right along with a whole host of other desires that are also unnatural and contrary to the will of God. That being the case, he decided he needed to exercise discipline and refrain from acting on those homosexual desires, just as all people are to refrain from acting on the desires of greed, or over-indulgence in alcohol, or heterosexual lust, or any of the others on the list. You see, if we keep homosexual activity in its proper Biblical context, and include it right along with all the other sinful acts we are to refrain from, we see that a person’s response to it needs to be the same as to any other sinful desire. This is what Peter was writing about in 1 Peter 2:11.

 

Allberry writes, “We live in a culture where sexuality is virtually equated with identity: “You are your sexuality.” We are encouraged to think that to experience homosexual feelings means that you are, at your most fundamental core, a homosexual … My own perception is that I struggle with greed much more than I do with sexual temptation.”

 

Allberry’s point is crucial, “Your desires do not define you.” As a Christian it is your identity in Christ that defines you. Desires and behaviors contrary to the expressed will of God are symptoms of living in a fallen and broken world but in your inner-most being, you are defined by your identity in Christ, not by your sexual attractions, or over-eating, or your preoccupation with material possessions, or any other desire or behavior.

 

This subject of our true identity in Christ and how it relates to same-sex attractions is just too important to address in a single devotional message. There is much more we need to consider. Therefore we will continue this discussion tomorrow.

 

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Tuesday November 18th

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

Our Bible verse for today: “Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard. The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:16-17 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Knowing what you believe and why you believe it gives you a quiet sense of confidence.”

I love the scene described in Isaiah 32:16-17. The prophet was painting a picture of the Messianic Kingdom. He was explaining that at that time righteousness and noble values will reign, and that will produce in God’s people a quiet sense of confidence.

You may remember from earlier in this series when I explained how impressed I was with the tone that was set at the ERLC conference on sexual ethics. Even though the subject was serious and difficult, the tone was friendly and kind, compassionate and even upbeat. One reason it was that way was because the conference leaders and attendees had a quiet sense of confidence. They had taken the time to prayerfully think through the issues and they did their homework so that they were thoroughly familiar with both sides of the issues. That then gave them a quiet sense of confidence. Because they were sure of what they believed and why they believed it, they were able to calmly and rationally discuss the issues without getting upset or defensive.

That is why I am writing this devotional series on sexual ethics. Far too many Christians do not have enough accurate information to enable them to feel confident in explaining their beliefs or discussing the difficult issues. That lack of confidence often leads people to feel insecure and defensive. That then leads to the use of overheated language and silly clichés like “God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.” (Pardon me while I groan).

Please don’t say things like that. It only makes you look simple-minded and silly and it reflects poorly on the rest of us as well. Also, please don’t come across as hard-hearted, mean-spirited, or insensitive. Doing so won’t win any arguments. It will only further inflame the situation and it will actually drive people further away rather than drawing them near.

My goal in this series is to provide all of us with enough accurate information so that we will feel confident discussing the issues with those who may disagree with us. The starting place should always be compassion, kindness and love. Then move-on to some basic Biblical truths. Then be ready to give good answers to some of the more difficult questions, such as those we have discussed so far and which we will continue to explore as we go forward in this series.

Tomorrow we will think some more about the very real struggle of same-sex attraction and what a person can do about it.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Devotional for Monday November 17th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Does science prove a genetic cause for sexual orientation?’

 

Whether or not scientific research points to a genetic cause for sexual orientation is one of the most hotly debated topics in the scientific world today. There have been a large number of studies conducted and they have produced a wide range of findings – much of it contradictory.

 

The truth is that the studies have not been able to provide conclusive proof one way or the other. That’s why, simply as a matter of intellectual honesty, the American Psychological Association (APA) felt compelled to write the statement we read in yesterday’s devotional. But likewise for the sake of honesty, I must tell you that the APA also said that they believe the overall trend in the research is leaning in favor of a genetic cause, even though science has not yet been able to prove it. 

 

But then, along comes another study like the one I am about to cite from, the results of which make a strong case for there not being a genetic link.

 

In 2010 researchers in Sweden working for the “Swedish Twin Registry” surmised that if sexual orientation is a matter of genetic design, then in the case of identical twins there should be observable evidence of identical sexual orientation. Their premise was because identical twins come from the same egg and share the same genes if sexual orientation is genetic, then if one of the twins is gay the other should be also.

 

The study looked at 71 sets of identical twins where at least one was living a homosexual lifestyle. What they discovered was that in only 1 out of 10 cases were both twins gay. In 90% of the cases one twin was gay and the other was not. If there was a genetic cause for sexual orientation then the results should have been exactly the opposite.

 

As far as many in the scientific community are concerned the jury is still out regarding whether or not people are born gay. However when all personal bias is removed from the conclusions, honest scientists admit that despite the overwhelming number of studies which have been conducted, they have been unable to demonstrate a genetic cause for sexual orientation.

 

For Bible-believing Christians this comes as no surprise. As we’ve already observed, the Bible provides us with no reason to believe that God would create someone gay. And despite science’s best efforts, they have not been able to prove otherwise.

 

And yet, same-sex attraction is real and it is deep. So what’s the answer for a person who struggles with a same-sex attraction? We will consider that next but first, it’s time for another attitude check. 

 

God bless,
Pastor Jim    

Devotional for Saturday and Sunday November 15-16

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

Our Bible verse for today: “For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Does science prove God creates people with a same-sex attraction?”

I think part of the confusion regarding the issue of sexual orientation lies in the definitions of “orientation” and “design”. The dictionary says that an orientation is simply “A direction; to make familiar with or adjust to a situation.” In other words, you are oriented towards something when you set out in that direction or when you adjust towards a purpose or thing. Whereas design is: “The purposeful arrangement of parts or details; a reasoned purpose; intent.”

So as you can see, there’s a big difference between orientation and design. Orientation is a decision based upon a choice. Design is part of the inherent nature of the person or thing in question. I find myself “oriented” in the direction of many behaviors I would be better off without, some of them stemming from as early in childhood as I can remember. I also find that the more I engage in those behaviors the more oriented in that direction I seem to become. But that doesn’t mean God designed me that way. Those behaviors are not part of my created design.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has studied this issue in great detail. Many scientific studies have been conducted regarding the nature and source of sexual orientation. After compiling and reviewing a formidable body of scientific research the APA came to some interesting conclusions.

First, with respect to what a sexual “orientation” actually is they defined it as, “an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.”

But as to where this attraction comes from the APA was honest when they wrote,

“Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.”

The question we’re considering here is not if same-sex attraction is real – it is. There is also no question about whether or not it is deeply rooted within a person – it is. The question is whether or not God designs some individuals that way. When the APA describes sexual orientation they do so by describing patterns of desire, not genetically driven pre-dispositions. The desires may be deep, and they may be part of lifelong patterns of behavior, but it cannot be said they are genetic.

The APA’S honesty is helpful but we’re not yet finished allowing the scientific community to speak for itself. There is one more very compelling study we need to be aware of with respect to genetic design and same-sex attraction. We will take a look at that tomorrow.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Devotional for Friday November 14th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.” James 1:13 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Would God create someone gay?”

 

As we consider the issue of sexual orientation and same-sex attraction we must do so with kindness and compassion, but also honestly and accurately. Same-sex attraction is very real and it runs deep. Most people who have a same-sex attraction report having had those attractions from an early age. Likewise, those who demonstrate characteristics and behaviors normally attributed to the opposite gender have usually demonstrated those qualities beginning early in life.

 

Therefore the question is an important one, “Are people born gay?” As we consider the possible answers to that question we must be careful to be Biblically and scientifically honest and accurate. Let’s not try to make the Bible or science say more or less than they really do. Today we will consider what the Bible does and does not say about this issue.

 

The fact is that there is no passage in either the Old or New Testament which would lead us to conclude that God designs people with a same-sex attraction. As has already been shown, the pre-sin sexual ethic established by God was of a man and a woman expressing human sexuality within the covenant of marriage. That sexual ethic was affirmed in the New Testament by Jesus, Paul, and Peter. Additionally, the six passages we have looked at (Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10) all clearly prohibit same-sex sexual relations.

 

That being the case, would God then actually design certain individuals to engage in the very behavior He Himself has expressly forbidden? Not only would make no sense for Him to do that, but it would be cruel to design that desire into a person but then forbid them to act on it. But there is nothing we know about God from the Bible which would cause us to conclude that He would do something like that.

 

Same-sex attraction is undeniably real but the fact is that there simply is no Biblical basis for concluding that God designs and creates individuals to be sexually attracted to members of the same sex. If He did, then the statement James made in James 1:17 would not be true. God would in fact be creating real temptation for certain individuals.

 

And yet observing human behavior, even from an early age, seems to suggest otherwise. It can seem as if same-sex attraction must be something that develops in the womb and is therefore of a Godly design. Today there are even loud voices claiming that science “proves” people are born gay. But does it really? Is that really an accurate and verifiable claim about what science actually “proves”? Tomorrow we will let the scientific community speak for itself.

 

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Thursday November 13th

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

Our Bible verse for today: “… He who created them in the beginning made them male and female, … For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5

Our thought for today:  “There are a number of good reasons for Jesus to have not directly mentioned the issue of homosexual behavior in His teachings.”

First, as has already been noted in an earlier devotional message, in this passage in Matthew chapter 19 Jesus restated and affirmed the pre-sin sexual ethic established by God in the Garden of Eden. By doing so He implicitly ruled out every other sexual activity that falls outside of the God-ordained pairing of a man and a woman in marriage. There were many other expressions of human sexuality which are forbidden by God and which Jesus also did not mention. But when he affirmed the pre-sin ethic established by God in the beginning, He effectively ruled out every other potential sexual activity – including homosexuality.

Second, Jesus didn’t mention homosexual behavior because He didn’t need to. His ministry while on earth was carried out almost exclusively to the Jews geographically located in Biblical Palestine. Homosexual behavior wasn’t much of an issue in that culture. Such practices were rare among the Jews and therefore it wasn’t necessary for Jesus to teach that lesson to those people.

However, earlier in the Old Testament, when the Jews were in such close proximity to cultures where homosexual behavior was prevalent, the issue was addressed by Moses. Likewise later in the New Testament, when the Christian faith began spreading outside of Jerusalem and beyond Palestine, the people of God once again found themselves in close proximity to cultures where homosexual behavior was common. So God had the Apostle Paul restate and affirm the Old Testament prohibitions against it.

The words of Jesus are without question the most important words in the Bible. But they are not the only words in the Bible. God gave us the entire Bible for a reason. Jesus Himself did not speak every word that needed to be spoken and He did not teach every lesson that needed to be taught for all people in all places for all time – but the Bible in its entirety does. When the people of God needed to be told that God forbids sexual relations between people of the same gender, He had Moses do so in the Old Testament and He had Paul take care of it in the New Testament. Therefore it wasn’t necessary for Jesus to speak to it.

Tomorrow we will begin a discussion about sexual orientation. Are people born gay?

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Devotional for Wednesday November 12th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are also his offspring.” Acts 17:28 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Honest gay scholars agree on what the Bible really says.”

 

Before we leave the very important subject of the accuracy and reliability of the historic understanding of what the Bible says and means with respect to homosexuality, I want to share with you a couple of quotes from gay Bible scholars.

 

In Acts 17:28, when Paul was in Athens attempting to make his case for the truth, he used the words of some of their own intellectuals to help make his case. I am doing the same here.  

 

Dr. Lewis Crompton is a homosexual professor who knows his Bible. He is openly gay and an advocate for gay causes, but he is disturbed by the intellectual dishonesty of those who attempt to make the Bible say and mean things it clearly does not say and mean. With respect to the attempts to distort Paul’s words in Romans 1:26-27 Dr. Crompton writes:

 

“According to this interpretation, Paul’s words were not directed at ‘bona fide’ homosexuals in committed relationships. But such a reading, however well-intentioned, seems strained and unhistorical. Nowhere does Paul or any other Jewish writer of this period imply the least acceptance of same-sex relations under any circumstances.”

 

Dr. Luke Johnson, pro-homosexual professor of the New Testament also agrees that the New Testament clearly teaches against homosexual relations in all respects. Dr. Johnson simply chooses to dismiss what the Bible says:

 

“We are fully aware of the weight of scriptural evidence pointing away from our position, yet place our trust in the power of the living God to reveal as powerfully through personal experience and testimony as through written texts.”

 

Johnson further writes that he believes the specific commands of Scripture on this issue are “fallible, conflicting, and often culturally conditioned.” Both Crompton and Johnson agree that the Bible says what it says and the meaning is clear. They simply choose to dismiss God’s clear teaching on the issue and they allow personal experience and desire to trump Biblical teaching.

 

Johnson and Crompton are wrong to dismiss the clear teaching of Scripture of course, but at least they’re being honest. If you have to be dishonest to make your case then there must be something fundamentally wrong with the case you are trying to make.

 

Tomorrow we will address the issue of why Jesus did not specifically mention homosexual behavior in His teachings.

 

God Bless,
Pastor Jim