Doesn’t Make It True

 

 

“Just because you believe it doesn’t mean it’s true.” They were startling words. I was a new believer and ignorant of the Word of God. But why would I believe something that wasn’t true?

 

Looking back I can see that my beliefs were based on what other people, those I loved and respected, thought. Or they were taught to me by people I thought were authorities on the subject. It turned out they were as uninformed as I was. The funny thing is that now I can’t remember the specific thing I was believing that was not true, but I certainly learned the lesson someone was trying to teach me. Check everything with scripture. I used to believe a lot of things that were not true.

Lately, it seems that everywhere I turn I am reading about homosexuality and peoples’ views on what the Bile says about it. I am amazed at how people just make up what the Bible says.

This week I read a quote from a Reverend of a local church who said that homosexuals are “born that way.” A gay man said that he and his partner were married “before God.” Another article quoted an Old Testament verse but then said that there was nothing in the New Testament so God has obviously changed His mind. Does he think God wants to be in sync with the culture? They didn’t say but it indicates a belief that the Old Testament is irrelevant. (Just because you believe it doesn’t make it true.)

I went through the same struggle many people are going through now. I only came to know the Lord and started studying the scripture in my late thirties. I did not care if someone else was homosexual, I did not concern myself with what God thought about it, and was offended by people who thought it was a perversion of some kind.

Now, after some serious study, I see that it is a perversion of the Word of God to think that I could know better than God what is good for His creation. The most important thing I have learned about God is that all  of His precepts and commands, His instruction, and His correction of us is for our good. He is not a selfish, unkind God who wants to take our fun, the opposite is true.

We will be more peaceful and joyful, loving and loved, if we do things His way. This is true even for people who do not consider themselves born again. God has ordered society around the family. He has told us to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. (Genesis 1:28) He has given us the Ten Commandments to live by, they are a standard of living He sets for us.  When we obey He blesses us, when we fail to, He will not bless us; in fact He says we will perish. (Deuteronomy 30:16-18).

So, what does the Bible say about homosexuality? A lot. It does start in the Old Testament – but God has plenty more to say about it.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Leviticus 20:13

Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall 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, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,  understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,  the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:8-10

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:26-28

 

..and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them,” Romans 1:32.

I know that it is politically incorrect to point these things out. I also know that homosexuality is not the only issue the culture in America has compromised according to God’s Word. There is living together without the benefit of marriage, abortion, and pornography, gossip, and even foul language. All things our culture approves while God has clearly instructed us against such things – for our good! As Christians we cannot give our hearty approval to any of them.

Obviously, we also cannot divorce ourselves from every person who ever sins – we would have no interaction with others at all, we all sin. But, we do have to speak up when people pervert the Word of God by saying that He has made homosexuals “that way” or that when someone chooses to be married in a same sex relationship that it is “before God” (because He sees it does not mean He approves of it).

The Bible sets my standard for right and wrong.  I am glad I have a reliable place to go to check my standards. It is not just what I think but it is what God has left us.

Please, if you have not studied it, don’t tell me it is wrong.  Just because many in this world do not believe it is true, doesn’t mean it isn’t.

Are you willing to study it?