Condemn, verb, meaning express complete disapproval of, typically, in public, and to sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death. Condone, verb, meaning accept and allow (behavior considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue, and to approve or sanction (something), especially with reluctance. Two absolutely contrasting words. Two radically different ways of living. These two words sum up the debate between Christians and the World, especially regarding homosexuality. Christians, to condemn and not condone, and the World, to condone and not condemn. But which side is right? The world argues to condone and not condemn. When asked what makes something seen in the eyes of Christians as wrong ok to them you will usually be given one of three answers: 1) There are things far worse, 2) It hurts no one, and 3) They’re a good person. Each reason seems legitimate on the surface but let's dive deeper and see if these are factually accurate. First, there are things far worse than homosexuality. Yes, pedophilia, murder, and adultery to name a few seem far worse than homosexuality. However, when men and women are leaving boyfriends/girlfriends, breaking off engagements, and divorcing spouses to be with someone of the same sex are they not committing adultery? Matthew 5:28 says to look upon another individual with lust is considered committing adultery in your heart. Galatians 5:19 states, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest (displayed/exhibited), which are Adultery, fornication, uncleanness (the impurity of lustful living), lasciviousness (unbridled lust)” and 1 Corinthians 6:9 states, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.” There is a reason homosexuality is lumped in with all of these. Because it is a combination of all of them. So, is homosexuality really a lesser sin?
Second, it hurts no one. Often when someone comes out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community family members, friends, and acquaintances will disown them, cutting them out of their lives due to either personally held beliefs or other personal reasons. Also, those who are part of this community will cut out those who show the slightest hint of disagreement with this lifestyle calling that person toxic. In today’s culture cutting out toxic people is considered brave, bold, and a form of self-love. However, among the 4.5% of Americans who identify as LGBTQIA+, according to a Gallup Poll, 39% of them reported having a mental illness, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The list of mental illnesses included psychiatric disorders (depression among them), substance abuse, and suicide. All being linked to discrimination, societal stigma, and denial of their civil rights (lack of condoning from society). This does not include the distress caused to those who were cut out of their lives. So, does homosexuality really not hurt anyone?
Last, they’re a good person. Given the evidence from the previous arguments it would stand to reason homosexuals, in fact, are not good people. They may give clothes to the homeless, feed the hungry and poor, and volunteer in their communities and animal shelters. However, this does not negate the fact they commit adultery and hurt others and themselves due to how they choose to live. A further fact to be presented is there is no such thing as a good person. We are all equally bad people. Romans 3:10 tells us, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” No one is a good person no matter how much we want to point to outwardly things someone has done that appears good. Our hearts create a plethora of sins which man cannot see, but God can.
Despite the evidence presented against each of the three arguments given the world will always uphold homosexual behavior as right and those exhibiting it as courageous. Why? Romans 1:28, 32 tells us, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate (wicked/shameless/immoral) mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” This is why there are pride parades, court cases, and marches. Therefore the World will always condone this way of living and never condemn it.
The Christian argument is a simple argument, that which God condemns and Christ died to forgive is to never be condoned. With all the evidence provided in the previous sections, we can see how sinful homosexuality is, and as Christians we are never to condone this type of lifestyle. God condemns all sin, and those who refuse to turn away from their sinful life. Proverbs 12:2 states, “A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord, but a man of wicked devices (sin) will he condemn.” John 3:19 clarifies this, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness (sin) rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Homosexuality is an evil deed and a sin of evil deeds and is, therefore, condemned by God with death as punishment, both physical and spiritual. However, there is a rescue from condemnation. In John 5:24 Jesus gives amazing hope to those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. He says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.” There is hope in salvation through Christ and Christ alone who died to atone and forgive our sins. You only need to call upon his name, repent (turn away from sin (homosexuality included)), and believe.
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