By Paul Coviello

 

Christians in America are alienated and vilified by the media, and special interest groups whose agendas contradict the holy Word of God. Homosexual activists, in particular, make vehement accusations of bigotry, intolerance, hatred, and homophobia.

 

Truthfully, such allegations are silly, but homophobia strays so far from reality that it is purely ridiculous.

 

 

As a professing Christian, I can state categorically that Christians don’t ponder homosexuality enough to become scared; we simply do not dwell on homosexuality! It is not an inexhaustible topic of conversation in our churches, we don’t flock to our churches to find safety from homosexuals, we don’t compose long anti-gay sermons and studies in an attempt to mask some supposed latent homosexuality within ourselves, and we don’t spend our time together whispering about the sordid lives of gay men and women who we know.  We don’t do it, simply because our devotion to Christ precludes us from engaging in frivolous and unprofitable endeavors!

 

Any fixation then must exist within the minds of homosexuals who have some latent paranoia about Christians!

 

I think that I know why. Though unregenerate men suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness, they are keenly aware of their woeful state of being. They intuitively know that they are accountable to God, our Creator, and quake at the prospect of facing him in judgment. Unsaved men know that they are in trouble, that is, they live with the conviction of their sins!

 

Conviction draws some men to God, and it ignites persecution in others. In Acts chapter 2 we read that the Apostle Peter preached to about three thousand men whose hearts were pricked, and who cried out “what must we do to be saved?” To the contrary, the Apostle Steven was stoned to death by Jews who could not bear to hear the preaching of God’s word. In the former case God called men to him and they were saved. In the latter, men hardened their hearts and their conviction turned to anger and indignation. Christ preached “if they have called the master of the house baalzebub, how much more then they of his house hold,” “marvel not brethren if the world hate you,” and “this they do, because they know not him that sent me.”

 

Homosexuality, contrary to the contemporary belief that it is some birth defect that we must accept, is sin. God states clearly in Leviticus chapter 18, that men are not to lay with men as they do with women and vice versa. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans wrote that it is a manifestation of the unregenerate heart of idolatrous men who know God through his work of creation, but choose to worship the creation and not the creator (Romans 1: 18 – 27). Homosexuality is an abomination in the sight of God, and those who partake of it have no place in the Kingdom of God .

 

The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah , a jarring reminder of the wrath of God, is a perfect illustration. The cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone, because God was incensed by the sin of the inhabitants. The sin that God documents as cause for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is homosexuality! It is clear when God links the term “know” (in context) with lot’s protest that they sexually abuse his virgin daughters instead of the men who visited with him.

 

In Genesis chapters 18 and 19, God appeared before Abraham as three men, declared his intentions for Sodom and Gomorrah , heard the petitions of Abraham for the cities, and departed for the Sodom . They entered Lot ’s house where they were besieged by men, Sodomites, who insisted that they “know” the men who came to visit with him. Lot protested stating, “Nay brethren do not so wickedly, behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes (GE 19: 7,8).” They then assaulted Lot ; God smote the men with blindness, waited for Lot and his family to flee, and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with the inhabitants therein.

 

In short, God condemns homosexuality as stated clearly in the bible, and gay men and women (whether or not they know scripture) are keenly aware of it, because God gave them consciences to know right from wrong. They mount concerted attacks against Christianity as a way to squelch their malaise. If they silence the messenger, then they will no longer hear the message!

 

Christians are taught to expect persecution, accepting it with great forbearance as good ambassador’s of Christ’s Kingdom. As such, we demonstrate great tolerance, forgiveness and love. In fact, we are tolerant and forgiving to a fault.

 

Gay rights activists and their enablers on the political left have continually fought to overturn the political and social order created by our nation’s founders. We have heard about it in the news from court cases and lobbying efforts to legitimize gay marriage, and efforts to include homosexual lifestyle curricula in public schools, to paltry attacks against groups like the Boy Scouts and public figures who dare to make a public stand against homosexuality. Most recently, Senator Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania Republican) has been publicly attacked by homosexual groups and democratic politicians, because he publicly espoused his belief that homosexuality is immoral. They are calling for his resignation as a Republican Party leader, categorizing him as insensitive. Clearly, gay Americans and their supporters have been fighting to legitimize homosexuality.

 

Christians have not enjoined the battle, much to our discredit. I fear that we have confused forbearance and forgiveness with passive resignation, because we are inactive. We must recognize that homosexuality is no longer an abomination that only threatens the souls of those who are enslaved by it. Our nation is now in peril, because homosexuality has become part of the political and social agenda nationwide. If we as a nation embrace homosexuality as “an alternative lifestyle,” and allow it to become a legitimate and integrated part of out national framework, then we will incur the displeasure and wrath of God.

 

Old Testament history is crystal clear. God continually rebuked and chastened Israel for their rebellion as a nation, cursing their land and allowing their enemies to overthrow them in battle. It is a biblical pattern that continues today, because God is unchangeable. That is, he will not bestow his blessings upon a nation that abides in open rebellion to him. We cannot expect to be a prosperous and degenerate nation.

 

Throughout the Old Testament record of history we read about prophets whom God sent to warn Israel and Judah about his wrath. They testified before Kings and priests alike, protesting against their wickedness, and pleading with them to return to God. We Christians bear that same responsibility today.

 

We too are sent forth to testify before governors and rulers. We are lights in the world, stewards of God’s Word, and Ambassadors whose earthly calling is to be a living example of God and his righteousness. We are to hold men accountable for their actions, particularly those who govern us at all levels. We must, then, confront homosexuality as a sin that ought not to be endorsed by any branch or level of government. Christians as a unified group must speak out and resist homosexual Activists in unwavering opposition to their attempts to redesign America’s political and social framework. If we, whom God has entrusted to be stewards and witnesses of the truth, remain silent, then who will speak out?

 

Clearly, Christians are anything but intolerant, hateful, bigoted, and homophobic. We are far too tolerant. We must, as Christians, in the name of God, speak out against homosexuality with unwavering conviction. It is our calling as Ambassadors and stewards of God’s word, and our duty to our families, our churches, and our fellow countrymen.

 

Paul Coviello is a contributing writer for the Institute for Theonomic Reformation and serves as Deacon at the Reformed Bible Church In Central Virginia.

Originally published in 2003