Human Sexuality
The Bible does speak on the
various subjects related to sexuality, it is imperative that the Church
correctly understands and articulates the truth on this important
issue.
It should be noted at the outset that the consistent sexual ideal in the
Bible is chastity for those outside a monogamous heterosexual marriage
and fidelity for those inside such a marriage (Exodus 20.14, Matthew
19.3-6, 1 Corinthians 7.2-3). There is also abundant biblical evidence
that homosexual behavior, illicit heterosexual behavior, bestiality,
polyamorous relationships, the use of pornographic materials, and other
forms of sexual deviance are immoral and comes under the judgment of
God. We believe, in the light of biblical revelation, that the
growing cultural acceptance of LBGTQ (etc.) identity and behavior, male
and female, is symptomatic of a broader spiritual confusion that
threatens the family, the government, and the church (Romans 1.18-32).
All
sexually immoral behavior is sin because it is disobedient to Scriptural
teachings.
When God called Israel to be His people in a distinctive sense He
entered into a covenant relationship with them and provided the law,
predicated on love for God and neighbor, by which they could order their
lives as a holy people. That law included specific prohibitions of all
sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage. This includes
fornication (see 1 Corinthians 6.9-11), adultery (Exodus 20.14),
homosexual practice (Leviticus 18.22, 20.13, see also Romans 1.26-27),
incest (Leviticus 18.6 ff.), bestiality (Leviticus 18.23), pedophilia
(see Mark 9.42), and all other sexually deviant practices. The word
“abomination,” is used in a number of these prohibitions. It is a
strong word that indicates divine displeasure with sin. An
unbiased study of these and other passages makes it clear that Scripture
consistently identifies deviant sexual immorality as sin.
Sexual immorality is sin because it is contrary to God’s created order
for the family and human relationships.
When people choose to engage in sexually deviant behavior, they depart
from the God-given nature of sexuality. Their unnatural sexual behavior
is a sin against God, who established the order of sexuality (Romans
1:27). And the social unit they seek to establish is contrary to the
divine instruction for the man to leave father and mother and “hold fast
to his wife” (Genesis 2:24).
In Jesus’ discussion with the Pharisees, He reiterated the order of
sexuality that God established in the beginning: “Have you not read that
he who created them from the beginning made them male and female and
said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold
fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4, 5).
He pointed out that the only alternative to heterosexual marriage is
celibacy for the kingdom of heaven’s sake (Matthew 19:10–12).
Sexual immorality is sin for which reconciliation is possible.
While Scripture makes it clear sexual deviance is sin, it also indicates
that those who are guilty of sexual immorality or any other sin can be
reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 6.9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17–21).
As Christians we must both exhort believers to live in moral purity and
express in word and deed Christ’s love for the lost. Aware of the claims
of God on every aspect of our lives, we must emphasize that we are
called to holiness. We must reach out in love to unbelievers with
compassion and humility. We must hold no malice toward any member of our
society —such attitudes are not of Christ. We are called to reach out to
all in love, at the same time we must not condone sexual behavior that
God has defined as sinful
Randall Runions, Pastor