Key Verse: "For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God." ~ Ephesians 2:8, Amplified Bible.
When was the time you noticed that your world views expanded because of traveling, meeting new people, or building caring and forgiving relationships with someone who had a quite different worldview from yours?
In our faith journey, we learn to love and forgive better and to live out Jesus' teaching in Luke 6:27-3 or the well know Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." Whatever we do, remember Jesus' words in John 8:1-11 to the accusers, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” and to the accused, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” She answered, “No, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
The infographic - Through Lens - may help you see how we perceive the 'truth' of ours which keeps changing.
So, what are the sins? Whatever thoughts and behaviors that ruin or destroy relationships that Jesus Christ has restored through the cross out of the love of God are the sins -- our relationship with God and any relationships with one another. If we are not careful, we can hurt anyone terribly due to our biases, prejudices, or stereotypes. See how our expressions of hate can grow from the bottom of the pyramid to the top!
As people faith, are we able to see our thoughts and behaviors in this pyramid? I pray that we are, and we should take all our expressions of hate seriously. One church member came to me yesterday and shared with me her family story. She said that several memories came to her as she listened to my sermon - the lost and found in terms of relationship. As I was listening to her, my heart ached. It wasn't my first time to hear stories like hers, but it still ached terribly.
There are several biblical passages that have been used to accuse the homosexual community. If we look at the contexts of each passage and understand better the original meanings of the biblical languages, namely, Hebrew and Greek, it should become clear what the Bible is condemning. Lust, abuse, ignorance, rape, and transactional sex are what those passages are referring to. Please keep in mind that the word and the concept of "homosexuality" were never used in the original biblical writings, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Based on the definition from wikipedia.org: "Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to people of the same sex. It also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions."
Please see below the passages, their contexts, and the meanings of the words either in Hebrew from the Old Testament and Greek from the New Testament. And take time to reflect if any relationships that you have encountered violet the Divine Law -- the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, 6:4-7, or the Great Commandments that Jesus has taught us to obey in Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31, and Luke 10:27. If not, you have found the lost relationship that Jesus Christ has redeemed for you and for all. May God's peace, joy, hope, love be yours each day. And may you continue loving and forgiving well.
1. Genesis 9:20–27
Contexts: Noah drunk asleep and his 3 sons.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.21 uncovered in Hebrew -גלה - expose, reveal secret.
b. v. 22 nakedness in Hebrew - עֶרְוָה - genital area of both sexes.
Interpretation: A common expression for sexual intercourse in Leviticus (18:6; 20:18) is "uncover nakedness" or "lie with" (20:11-12). Ham's behavior was considered disrespectful.
2. Genesis 19:1-11
Contexts: Two messengers, guests of Lot, staying the night at Lot's home while men, young and old, of the city, Sodom, came to Lot's house and act badly.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.5, v.8 know/have relationship with someone in Hebrew ידע -notice, learn, realize, become known.
b. v.8 do in Hebrew עשׂה - make, manufacture.
Interpretation: The men of the city who wish to rape the guests.
3. Leviticus 18:6-30
Contexts: God sets the mental and physical boundaries for all.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.6-19 uncover nakedness in Hebrew עֶרְוָה גלה - please see #1 notes on a. & b.
b. v.17 depravity in Hebrew זִמָּה - infamy, shameful behavior.
c. v.20, 23 sexual relationships, give/allow/set/lay in Hebrew - a (sexual) lying with
d. v.20, 23-25, 27-28, 30 defile in Hebrew טמא - become ceremonially unclean/
e. v.22 lie in Hebrew שׁכב - lie down, lie asleep, lie sick.
f. v.22, 26-27, 29-30 abomination in Hebrew תּוֹעֵבָה - detestable act/thing, loathsome.
Interpretation: Sexual prohibitions of intercourse with any female and male family members and a menstruating spouse out of lust, abuse, and ignorance.
4. Leviticus 20:10-21
Contexts: The statutes from the Lord to Moses relating to sexual prohibitions.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.10 adultery in Hebrew נאף - commit adultery, practice idolatry.
b. v.11-13, 18-20 lie in Hebrew, please see #3 notes on e.
c. v.11, 17-21 uncovered nakedness in Hebrew, please see #1 notes on a. & b.
d. v.12 perversion in Hebrew תֶּ֫בֶל - confusion, disgracefulness.
e. v.13 abomination in Hebrew, please see #3 notes on f.
f. v.14, 17, 21 take in Hebrew לקח - accept, bring, receive, marry.
g. v.14 depravity in Hebrew, please see #3 notes on b.
h. v.15, 16 sexual relationships in Hebrew, please see #3 notes on c.
i. v.17 disgrace in Hebrew חֶ֫סֶד - shame, abuse.
j. v.18 sickness in Hebrew דָּוֶה - faint, unwell, menstruating。
k. v.21 impurity in Hebrew נִדָּה - bleeding, menstruation, separation.
Interpretation:
Sexual prohibitions of intercourse with an animal, any female and male family members and a menstruating spouse out of lust, abuse, and ignorance. There are consequences such as death penalty or infertility curse if violating the laws.
5. Romans 1:24-27
Contexts: Paul notes that God gives up those degrading their bodies out of lusts and the unnatural intercourse indulgence.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.24 give up in Greek παραδίδωμι - deliver, betray, hand over, give over.
b. v.24 lust in Greek ἐπιθυμία deep desire, craving.
c. v.24 degrading in Greek ἀτιμάζω - dishonor, shame.
d. v.26 passions in Greek πάθος- passion, lustful passion, sexual passion.
Interpretation:
A range of sexual behaviors such immoderate indulgence was criticized.
6. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, (12-20)
Contexts: Paul reminds us that the only people who can render justice is the ones who believe in the God of Justice, which is to avoid adding fuel for more wrong and injustice and bringing more hurt to the people of our own spiritual family. Unjust people use and abuse each other.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.9 wrongdoers in Greek ἄδικος - unjust, unrighteous, unbeliever, dishonest.
b. v.9 be deceived in Greek πλανάω - lead astray, wander about. c. v.9 fornicators in Greek πόρνος - sexually immoral person.
d. v.9 idolaters in Greek εἰδωλολάτρης - worshipers of idols.
e. v.9 adulterers in Greek μοιχός - adulterers.
f. v.9 male prostitutes in Greek μαλακός - boys as the passive or receiving partner in anal intercourse with a man.
g. v.9 sodomites in Greek ἀρσενοκοίτης - are those who use sex to dominate, humiliate, and terrorize others.
h. v.11 washed in Greek ἀπολούω - wash away, wash off, make pure.
i. v.11 sanctified in Greek ἁγιάζω - make holy, honor as holy, dedicate.
j. v.11 justified in Greek δικαιόω - put right with, show to be right, vindicated, freed.
Interpretation:
Our body is for the Lord and a temple of the Holy Spirit, it should be loved, honored, cared for. The prohibition of adultery and sexual intercourse between people not married to each other is emphasized.
7. 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Contexts: Paul is straightforward about not only what to teach but how to teach, and to whom as well.
Key words/phrases:
a. v.10 fornicators in Greek πόρνος - sexually immoral person.
b. v.10 sodomites in Greek ἀρσενοκοίτης - are those who use sex to dominate, humiliate, and terrorize others.
Interpretation:
Sexual intercourse out of lust, abuse, ignorance, rape, or transactional sex is godless, sinful, unholy, and profane.
Lastly, love builds up the body of Christ, but hate ruins it.
And
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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