By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson
ROMANS 1:20-35 ~ "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
A friend asked:
"One of my best friends just came out of the closet. How should I respond?"
You have probably been bombarded with all kinds of thoughts and feelings as you mull over the right words to say to your friend with such predicament. Your first stop is to reflect on Romans 1:26-28, and then bring all your concerns before God.
I understand this is not an easy area under discussion, but it is not my word that I have based it from, but of the Lord's. Be lovingly honest with your friend about what you're thinking. Don't walk away. The Lord Jesus spent most of His time with people who were imperfect or had messed up in some way. These were people who didn't meet the standards of most religious folks during His time, and it is still true even in our present time. Nobody is perfect, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Even that, Jesus loved them and showed them His compassion, but, He also held them to the standards of God's Truth. He said that we should love others the way He loves us (read John 15:12). He calls every human soul to repentance. He died for each and everyone of us so we can have the forgiveness of our sin through His sacrificial death on the Cross.
Homosexuality is a sin. And anyone who practice such a lifestyle or approves it, is condenm by God if they will not repent and turn away from it (Romans 1:32). God hates sin. And for the same reason, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (read Genesis 18:16-33; Genesis 19:16-29). Remember the woman who commited an adultery and was about to be stoned to death (read John 8:1-12)? The Lord saw her heart and forgave her but then He also said to her, "... go and sin no more." (v.11c). Yes, God loves us and He forgives. He loves us so much that He doesn't want anyone to perish eternally. He gave His only begotten Son for the atonement of our sins, once and for all (John 3:16; John 14:6). God's forgiveness, however, is not an access for us to keep sinning.
Your friend needs repentance (change of mind) about sin. And our Lord Jesus Christ manifested His love towards us by dying on the cross for our sins. There is hope and forgiveness to any one who is in bondage of sin (Romans 5:8). If by God's grace, your friend will receive Jesus as his Lord and Personal Savior, then we both know that your friend will have a new heart, a new mind, a new life in Christ—now and the life to come.
ROMANS 1:20-35 ~ "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
A friend asked:
"One of my best friends just came out of the closet. How should I respond?"
You have probably been bombarded with all kinds of thoughts and feelings as you mull over the right words to say to your friend with such predicament. Your first stop is to reflect on Romans 1:26-28, and then bring all your concerns before God.
I understand this is not an easy area under discussion, but it is not my word that I have based it from, but of the Lord's. Be lovingly honest with your friend about what you're thinking. Don't walk away. The Lord Jesus spent most of His time with people who were imperfect or had messed up in some way. These were people who didn't meet the standards of most religious folks during His time, and it is still true even in our present time. Nobody is perfect, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Even that, Jesus loved them and showed them His compassion, but, He also held them to the standards of God's Truth. He said that we should love others the way He loves us (read John 15:12). He calls every human soul to repentance. He died for each and everyone of us so we can have the forgiveness of our sin through His sacrificial death on the Cross.
Homosexuality is a sin. And anyone who practice such a lifestyle or approves it, is condenm by God if they will not repent and turn away from it (Romans 1:32). God hates sin. And for the same reason, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (read Genesis 18:16-33; Genesis 19:16-29). Remember the woman who commited an adultery and was about to be stoned to death (read John 8:1-12)? The Lord saw her heart and forgave her but then He also said to her, "... go and sin no more." (v.11c). Yes, God loves us and He forgives. He loves us so much that He doesn't want anyone to perish eternally. He gave His only begotten Son for the atonement of our sins, once and for all (John 3:16; John 14:6). God's forgiveness, however, is not an access for us to keep sinning.
Your friend needs repentance (change of mind) about sin. And our Lord Jesus Christ manifested His love towards us by dying on the cross for our sins. There is hope and forgiveness to any one who is in bondage of sin (Romans 5:8). If by God's grace, your friend will receive Jesus as his Lord and Personal Savior, then we both know that your friend will have a new heart, a new mind, a new life in Christ—now and the life to come.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)So, hang in there with your friend the way the Lord Jesus would. Pray that God would work in their life. Following our Savior's example will make you the best possible friend to someone who needs one.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." (1 John 2:15-16)
