This newness of life in Jesus Christ does not mean the absence of temptation. The child of God faces sinful desires everyday. The presence of temptation does not make one a failure. (19) However, God promised his presence and power to enable his children to resist temptation and live in victory over it. (20

Christians and the Church of Jesus Christ must uphold Biblical directives regarding the Church.

Churches apply discipline only occasionally. Sometimes they exhibit irregular attitudes toward certain sins. The Church’s inconsistency in these regards results in deserved attacks of hypocrisy. All too often, the Church chooses leaders who fail to meet the specific requirements for church leadership as outlined in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

For example, Christians frequently select pastors and other Church leaders with children to young to prove themselves as followers of Christ. Others have older children, who fail to demonstrate by their lives a firm faith in Christ. Many of these leaders’ children live sinfully, contrary to God's commands. These practices violate God's commands for church leadership. (21) Further, many rise to responsible positions in the Church whose lack of personal holiness disqualifies them.

Church discipline seems to apply occasionally and targets irregular sins. Some churches practice no Church discipline at all, even for flagrant transgressions. Such behavior exposes the Church further to the charge of hypocrisy.

The Church correctly denies Church leadership to practicing homosexuals. No one who commits sexual immorality of any kind qualifies for pastor, elder, deacon, or other leadership roles. Throughout the New Testament, and even the Old Testament, God expresses his demands for personal holiness from his followers, especially of leaders. The Apostle Paul then adds to these requirements with specific qualifications for Church leaders.

The church errs gravely when it fails to follow God's directives in these selections. The Church cannot bar homosexuals from Church leadership for Biblical reasons and simultaneously fail to exclude others who also do not qualify biblically. The Church and Christians must repent of their hypocrisy and disobedience and meet God's prerequisites for their leaders.

The Challenge

Sadly, many Christians and Christian churches target the homosexual community. In the absence of Christian love and concern, they reject them. Yet, they openly accept others whom the Bible equally describes as sinners. This unchristian behavior grieves God and quenches the Holy Spirit’s work.

Christians must reassess their beliefs and practices and repent of their sin. They must seek God's direction by the Holy Spirit on how to respond in a loving, Biblical manner to those who suffer same-sex attractions.

References

01. Strauss, Mark L. Strauss and Vogt, Peter T. “A Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality”; available at this link: http://www.outpostministries.org/opn/200703.pdf.

02. Matthew 22.39; 5.43-48.

03. Matthew 15.10-20; Mark 10.6-9.

04. Galatians 6.1-5.

05. “Homosexuality.” Available at this link: www.creationworldview.org/articles_view.asp?id=14.

06. Haas, Guenther. “Hermeneutical Issues In The Use Of The Bible To Justify The Acceptance Of Homosexual Practice.” Available at this link: http://www.phc.edu/gj_haas_hermen.php.

07. Gagnon, Robert A. J. “Why We Know That The Story Of Sodom Indicts Homosexual Practice Per Se.” Posted online in January 2013.

08. Hill, Thomas P. The reader can find articles, including references, which discuss these issues at the following link: http://www.achristianblogsite.com/Bible_and_Gay.html.

09. Romans 5.12.

10. Genesis 3.15.

11. Hebrews 2.14; 1 John 3.8; Revelation 20.2.

12. Romans 6.12.

13. Romans 1.26-27.

14. 1 Corinthians 6.9-11.

15. Romans 6.6.

16. 2 Corinthians 5.17-18.

17. Colossians 1.13-14.

18. Schreiner, Thomas. “A New Testament Perspective On Homosexuality.” Available at this link: http://www.sbts.edu/documents/tschreiner/Homosexuality.pdf.

19. Schreiner, Ibid.

20. 1 Corinthians 10.13; Galatians 5.16-24.

21. 1 Timothy 3.4-5; Titus 1.6.

This excerpt comes from the ebook, Homosexuality, Christians, and the Church. You can find information for it at this link: http://www.achristianblogsite.com/bookhomosexuality.html.

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format, in whole or in part, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, whether in whole or in part, a link to this document on our website is preferred. The author, Tom Hill, must approve any exceptions to the above permissions.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Tom Hill. © Thomas P Hill. Website: www.masterministries.org

Personal Information: Tom graduated with a BS degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI and a MA degree in Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary, Lithonia, GA. He began writing a newsletter in 1981 and started a blog on his website in 2008. Every month, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to his web sites and view his blogs. In 2009, he published the book, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and his web site, www.masterministries.org (including Kindle and eBook formats). To invite Tom to speak at your college, Church, or group, you can contact him by email athill_tom@att.net.