Did Jesus ever teach about homosexuality?

Recently, I have noticed a perceived difference in the “homosexual” community against “Christianity”.  They are noticeably on the attack against people of religion and are even going into High School’s to take up their cause (see Dan Savage on his rampage at aSeattleHigh School) against religion.  The common theme seems to be that the Bible is against homosexuality.  One common plea of “homosexuals” is Jesus never taught against homosexuality.  In fact, in the localAndoverpaper in 2011, the editor covered a story about a local High School athletic star that had “turned” to homosexuality after a life long struggle with his sexuality.  In this article the athlete, now doctor, states that Jesus never once spoke out against homosexuality.  Those who call themselves religious “homosexuals” are under the assumption that because it was not condemned specifically in the “red letters” of the Bible (those Bibles which have the words of Jesus highlighted by red type as opposed to black) then it is okay to practice.  However, there is a large fallacy to this type of logic and thinking.

It should be noted that Jesus indeed taught about homosexuality.  The ignorant Bible student usually never reads nor studies the Bible for themselves.  They generally just take a few statements or quotations they find on facebook or the internet or from their church bulletin and make this their life studies of the Bible.  This is indeed the case for the homosexual community when they speak about Jesus never teaching against or about homosexuality.  Let me illustrate with a quotation from Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6 in which Jesus answers a question by the Pharisees about divorce.  Jesus says, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, (5)  and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?  (6)  So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let not man separate.”  Notice what Jesus begins with in this paragraph.  “Have you not read…?”  Jesus basically is saying, “Hey, don’t you know what the Word of God (the Bible) says about marriage?”  Jesus goes on to teach on the principle of the marriage covenant between individuals on this earth for all time.  He does not go back to the law of Moses (except to correct their religious thinking later), but rather he goes back to the beginning or the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 2.

While Jesus is teaching on the marriage covenant which God gave mankind for all time, he also teachings against homosexuality.  God gave mankind instructions for proper sexual relations, proper man/woman relationships at the very beginning of mankind’s existence in Genesis 2.  There were no exceptions and there was no mentioning of man/man or woman/woman relationships.  To wait 2,000 years after the death of Christ and almost 6,500 years after creation of mankind to change what God has written is honestly an abuse of God’s intention for marriage for all mankind.  Jesus taught on marriage between a man and a woman in Matthew chapters 5, 19, and 22.  In all of these cases Jesus, the Son of God, does not change the law which was written at the very beginning of time, but actually reinforces the law given by God to Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve) in the Garden of Eden.  This law was it is appointed for man to leave HIS parents and to be joined to a WOMAN.  Never has there been a command in the Bible or the Word of God (which is 100% inspired or God breathed, see 2 Timothy 3:16) which speaks of the allowance of a man/man or woman/woman relationship.  In fact, the Bible uses the term “fornication” (modern translations: sexual immorality) to describe all illicit sexual relationships which do not involve a husband (man) and wife (woman).  Further, we are taught by Jesus that there is only one reason one may divorce their husband (man) or wife (woman) and that is if their spouse commits adultery (that is the breaking of the marriage covenant which God has joined together through their own vows taken).  There is never a divorce stipulation given for man/man or woman/woman relationships in the Bible.  Even Paul the apostle addresses homosexuality in his letters.  “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, (10) nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).”  Paul was not against the persons who commit homosexuality.  He did not hate people.  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (that is, messenger of Christ), spoke through the Holy Spirit against those who “practiced the sin of homosexuality” (along with other sins) to give up that sin.  More importantly these two verses illustrate that some had given up a life of homosexuality and became Christians.

Did Jesus teach against homosexuality?  If we are good Bible students and if we are honest with the Word of God (the Bible) we will emphatically say, yes.  He taught against any behavior which contradicted the law of marriage between a man and a woman given by God in the Garden of Eden first to Adam and Eve.  Jesus, Paul, and all Bible writers never once said that God hates homosexuals; he just hates the sin of homosexuality because it separates the person practicing homosexuality from God spiritually.  My prayer is that God will use these words to help those who are struggling with homosexuality to change this sinful behavior (not lifestyle) and learn about the real relationship they can have with Him for all eternity.

When Flirting is NOT Welcomed

In the first article on this subject flirting was defined as, “an attempt to try to attract the attention and/or admiration of another person for self gratification.”  There are certain times when flirting is necessary when it comes to social activities such as courting between a man and a woman (those who are looking for a spouse and are ready for this commitment level, not to be confused with those looking for a sexual partner out of wedlock).  However, there are other times in which a man or a woman (of various ages) flirt and that flirting is not appropriate nor is it welcomed by the one whom the flirting is directed toward.  Paul said, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, (2)  older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2, NKJV).”  Whether Timothy is in his early 20’s, 30’s or 40’s as a minister in this address by Paul really does not matter.  Paul is giving all Christians some very strict instructions.  Remember how to exhort your elder statesmen within the congregation and especially remember to treat all the women in your congregation with purity.

 

When one member of the congregation decides to flirt with the opposite sex, even when they are married, there is no excuse.  There is no excuse for conduct which would place a man or woman outside of the laws of purity which Paul penned for Timothy.  This is not acceptable in the work place and it is certainly not acceptable in the church family.  Are there going to be times when this takes place in the church family?  Yes.  What do we do if we have a brother or sister flirt with us in a way which makes us uncomfortable or is outside of the lines of friendly banter or chatter?  First, be very upfront with your brother or sister and instruct them that this made you uncomfortable.  If you are a woman in this situation and are married it is best to have your husband speak with this man in your presence one on one if possible.  Second, if the brother or sister does not respect your wishes then you need to take a witness with you (an elder or two would be ideal) and go speak with this individual.  Demonstrate to them perfectly and calmly what the Bible says about this type of conduct between brethren.  Remind them that this type of behavior would not be acceptable between a paternal brother or sister, therefore, why would it be acceptable in God’s family?

 

Finally, if the matter is unresolved then the brother or sister needs to be counseled to stop this behavior immediately.  If the behavior does not stop then Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 5:13 is in order, “But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “PUT AWAY FROM YOURSELVES THE EVIL PERSON.”  Jesus first addresses the way to handle situations between brethren in Matthew 18:15-17.  It can be summed like this; if your brother sins against you then go to your brother about the sin.  If he repents then you have gained a brother if not then bring a witness to speak with him.  Again if he repents you gain a brother if not bring it before the church (congregation) and treat him as a tax collector.  This may seem harsh brethren, but sin is sin.  God has given us strict information on how to deal with sins against our brethren.  If it does not stop then the person or persons should not be encouraged to continue to pretend as though they are walking the Christian life.  The idea is to save the person from hell fire from bringing shame on them to repent of the evil deeds.

Flirting among Christians (Part 1)

Flirting is defined as, “to court trifling or act amorously without serious intentions; play at love; coquet.”  To coquet is “to try to attract the attention and admiration of men former self-gratification; flirt.”  These definitions are taken from www.dictionary.com (The American Heritage Dictionary).  This is what mankind has to say about flirting.  Our fellow Americans understand (or at least the educated ones do) flirting as an attempt to try to attract the attention and/or admiration of another person for self gratification.  There can be many different reasons people flirt.  First, courting a man or woman usually involves flirting.  Women often send signals during courting telling a man they are interested in them personally.  Men usually send signals during courting which indicates to a woman they are interested in them personally.  What is the point?  Some courting rituals are permissible and some are not, depending on what country and culture you live.  Second, flirting takes place (inappropriately I might add) at the work place and often progresses to sexual harassment.  Third, flirting can take place anytime a man or woman (and unfortunately, two men or two women) attempt to flatter the one they have a desire for mentally.  Surely some scenarios are not represented here, but this demonstrates the true nature of flirting generically.  What does the Bible say about Christians who flirt?

 

Matthew 5:27-30, “”You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.’  (28)  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  (29)  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  (30) And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell (NKJV).”  Jesus addresses what his own followers had heard from the Pharisees concerning the law of God prohibiting adultery.  It is evident from the address of the subject manner that the Pharisees were likely teaching the old cliché, “you can look but you cannot touch.”  However, Jesus instructed his disciples to not engage in looking on another woman (as in lust or desire to have her sexually) and do not touch her either.  Paul grants further clarification of this principle in writing to the Corinthians.

 

1 Corinthians 7:1-2, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (2) Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”  The NKJV says, “sexual immorality” and the KJV translates “fornication”.  The original text brings to light and clarifies what Paul is teaching.  The word “porneias” is used in the Greek by Paul.  Its true meaning is more than the physical touching of another human being.  Of course, as with most Greek words, it needs to be seen in its context.  Porneias here means touching or flirting with anyone who is not your spouse.  Apply what Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-30, and God is VERY CLEAR on the nature of flirting.  If one is a married person, there is no authority to touch or look upon another who is not your spouse in a lustful or even flirtatious desire.  If one is married, according to Jesus, it is not OKAY to “LOOK BUT NOT TOUCH”.  These principles apply to any marital status and Jesus did not say, “to the married only I say”.  Rather He addressed a principle of the Pharisees and made a universal application for all His followers.  Whether you are married or unmarried, Christians are encouraged to neither flirt or touch anyone in a sexual manner or make advances or touching in which another individual would be offended.  Here is an easy solution for every Christian.  Just keep your hands, comments and eyes to yourself when it comes to flirting.  If you have a wife or husband, then flirt with them.  If not, then keep your mind pure from ungodly thoughts.  There is a reason this was addressed by Jesus and the rest of the New Testament authors.  God knows the heart of mankind and knows we would be tempted.  Much more will be said, but ultimately Christians should never engage with flirting unless it is with one’s OWN wife or husband.

Why do you reject the truth?

I came across this interesting photo today on Facebook.  It certainly lends an ancient perspective to a current problem we seem to have in our society.  I don’t know how many people I have spoken with or studied the Bible with who say to me, “that is just your interpretation.”  Normally, if it was just my interpretation I would have no problem with such a statement.  However, whenever I begin studying with anyone I set one very strict ground rule:  my (Robert Lukenbill) opinion does not count.  That’s right, whenever I study the Bible with someone I am sure to emphasize to them we are searching for the truth together.  That is what a Bible study should be, a search for the truth.  Undoubtably though, if you study with enough individuals opinions and interpretations of the Bible will come into play.  Rather than arguing with someone about their own private interpretation I would rather the Bible just speak on its own account.  For instance, 1 Peter 3:21 says, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”  The Bible says very plainly that baptism does (doth) now save us.  How do I misinterpret such a statement?  Further in Mark 16:16 Jesus said Himself, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be damned.”  

How do you have a different interpretation of salvation from these passages?  I will tell you how.  Simply, people have been taught from their youth in some religious organizations that baptism is not essential for salvation.  They will quote John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  They point to this and say, “look Jesus said all we have to do is believe to be saved!”  Wrong.  Jesus said prior to this in the same conversation with Nicodemus that anyone desiring to enter the kingdom must do so through being born again of water and the spirit (John 3:3-5).  Therefore, John 3:16 if it is used logically or with reason, fits perfectly with Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21, it even fits perfectly with Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-4 and many other passages which teach salvation includes not only believing but being immersed (baptized) for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.  Is this my interpretation or my opinion?  No.  This is what God has said.  If God has said it then let it be true.  Friends, when you study the Bible it is best to throw out what anyone (even mom and dad) have taught you.  It is best to just let God instruct you through His word.  Remember, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day (John 12:48).”  If you or someone you know would like to study the Bible either in person or by mail (email too), please feel free to write me at rlukenbill@gmail.com.

RL3

Whose church is it?

I read quite a few articles from different congregation’s bulletins each week.  Within the pages of these articles I find the use of the term “church” more frequent.  For example, someone might say, “I went to brother Smith’s church this week to hear brotherDavispreach.”  Or another is talking about mission work and helping a particular “church” overseas.  I understand fully that Webster’s dictionary defines “Church” as, “a building designed for Christian worship” among other definitions.  I also understand the religious world calls any body of believers in Christ a “church”.  However, should we be using the word “church” in this manner?  Should we say, “I am going to church tonight”?  Or “I am going to my sister’s church tomorrow”?  I am not trying to knick pick brethren, but I believe words do matter and the way we use them may teach us much about the individual(s) who use them.  My point is this; if everyone has their own “church” then what happened to the “church” which Jesus died for?

 

Paul said in Acts 20:28, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (NKJV).”  Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that they were shepherds to the church of God which Jesus had purchased with His own blood.  When I read this verse it gives me a perspective on the word “church” that I don’t find being used so often in the religious world (and sadly our own brotherhood many times).  To Jesus, the word “church” was not just another noun to describe a body of believers (I hate that term by the way) or a group of people assembled.  The word “church” is used in the New Testament to describe the one body of Christ which He died for and purchased in order to save mankind from their sins.  Paul also said, “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18, NKJV).”  According to the Scriptures Jesus purchased His “church” with His blood and He is the head of this body or church.

 

Did not Jesus say Himself, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18, NKJV).”  Which church did Jesus say He was going to build?  His church.  Not my church, your church, Luther’s church, Billy Graham’s church or anyone else’s church.  Jesus came to this earth to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies not only concerning Him as Messiah, but also that His blood which would be shed on the cross would usher in the Kingdom or Church which would belong to Christ.  Notice what Jesus says after His resurrection from the dead, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:20, NKJV).”  Ultimately, we know that there is only one body (Ephesians 4:4) and since this body is called the “church” by the Bible in Colossians 1:18, then we can properly conclude there is only one “church” which Jesus died for and that is the church which belongs to Christ or the church of Christ which is recognized by Paul in Romans 16:16 by name.

 

Brethren, my point is simple.  You do not go to church, because you are the church (Acts 2:47).  You became part of this New Testament church of Christ when you put on Christ in baptism.  God added you to the church when you were saved (Acts 2:47).  Therefore, you cannot go to anyone’s church or we cannot help anyone’s church.  We need to go back to the Bible and be very clear on what we are speaking about concerning Christ’s church.  He died for it and He has the right to own it.  Whose “church” is it?  It is Christ’s church or thechurchofChrist.  Amen?

Church Member Reconciliation

In todays fast pace society it is no wonder why many change their minds so frequently in life. Our lives are full of many different choices, especially in the United States of America. In the good, old USA we are used to many choices in life. Our food we eat, our jobs we work, our homes we live in, and many other things in our lives have many different choices because we live in the land of the free. This would be especially true when it comes to Religion. Of course when you open the phone book or drive down the road there are hundreds if not thousands of different religions. When you narrow that down to Christianity you still have thousands of different religious beliefs. So when a member of the Lord’s Church decides not to attend anymore there is little guess work to be done. Most likely they choose a false religion to go to in their life. The Bible is very plain in our directions on how to work with those who fall away from the truth. We are told in Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5 to cut off the leaven and start a new lump if they refuse to study and correspond with us. However, what do we do when the sinner comes back to the fold?

Let me be a little more specific, what should be done when the sinner who has fallen away publicly (meaning no longer attends the local congregation) decides to rejoin the local congregation? We know the denominational world and other religions have their man-made creeds to follow, but what does the Lord instruct us to do in this situation? I have seen it happen over and over in my life as a Christian. Members of the church fall away going to the denominational world, and when they return it is as if they never left. As joyous occasion as it might be for those weaker brethren who don’t understand what true repentance is, those who are stronger in the faith need to be sure and carry out God’s commands. James 5:19-20 states, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, (20) let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” We know that if our brother or sister falls away and we are able to convince them with the truth that they should return to the truth that we have assisted God with bring the sinner back to the truth. But what is true repentance on behalf of the sinner in this situation? When they come back are they just to blend in and everyone pretends like nothing happens and their sins are covered up? Sadly this happens in many of our congregations because no one wants confrontation.

The Bible also says that sins are to be repented of, not just confessed. Repentance begins with God, it is a change of heart, but that is not the end for repentance. Acts 26:20 states, “but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.” Paul tells King Agrippa that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision received of Christ, but rather he taught the Jews and Gentiles that they should repent and perform deeds (works) in keeping with their repentance. This means that repentance is not just sorrow for what you have done wrong, but reconciling what you have done wrong. Good Christians will attempt to reconcile their sins. Sins are transgression of the law of Christ (1 John 3:4). Since the Law of Christ teaches us to seek the Kingdom first and not abandon the church assembly (Matthew 6:33 and Hebrews 10:25) then those who partake in this action are sinners. When someone has placed their membership with a local congregation of the Lord’s Church and falls away, then that person who comes back to the local congregation or to any congregation of the Lord’s Church has an obligation to confess their sins to the assembly in order to recommit their lives to God. There must be a spiritual and visible change in the lives of penitent sinners.

That is the truth on the matter; all sin requires complete repentance and reconciliation if possible. For those members of the church who are weaker and don’t understand why we need to pull them aside and teach them more accordingly. However, for us to just accept sinners back into the fold without even a simply statement of sorrow is unacceptable and is sin before God.

Parental Suffering Because of Birth Defects

Not one single day goes by when a baby is born without a birth defect in our world.  Birth defects can be as insignificant as a birth mark (skin discoloration or alteration) or as large as a baby born without organs or defective organs that does not allow survival.  This last Friday as I was riding with someone into town I saw signs from the American Heart Association asking for the public’s support in the aid of their research.  There are many organizations, which assist in this very way, dedicated to different conditions children are born with in life.  However, birth defects are not due to anything the baby or their parent’s have done in their life.  Birth defects are not caused by anything their ancestor’s have done.

In short, birth defects were brought about because Adam and Eve broke the law God set for them in the Garden of Eden, not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge.  This was the first sin by any man and because of this sin and sins that continued, death was a result.  Genesis 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (NKJV).”  Many will argue Adam and Eve did not die the exact day they ate from the Tree but they did start dying.  As we move toward the New Testament, Jesus deals with the teaching in which many religious organizations (Baptists, Methodists, Catholics and many others) teach what they call Total Depravity.  These religious organizations teach their followers that babies are born with sin and must be baptized (sprinkled in their terms) in order not to die in that state.

However, Jesus refuted this teaching in the Bible, plain and simple.  In John chapter nine Jesus uses a blind man who was born blind to illustrate a point to the Pharisees.  John 9:1-3, “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him (NKJV).”  Later in verse 34, “They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out (NKJV).”  The Pharisees argue with the blind man after he is healed in verse 34 and say the man who was born in sin should not be teaching them.

What can we properly conclude from these passages?  Number one, neither the parents nor the baby are punished for any sins just because the baby is born with a birth defect.  Number two; the works of God “should” be revealed in those who are born with birth defects.  This teaches us we are to use our physical deficiencies to glorify the Father in whatever means we can.  Number three; the Pharisees were ignorant to teachings of Christ because they taught children are born in sin.  Parents if you have a child or have had a child born with a birth defect, the child is not your punishment from God because of your sins.  The child is a beautiful gift.  On the other hand, if a parent is doing crystal meth or other heavy drugs, not taking care of their bodies against Doctor’s orders, you are the direct cause of your child’s birth defects and should feel seek God’s forgiveness.  Nevertheless, for those who have children with birth defects and you did not alter your child’s chemistry while they were in the womb with hardcore drugs or abuse to your body, God is not punishing you.  Instead of beating your head against the wall for something that is beyond your control, seek help from your heavenly Father.  He will guide you, through His word and those providentially sent to you for your help, to glorify Him because of your suffering.  Parents do not hate yourself, but rather love your child, love God and use the situation to glorify His Holy name.  Finally; Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (NKJV).”