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Homosexuality, Marriage, and the Church
God’s Word. Only when he realized what he was doing was sin, and
not some acceptable alternative lifestyle, could He find answers in
God’s grace, walk away from sinful lifestyle, and take a step toward
the fullness of life waiting for him.
THE DOCTRINE OF GRACE
The biblical view of grace must be seen against the backdrop of
sin. According to Paul, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much
more” (Rom. 5:20,
n k j v ) .
Unless we recognize our sinfulness, we are
not prepared to appreciate God’s grace. If homosexual practice is not
considered a sin, or not regarded as a serious sin, then grace is not
needed, or becomes cheap grace. Only when God’s estimation of ho
mosexual practice is taken seriously as a grave sin is it possible to
respond properly to God’s grace.
Throughout the Bible, the picture is clear that God unequivocally
upholds the Creation duality between the sexes (see Gen. 1:26) and
the heterosexual norm for marriage (see Gen. 2:24). Divine judgment
is pronounced against those who engage in homosexual practice.
As we have seen in our chapter on “Homosexuality in the Old
Testament,” God’s amazing grace is revealed in His willingness to
forgive and provide empowering grace for
obedience. In view of God’s grace extend
ed toward all sinners, including homo
sexuals, and in view of the sinful desires
that lurk in all our hearts, expression of
disapproval of homosexual practice must
be made “in the context of our own sexu
al fallenness.”24As noted in that chapter,
we must all recognize our need of grace and healing in matters of
our sexuality, including especially the heterosexual sin of hatred to
ward homosexuals. At stake in the discussion over homosexuality
and gay marriage is a proper recognition of God’s grace within the
context of the human sinfulness.
All sins, even
those most
strongly
condemned by
God, can be
forgiven by Him.