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A Christian’s Scriptural Response to the World of 2000 . . .

FACING HOMOSEXUALITY

(Part 3 of 5)

In part 2 of this series we spoke of Scripture’s identification of homosexuality as a sin. In part 3 we will explore the variety of ways in which great effort is taken to make this sin acceptable.

A Planned Effort

The prevalence of homosexuality in modern culture didn’t happen by ‘accident.’ There has been and still remains a concerted effort to promote homosexuality and to make it seem innocent and harmless. In view of what God says about homosexuality (that it is, in fact, a sin), it becomes a serious matter indeed when we find a concerted effort to support sin and to make it seem innocent and harmless.

The devil is a very patient enemy. He doesn’t need to win over a soul or a situation overnight. He is content to work in stages–gradually moving from outrage at sin, to indifference toward it, to an acceptance of it, to a support of it, to the promotion of it. Writings of ‘pro-gay’ groups speak very clearly of their agenda, namely, to desensitize the American public so that it gradually becomes indifferent to homosexuality.

An Effort in Education

One of the deceptive ways in which the promotion of homosexuality is made to appear acceptable is the subtle equating of homosexuality with differences in skin color, race, and so forth. The conclusion the gay rights agenda wants everyone to make is that since we can’t object to a person’s skin color, therefore, neither should we object to homosexuality. This is the main underlying approach of promoting homosexuality in the school system.

Through videos and workshops pro-gay groups are striving to have teachers and school curricula promote homosexuality. This is not a matter of aiding people to treat others with kindness and respect (as we should do toward everyone), but it is rather a matter of encouraging the acceptance of homosexuality as an approved way of living.

Homosexuality is also promoted in the books children are given to read. New books being promoted include “Daddy’s Roommate,” “Heather’s Two Mommies,” and other books with similar themes. In “Daddy’s Roommate” the child’s parents are divorced, and Daddy gets a new roommate who is homosexual. The book relates the child saying, “Mommy says that Daddy’s gay. I asked Mommy what that meant and she said, ‘it’s just a different kind of love.'”

An Effort to Entertain

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to make sin seem acceptable is to make it look like fun and funny–that is, make sin entertaining. If something is couched in humor, if it is involved with entertainment and things that are “fun, relaxing, and something I can do with my friends,” then how could it be bad?

The more that gay characters and gay themes have become “mainstream” in our entertainment, the less and less attention is directed to the issue. As the content of entertainment slides more and more into equating sin with humor and enjoyment, the “real people” who play the characters are also becoming more and more involved with promoting the acceptance of sin. The actor who plays the gay character on the current TV show Will and Grace commented: “When old ladies out there say, ‘Oh I hope he meets a nice man’ that is when we’ll know that the show has succeeded.”

Although the evening news is not part of “entertainment” as such, the way in which news is reported is also a significant means by which our society is being exposed to a “positive gay” view. Most people heard many news items about Matthew Shepherd, the gay man who was beaten, tortured, and killed. This was a horrendous crime and should stir outrage and grief in everyone who hears about it. A similar case, the murder of Jesse Dirkhising, is far less known. Jesse’s two killers, both gay men, killed him after performing bondage and sodomite rituals. The two men have been charged with six counts of “deviant rape” and murder. Again, this was a horrendous crime and should stir outrage and grief in everyone who hears of it. However, few ever heard about Jesse.

Christ Overcame the World

The so-called “Gay Agenda” is seeking to achieve normalization of homosexuality through desensitization of the issue. To understand the great efforts that are being made in our society (and the foregoing only touches the surface) can be discouraging for the Christian. However . . .

. . . We remember that our Savior says that what we pursue and find to be our treasure and truth will be a sharp contrast with what we find in the world. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you . . . In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 15:18-19; 16:33).

. . . When we consider the world “out there” we will be reminded of the dangers the devil wishes to put into our path and of the need to watch and pray. “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

. . . When we consider the world’s needs and the knowledge that we have the Means (the gospel) to call people out of sin’s darkness, we will be energized as ambassadors for Christ and carry His light into the world. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? . . . You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden . . . Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5:13ff).

. . . When our hearts and souls grow weary and burdened with our own sins and the sins of others, what a joy to hear our Savior say: Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).

–Pastor Wayne Eichstadt