Hello everyone. I'm sorry it has been some time since my last blog post. The recent weeks have been busy and some things require my attention more so than others. I hope everyone has been well since last I wrote. Today we begin the book of Romans.
It is widely agreed and accepted that Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans during his three month stay in Greece, toward the end of his third missionary journey. This was about A.D. 57. At this time Paul had yet to visit the church there. This makes sense in reference to the epistle's introduction. It is believed Paul wrote the letter from the vicinity of Corinth due to his mentioning of Phoebe, who carried the letter, from the church of Cenchreae, a small town eight miles from Corinth.
Scholars differ on Paul reasoning for writing to the Romans. Some believe Paul wrote to rally support for a missionary journey to Spain, while others believe his reason was a purely theological one. Still others believe he wrote to appeal to the Jewish population there to convince them to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. Whatever the view point, it can be surmised that Paul wished to visit Rome and wanted to ready the people there for his visit, after which he hoped he could go to Spain and preach the Good News there.
Paul was not afraid to preach on what we would call "controversial topics". Many people in our society today are pushing forward the homosexual agenda. There are many people out there who claim to be Bible believing Christians who have taken up this cause. They say that God is love. While this is true, we can't forget what the Bible teaches about homosexuality.
1:26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Many people read this passage and believe that God hates homosexuals. There are many Bible believing Christians who believe so. This has put a bad taste in the mouth for many people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that God is love, but that He hates homosexuality. How can both be true? God is love. He does love all people. But just because He loves us, He does not love all we do. Remember, God loves the sinner but hates their sin. The Bible also teaches that all people are sinners.
3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
We all must remember that we are sinners, just like everyone else. God loves everyone, but hates the sin in our lives. That does not affect or change the truth. Homosexuality is still wrong in the eyes of God. But because God loves all and has commanded that we love all, we too should love homosexuals. They are loved by God and should be extended the grace that was given us in Christ Jesus. Does that mean we should encourage homosexuals to continue in their lifestyle? By no means!
6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Homosexuality flies in the face of everything God created the intimate relationship to be. He created it to be a relationship of intimacy to be shared within marriage between one man and one woman. Homosexuality is not natural and has never been. Homosexuality is a choice, just like every other sin known to man. To condone homosexuality is a denial of God's creation and His power through Christ to loosen the grip of sin.
Society teaches that Christian values are outdated, old fashioned and out of style. Christians are looked down upon as intolerant bigots. Standing up for what you believe in is not wrong. It is not intolerant to stand up against what is wrong. Homosexuality is wrong no matter how you slice it. If any of you who have read this have gay friends or family members please understand that it is not my intention to offend anyone. My intention is to only preach God's truth. Christ came because He loved the world. He still does and always will.
That's why Christians should respond with love toward homosexuals. But Christians should never stand down against a world that is becoming increasingly hostile towards anyone who disagrees with its sinful behavior. This not only includes homosexuality but also heterosexual sin (both being sexual immorality), debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkeness, and orgies to name a few.
Let me encourage you all to take Paul's quote of the prophet Habakkuk seriously. “The righteous will live by faith.” With much love, until next time...
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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