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I Love Homosexuals
John R. Gentry
Perhaps you have seen or heard that there is a bill before our national congress that, supposedly, would make it a “hate crime” for an elder, evangelist, or other educator of a church to state publicly (either from the pulpit or in a bulletin) that homosexuality is a sin. It is certainly true that there are cantankerous and contrary people out there who, out of hatred, say that homosexuality is a sin. However, we cannot ignore that when most Bible believers state that homosexuality is a sin, they do so out of love.
In Ephesians 4.15 Paul says that we are to speak “the truth in love.” This very same author is the one who stated very clearly that homosexuality is a sin and will, therefore, keep a person from going to heaven: “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 willing passive partners in homosexuality, nor willing active partners in homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6.9-10). And in another passage Paul said, “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness...Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die...” (Romans 1.26-32). Did Paul speak this truth in love or hatred? A doctor does not tell his patient that he has a life-threatening disease because he hates his patient, does he? It is no different today. Because I love all people, including homosexuals, and desire for them to go to heaven I will continue, come what may, to speak “the truth in love.” I love homosexuals and, therefore, I am compelled to tell you that homosexuality is a sin that will keep you from going to heaven and cause you to spend an eternity in hell fire!
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.07.04