Degrading Passions I was recently asked to give my judgment of homosexuality given the rise of suchs activity and the attempts by the "church" to re-evaluate Biblical teaching.  "Wise" men, respected men of God, teachers in our churches, our theological schools, etc. have promoted a humanistic view of the Bible and are guilty of "holding truth based in unrighteousness" as clearly prophesied by Paul in Romans Chapter 1. Below, I defend the truth of God's Word while explaining the condition of humanity.  Discuss the reality that a Saint can be "born" with such a degrading passion of homosexuality and why.  And what we can do to help them. The Truth The Bible is our divine guide to living.  The Torah is a line by line, preface upon preface, outline of God's ordained way of life.  Given to us to demonstrate clearly that man is in need of GRACE and a savior. Yahusha the Messiah is that savior.  And in Him we find that much needed grace in light of the fact that mankind was ordained to fall short of the glory of God and over time turned over to a reprobate mind. In the Torah we are given "right" and "wrong" and detailed revelation in regard to spiritual practices that are designed to illustrate to mankind the holiness of God.  And to illustrate to man the honored position mankind holds in creation relative to animals.  God sets a bar that we are to strive to achieve understanding we were destined to fall short. Humanity's Current State Romans Chapter 1 is critical here.  Here we find that mankind would over time worship and serve the creature instead of the creator and God would turn humanity over to their degrading passions.  Our minds would be reprobate and our wisdom foolishness.  Resulting in the final judgment of humanity in the end... which we are now living: 18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19   Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20   For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21   Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22   Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23   And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28   And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; God's Judgment is on Humanity... Effecting the Individual This is the world in which we find ourselves living in.  The judgment pronounced in Romans 1 is NOT on idividuals but rather on HUMANITY as a whole.  The EFFECT of this judgment is on the individual.  So the very real truth is that HUMANITY has been given over to a reprobate mind and it strongly effect each individual.  Verse 27 of Romans Chapter 1 makes it clear that the effects of humanity's reporate mind will be on the individual "receiving in themselves the recompense" of their actions to act upon the degrading passions. Sin Effects the Human Genome The result of sin is separation from God and ultimate death.  Originally in the days of Adam, the genetic structure of humanity was more pure resulting in life spands reaching into the hundreds of years.  Over time, sin degrades the very fiber of life and the consequenses of sin to our genetic structure is severe.  In mental terms, physical terms, and spiritual terms humanity suffers from the consequenses of sin. Born a Homosexual with a Degrading Desire? I believe that just as a child can be born with a terminal illness, mental illness, or genetic defect... so also a child can be born with a predispotion to such degrading passions as homosexuality. Degrading Passion a Result of Humanity's Sin NOT the Individual's Sin We MUST understand this as a result of SIN.  All sickness, disease, defects, etc. including homsexuality is as a result of humanity's rebellion and sin.  And we are all born under the curse.  So just as a child may be born with defect that is not a result of the child's individual sin... so might a child be born with a defect in morality that is not a result of the child's individual sin but rather the result of being born into the human race that has been turned over to degrading passion because of sin. Righteous Judges - Our Role Regarding Homosexuality The issue here is not whether homosexuality is a sin.  The answer to that is clearly "yes it is".  The issue here is how do WE as Righteous Judges handle that sin in light of grace in such a way as to further the knowledge of God.  To battle this degrading passion and help to bring about the effected Saints' progression in sanctification from that sin... so that we all become conformed to the perfect image of His Son. How to Handle Homosexuality Just as a Saint may be afflicted with any type of mental or physical illness due to sin... so may a Saint be afflicted with a degrading passion.  As a Righteous Judge it is NOT our role to condemn but to love, educate, and nuture the afflicted in light of truth and righteousness and in the knowledge of God. We are not to focus on the sin, but rather grace and in a relationship with the Savior who can heal. The bottom line is that in the end, our lives will be judged with fire.  All wood, hay, and stubble will not survice the test of fire leaving only gold, silver, and precious stones.  So faith and service to God are paramount and we cannot let the inevitable sin in our life separate us from God.  There is now no condemnation in Yahusha the Messiah. So we pastor the elect in such a way as to promote a deep personal relationship with God.  Teaching TRUTH in righteousness stressing the importance of RELATIONSHIP with God, acceptance through the Messiah, and the battle we are all predestined to fight with our degrading flesh. Understanding that all "wood, hay, and stubble" acts are of no value.  And that over time, God will oversee the sanctification of His Elect through a lifetime of action, cause, and effect.  And that even the degrading passions of homosexuality will overtime be healed as we progess in our walk with God. Cause and Effect The truth behind homosexuality is that as with all sin God has put into action an effect for such actions.  As with all sin, there is a price to pay on this earth for sin.  While the blood of Yahusha saves us from the second death and the ultimate penalty for sin... God does not deliver us from the physical consequenses of unrepented sin on earth. My point is this.  As a Saint deals with the affliction of homosexuality, self discipline must rule in the Saint's life.  Just as an alcoholic must reign in that desire and control it and not be masterd by it.  While the degrading passion may be present due to the state of humanity, the act itself can be prevented as the Saint seeks the face of God for healing and sanctification. If "the right arm causes you to sin... cut it off!" If the Saint proceeds in the act, the effect of the act cannot be avoided: Social rejection Self condemnation Loss of ability to bear a child Risk of disease Disqualification to serve in the Church As Shepherds, we must help our brothers who fight this affliction see it for what it is.  The battle against sinful fleshly desires.  A battle we all fight in our own ways.  And shepherd them to a closer relationship with God.  Stressing sanctification over time and the healing power of the cross. In the end the degrading passion of homosexuality will not hinder eternal salvation, it will serve its purpose to destroy the witness of the Saint, separate them from God due to self condemnation, and limit the Saints ability to experience the fulness of love ordained by God between a man and a woman. We need to help those afflicted with homosexuality to understand it is a degrading passion that is a result of God turning humanity over to lust.  We need to see if for what it is... a battle.  And we must unite together to confront it, fight against it, and grow in our faith and relationship so that the spirit within controls the lust. Self discipline is the key to life.

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