I am quite concerned that Kenneth would conclude that some on this
forum would consider anyone beyond salvation. The Scripture is
clear that no one (from our human perspective) is beyond hope of
salvation:
1 Cor. 6:9-11 (NIV) "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit
the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor
homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor
slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is
what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the
Spirit of our God."
Indeed, what is frightening is that it is an individual's self-justification
that puts him/her beyond hope of salvation. To repeat what I said
previously, it is absolutely critical for us to call sin sin. It is a grave
injustice to any sinner to attempt to redefine what Scripture clearly
calls sin. And again it must be stressed that we as individuals have
no business condemning anyone. That is God's business. On the
other hand, we are commanded to faithfully render the Word of God.
The organized homosexual liberation movement has masters of
propaganda who recognize the value of namecalling. They like to
accuse Christians of being "unloving, bigoted, and self-righteous"
merely for making reference to Scripture. We can respond lovingly
and firmly that their argument is not with us, but with God's Word.
In fact, in a city commission meeting in San Francisco, a pastor stood
up and with no commentary merely read pertinent passages from the
Scriptures. When he was done, a commissioner asked, "Is that from
the Bible?" When the pastor replied in the affirmative, the man said,
"Well that settles it for me!" and he voted against a pro-gay ordinance.
About the idea of a "loving, committed, lifetime, monogamous"
homosexual relationship. This is almost so rare as to be considered
virtually non-existent (as per the testimony of nearly every honest
practicing homosexual). Any relationship based on sexual
intercourse and not first of all on "agape" can never come close to
reflecting the unified plurality of the "imago Dei" that true marriage
does.
One of George MacDonald's fictitious characters asked this question:
"And what do you suppose is the first duty of married persons to one
another?" The response: "Why I imagine it would be to help the other
do the will of God." What a wonderful goal to put before us in our
marriage relationships!
If we really understood fully the spiritual meaning and life-altering
significance of true marriage as a reflection of the image of the triune
God, I think we would shudder at even the suggestion of marriage as
the mere cohabitation of sex partners!
Dean Ohlman
Cornerstone College