Christians have historically opposed giving rights to homosexuals--rights such as marriage, adoption, and service in the military. However, there is a new group rising up out of Christian circles that are calling for more rights to be given to homosexuals. They cite the command from Jesus to love their neighbor as they love themselves, and what better way to show love to a homosexual than by allowing them to get married and adopt children?
The first thing to point out is that all groups who believe the Bible is the Word of God should believe that homosexuality is a sin (Levitcus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-32; I Corinthians 6:9) . But to what extent are we to show love to them, or to any sinner for that matter?
In our culture if a pastor says that a homosexual needs to repent it is considered to be hate speech, and if a politician promises the right of marriage it is considered to be an act of love. We must realize how backwards that is. As a pastor, if I try to show a homosexual love by saying, "Get married, adopt children, be happy", what I am really saying is "Have fun in hell." To push for more rights and not tell them about their sin is the ultimate hate speech. This is the same as a doctor not telling his patient that he has cancer because he doesn't want to offend him. Ignorance is not bliss; it is certain death.
If you want to show true love to a homosexual explain to him the consequences of dying without having surrendered his life to Christ--you never even have to mention homosexuality! He must deny himself, repent of all sin, and follow Christ as his Lord. The same is true of heterosexuals living in sin. All sin leads to death and hell, and must be repented of.
One final thought: just because we want to show love to someone in blatant sin does not mean we take steps to condone what they do. Why don't we show love to axe murders and serial rapists by letting them live among society, own axes, and work in day cares? Jesus showed sinners love by demanding repentance and warning of their impending doom if they failed to do so. Where does the post modern crowd get the idea that Jesus went around high-fiving sinners and laughing at their dirty jokes?
Instead, every recorded exchange between Jesus and those who opposed Him shows that He was forceful, not friendly, to them. He called them vipers, snakes, hypocrites, sinners, and children of the devil. He used sarcasm, blunt language, and twice used a whip. Today a person preaching like that would be decried as extreme, a legalist, or flat out crazy. Jesus would not support homosexual marriage (just ask the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrahoh; oh wait; you cant); we need more preachers standing up today in opposition to sin, not accepting it as part of our culture.
So if you know a homosexual then show them love today. Do not do this by telling them God loves them, because this just gives them a false sense of security ("If God loves me then why do I need to change?"). Tell them of the reality of hell, and as Jude said, pull them out of the fire. They might get upset, but if you never have the conversation, they will be upset with you for all eternity, wishing you would have really shown them love.
**Also note: Romans 1 closes by saying that those who condone homosexuality are as guilty as those who practice it, and Paul says both groups are deserving of death.
(Read Should Christians Vote for Gay Rights?)
