Sadly, many seem to avoid this issue, wanting not to offend and alienate others. However, the offense of the Gospel cannot be avoided. Any desire or behavior outside of Scriptural guidelines is condemned widely in Scripture. For example, Jesus did not just denounce adultery in His Sermon on the Mount, but the lust associated with it. Therefore, when talking about sexual immorality of any stripe (fornication, homosexuality, adultery, etc.), the lust (ἐπιθυμέω) is included in the sin.
In recent days, another perspective has arisen; it is referred to as “Side B Christianity.” Becket Cook defines these proponents as those “who claim to hold to a biblical view of sexuality. While they would say homosexual behavior and “gay marriage” are wrong, they still embrace the notion of homosexual “orientation,” even celebrating this “orientation.” “Side B” proponents also embrace the idea of victimhood, calling themselves “sexual minorities.” As believers, we are not victims; we are victors in Christ. We mustn’t wallow in our old man.” Often, people will contend that it is only the behavior that is sinful. Not so, from a Biblical perspective.
I find the Book of James to be helpful when clarifying this issue. In chapter one, he relates the progression of sin and its relationship with temptation and lust. Consider verses 13-16: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He, Himself, does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren."
In this passage, we see several things that are germane to our subject as hand. We see different components to a given transgression. First, we begin with temptation. Is temptation a sin? No, since Jesus Himself was tempted in the wilderness, and He certainly did not sin (Matt 4; Luke 4). Secondly, lust is what carries one away into sinful behavior. As Jesus related, lust and adultery act in tandem; they are united in purpose. These two entities produce a bitter fruit; we need not be deceived in this regard.
We as believers are to be conformed to the image of Christ; we are to be renewed in our thinking (Romans 12:2). It is not only sinful, immoral behavior, but our fleshly desires that spur it. One cannot be an active homosexual Christian any more than one can be an actively adulterous Christian. We would not affirm, let alone applaud, homosexuality in the Church any more than we would affirm alcoholism or cheating on income taxes. Nor should we affirm the lust that leads to sin.
That is why Paul related in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”
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