"The Gay Response"

by David Padfield

I recently received an E-mail in response to an article on homosexuality which is on our website. The note sent to me was titled, "The Gay Response." Even though it seems like boiler-plate, I'll reprint it here and make a few comments about it.

The Gay Response "For telling us there was something wrong with us, For misreading the living word of God as words of prejudice and fear, For treating us like sinners, like victims, and like second-class citizens, For placing a burden of guilt where there should be only God's love and joy, For telling us we were not allowed to be happy, For all of these mistakes: We forgive you."

The author of this "response" is seriously wrong in most of his assumptions. The word of God does not contain "words of prejudice and fear." It does contain solemn warnings for those who violate it's Sacred precepts—warnings to gays and straights alike.

I do not consider homosexuals to be "victims"—I believe they simply choose to lead a deviant life style. On the other hand, they are sinners—just like some homosexuals and sodomites in Corinth before Paul preached to them. Paul said, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor. 6:9-10). We are grateful to report that these sinners turned from their sins, for Paul said, "such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:11).

God's love can remove the guilt of sin—but only when we repent of our sin. His joy comes to those who have their sins forgiven (Psa. 51:1-12).

I have never tried to deny anyone their happiness. However, true happiness comes from a knowledge that your life is in harmony with the will of God. "Blessed (or happy) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." (Psa. 1:1-2).

I do not desire the "forgiveness" of this man, for I do not seek to be "forgiven" for telling the truth. Forgiveness of sins can only come from God, based upon genuine repentance and obedience to His will. The man who wrote has no desire do cease the practise of sin.

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