Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/30/2004

Question
We all know that God forbids homosexual acts but loves homosexual persons. If a homosexual couple in a faithful monogamous relationship later repent of their sexual behaviour but continue in their special bonding (like a couple), yet without involving in any sexual and physical intimate acts with each other anymore, is their relationship still consider a sin? Does the Bible forbid homosexual acts or even special relationship and bonding (non-sexual) between homosexual persons?

Answer
Hi Mary,

Thanks for this great question!

1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 1:26-27
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.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

According to Romans, the homosexual affections themselves are called "vile".  They are against nature.  Now if a couple becomes born again and then tries to live for God by repenting from their homosexual sin, then it would be wise for them to not feed the lusts that "war against" their souls.  Let us think of a heterosexual relationship that most people would agree is in apropriate, and let us draw some conclusions.

Imagine that a 12 year old girl was seduced by a 45 year old man.  They claim to be in love. let us imagine that they both became born again and repented from sexual impurity... although they had been very sexually active.  If you were the parents of this 12 year old girl, would you allow the couple to remain close, and even romantically close so long as they promise not to have sex?  This is rediculous!  There would be a seperation if not prosecution on the 45 year old.

Now I do realize that consenting homosexual adults is a different story, but it seems to me to be very clear that if one truely wants to change, they leave the lifestyle completely.  To do anything else leaves the door open to fall to these temptations once again.

Romans 13:14
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Mary, do not miss the big picture.  Homosexuality is like other sins... it comes from carnal desires deep within the human heart.  We all have these desires, but we do not all have homosexual desires.  The desires thou different, are fought the same way:

1.  Completely repent from the sin, confessing it to God.
2.  Change the people places and things involved with the sin,
3.  Replace the sinful activity with a Godly one.
4.  Depend upon prayer, the Bible, and CHurch fellowship to help you maintain a lifestyle change.

I hope that I have helped.  Thanks again for your question.  If you would like to contact me directly you may e-mail me at   ebc@cleaninter.net

In Christ
Pastor Don