There is no doubt the winds of social change are blowing aimlessly across America with emphasis being placed upon “tolerance” – which is to be extended to everyone and anyone without limitation and to any and all kinds of sexual expression. Is there nothing wrong with sex as long as it is consensual? And if there is something wrong, what is it? Does it really come down to a matter of personal taste, of private sentiment and personal choice? Have we become a nation that gains our sense of purpose and meaning primarily from our sexual desires and behavior?
On every hand you find those “who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isaiah 5:20). With all sorts of opinions consuming the airwaves, media and Internet, it appears everything is now up for debate – even the subject of homosexuality.
The moral status of America cannot be determined on the basis of population figures. There is no such thing as statistical morality. America’s blind, amoral pursuit of pleasure at any price, and in any form, has indeed perpetuated the social and dark spiritual dynamics which have birthed and inflamed the various forms of sexual perversion.
While there are those still attempting to make The Bible and Christianity socially and culturally relevant by rewriting and redefining biblical standards, I find tremendous comfort and strength in knowing God’s Word remains steadfast from generation to generation. Therefore, it remains crucial that each and every true faithful follower of Christ Jesus understand and embrace “thus saith the Lord” when it comes to homosexuality and other issues of our time. Ultimately, God is not and will not be mocked, and there is no way anyone can legitimately rewrite or circumvent what God prohibits.
Based upon my own personal experience with regard to homosexual practice, I know all too well that any individual choosing to practice homosexuality, in any form or to any degree, cannot glorify God and will eventually downward spiral as described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:21-27:
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in them the due penalty for their perversion.”
But the good news is “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8) – no matter how sinister, dark, rebellious or disobedient our heart may be.
How well I remember my first reading of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – “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. 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 and by the Spirit of our God.”
What hope, peace and comfort this passage gave me. Clearly, according to God, anyone can be cleansed from and overcome homosexuality by the blood of Jesus. It has been 28 years since I surrendered my life to Christ and 28 years of victory over homosexuality.
Today, there are those reluctant to call homosexuality sin. However, I would submit to call homosexuality sin actually offers hope to anyone that struggles with homosexuality. The Lord has not changed, nor will He ever alter His Word to accommodate man’s sinful desires and choices.
The reality of an across-the-board crisis of sexual and relational brokenness in America clearly points to an increasing inability, as a society, to make healthy and moral distinctions. Even those who place a high premium on tolerance are obligated to recognize that matters of various sexual lifestyles now threatens the very values and institutions on which a solid and vital society is built and sustained.
What matters morally should and must be determined on the basis of our best understanding about what constitutes human well-being. Today, more than ever, responsible American citizens who truly care for the greater social good of America are obligated to impose, if not place under the microscope, a moral gaze on their sexual behavior. Unfortunately, not every American is willing or responsive enough to such an obligation. What’s more they do not want anyone to hold them responsible.
Those who have the self-respect to recognize that a person is not reducible to his or her desires or behavior truly exhibit a concern for social justice, personal responsibility and a true love for this nation which seeks nothing higher than the welfare of people. When a person’s actions, no matter how well-intentioned or sincere, endanger the well-being of society, criticism is both appropriate and necessary. Irresponsible sexual behavior, is one of our nation’s most destructive realities. How is it in choosing to dismiss and disregard a moral compass, we are shocked by the state of our culture?
Speaking as someone that was trapped for many years in a behavior and lifestyle, thinking there was no way out, I completely understand how anyone might have difficulty in believing in and receiving God’s forgiveness and restoration. “But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God remains rich in mercy and remains willing to deliver anyone. “He is forever our great Sin-bearer and the God who forgives” (Psalm 99:8).
The Way Out
Jesus Christ is the alternative. He addresses the problem – man limited to self – and provides the way through which we can find fulfillment in God and His people. By releasing us from the dictates of the past, Jesus frees us to live as new creatures. The Holy Spirit carries on that process of change in our lives. His Way Out Ministries arose in response to those needs, with the aim of encouraging those with a same-sex attraction background on to wholeness in Jesus. His grace is sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in weakness. He proves the mooring point for a new identity – the center out of which a true sense of well-being can be achieved and enjoyed. As we close to Him we are enabled to reflect His image in our humanity more and more fully.
His Way Out Ministries believes such love is Christ’s intent for us and we affirm His capacity to carry it out in our lives and in the lives of those who seek to be free from homosexuality.
From All of Us at His Way Out Ministries…
To each of you who continually bless us by your encouragement, ministry participation, monthly financial support, offerings and prayers…we remain truly grateful.
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
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