The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Grace H. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Homosexuality
According to God's word, homosexuality is a sin. In Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 it says "they have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." God finds homosexuality completely wrong and unnatural, a perversion of His will for marriage.
Although rampant, this perversion will not go unpunished. 1 Corinthians 6:9a says "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" Rather, "they shall be put to death." Those that follow this lifestyle without repentance don't comprehend what they have coming. In Deuteronomy 28, God repeatedly states that those who practice immorality will be cursed with disease, pestilence, frustration, confusion, destruction, unrighteousness, and evil. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 says, "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might."
In one of John Pipers' sermons, he is talking about Colossians 3:6, "On account of these the wrath of God is coming." This is his view on the wrath of God, "it stops tsunamis dead in their tracks. You have never ever dreamed of a tsunami like the wrath of God. Infinite omnipotent anger you don't want to tangle with on the judgment day. And God doesn't want you tangle with it either." God views sexual immorality differently than other sins. In 1 Corinthians 6 it says "all other sins are outside the body", but flee from sexual immorality for it is sinning against your own body, and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 3:16
So what is God's standard for us? The Bible says to consecrate yourself, live a holy life, don't be conformed to this world, do not defile yourself, let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, stand firm, live an upright life. We must strive for these goals every day, following the word of God, and having no tolerance for this vile act. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 tells us it is not wrong for Christians to judge on these matters because we have the mind of Christ to instruct us. Along with this, we are to "exhort one another daily" Hebrews 3:13a. So we must confront each other about sin and forgive one another after repentance. "Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him." Luke 13:3-4.
Don't despair for those in sexually immoral sin, for there is hope! God is a God of mercy and forgiveness. 1 Corinthians 6:11 says some were in sin but are now washed clean, sanctified, holy and justified by God. Also in Romans 6 it says you have been set free, given the gift of God! Salvation is free, but holiness does not come without effort and faith on the sinner's part. "Put on holy things and let Christ dwell in you, put to death earthly sins; put off your old self, the corrupt and deceitful desires. Then God will renew your spirit and put on you the new likeness of Him in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:23-24). "And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:7. So run for your life from sin. It is the destruction of human dignity. The road is not easy, but take hope for your brothers throughout the world are enduring the same type of battle. With God's help it is possible.
