Thankfully righteousness does not depend on public opinion, but has it's source in the Lord. You can serve the false god of homosexual rights or you can serve the G-d of Scripture, but make no mistake that you cannot serve both. Either you love Christ who is the Word of God (John 1) or you reject the Word and therefore reject Christ. Jesus said 'But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven' (Matthew 10:33.) The New Testament condemns homosexuality in at least four separate places, including:

1. '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: 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... Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.' Romans 1:26-27, 32

2. 'Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived : neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.' 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

3. 'Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For h0rmongers, for homosexuals, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.' 1 Timothy 1:9-10

4. 'Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.' Jude 1:7

The prohibition against homosexuality is also contained in the Old Testament:

5. 'But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly... But before they lay down , the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round , both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them' (Genesis 13:13, 19:4-5.)

6. 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination' (Leviticus 18:22.)

7. 'If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death ; their blood shall be upon them' (Leviticus 20:13.)

8. 'And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel' (1 Kings 14:24.)

While the ceremonial and dietary laws were temporary restrictions on the children of Israel only, the moral prohibition against homosexuality transcends the Old Testament and is reinforced and repeated in the New Testament. With the coming of Jesus Christ the shadows, ceremonies and sacrifices of the Old Testament Church (which pointed to Christ) have been abolished as we have the reality (Jesus Christ.) We read in Ephesians 2:15 ' Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.' By contrast the moral law on the other hand (including the prohibition of murder, adultery and homosexuality) has never been rescinded and forms part of the enduring moral law of G-d, by which we will all be judged one day.

The Apostle Paul speaks of Christians at the Church in Corinth in modern day Greece who formerly practiced homosexuality. After saying that a 'homosexual... shall not inherit the kingdom of God', the apostle goes on to say (1 Corinthians 6:11) 'And such were (past tense) some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.' In other words, the apostles didn't hide from the difficult moral issues of their day, but addressed them head on, even as there is evidence in the New Testament itself that the various letters and gospels were already starting to circulate (which would have included Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically chapter one.) Paul himself insists that the gospel that he brought was not made conformable to the morality and theology of the men around him. Paul writes ' But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ' (Galatians 1:11-12.)

Again, you can serve the false god of homosexual rights or you can serve the G-d of Scripture, but make no mistake that you cannot serve both.

Thankfully righteousness does not depend on public opinion, but has it's source in the Lord. You can serve the false god of homosexual rights or you can serve the G-d of Scripture, but make no mistake that you cannot serve both. Either you love Christ who is the Word of God (John 1) or you reject the Word and therefore reject Christ. Jesus said 'But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven' (Matthew 10:33.) The New Testament condemns homosexuality in at least four separate places, including:

1. '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: 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... Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.' Romans 1:26-27, 32

2. 'Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived : neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.' 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

3. 'Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For h0rmongers, for homosexuals, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.' 1 Timothy 1:9-10

4. 'Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.' Jude 1:7

The prohibition against homosexuality is also contained in the Old Testament:

5. 'But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly... But before they lay down , the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round , both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them' (Genesis 13:13, 19:4-5.)

6. 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination' (Leviticus 18:22.)

7. 'If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death ; their blood shall be upon them' (Leviticus 20:13.)

8. 'And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel' (1 Kings 14:24.)

While the ceremonial and dietary laws were temporary restrictions on the children of Israel only, the moral prohibition against homosexuality transcends the Old Testament and is reinforced and repeated in the New Testament. With the coming of Jesus Christ the shadows, ceremonies and sacrifices of the Old Testament Church (which pointed to Christ) have been abolished as we have the reality (Jesus Christ.) We read in Ephesians 2:15 ' Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.' By contrast the moral law on the other hand (including the prohibition of murder, adultery and homosexuality) has never been rescinded and forms part of the enduring moral law of G-d, by which we will all be judged one day.

The Apostle Paul speaks of Christians at the Church in Corinth in modern day Greece who formerly practiced homosexuality. After saying that a 'homosexual... shall not inherit the kingdom of God', the apostle goes on to say (1 Corinthians 6:11) 'And such were (past tense) some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.' In other words, the apostles didn't hide from the difficult moral issues of their day, but addressed them head on, even as there is evidence in the New Testament itself that the various letters and gospels were already starting to circulate (which would have included Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically chapter one.) Paul himself insists that the gospel that he brought was not made conformable to the morality and theology of the men around him. Paul writes ' But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ' (Galatians 1:11-12.)

Again, you can serve the false god of homosexual rights or you can serve the G-d of Scripture, but make no mistake that you cannot serve both.

Patrick,

You are wrong to suggest that G-d wills to save all persons, when you say that He gives "everyone sufficient grace for salvation.' To support your argument you quote from 1 Timothy 2:4 which says (quoting from 2:3-5):

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

I noted that you did not quote the whole sentence (of which 1 Timothy 2:4 is one part), but divided it for the sake of your argument. The Apostle Paul says that it "is good and acceptable in the sights of God OUR SAVIOUR..." This verse is speaking of those who will eventually become saved and for whom Christ is their "saviour" (v. 3) and their "mediator" (v. 5.) "All" here refers to all that become saved. St. Augustine explains the verse along the very same lines as I have above. In his "The Retractions" Augustine writes:

He wills all men to be saved, is so said that all the predestinated may be understood by it, because every kind of men is among them. Just as it was said to the Pharisees, 'You tithe every herb;' Luke 11:42 where the expression is only to be understood of every herb that they had, for they did not tithe every herb which was found throughout the whole earth. According to the same manner of speaking, it was said, 'Even as I also please all men in all things.' 1 Corinthians 10:33 For did he who said this please also the multitude of his persecutors? But he pleased every kind of men that assembled in the Church of Christ, whether they were already established therein, or were to be introduced into it.'

It is also false that G-d gives "everyone sufficient grace for salvation." The Bible uses the word "grace" well over one hundred times and not once does it refer to anyone apart from the people of G-d. In fact, the Bible is very clear that the reprobate wicked are not recipients of G-d's favor, but rather of His righteous hatred, so that He has decreed their eternal destruction in hell. We read in Romans 9:11-13:

"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."

To say that G-d desires what He will never do and that His love fails for those who will end us perishing in hell, is to say that G-d is not omnipotent and that His earnest desire to save everyone in the world is a failure. After all, Jesus was clear when He said "...narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:14.) Most of the world will perish in their sins and it is not because G-d's grace was a failure, but because G-d righteously chose to destroy them in the path of their own sins. If the Roman Catholic Church was the "true Church founded by Christ" then surely they would teach what Christ's Word the Bible teaches..

Hi Future, With regards to your points:

Rape?

I would suggest you check your translation source. Your citation of Deuteronomy 22:28-29 comes from the NLT or the New Living Translation of the Bible. The NLT is not a particularly good translation, but you are quoting from the 1996 version which has since been revised and corrected by its translators. The revised 2007 translation corrected this poor translation of Deuteronomy 22 and reads as follows:

‘Suppose a man has intercourse with a young woman who is a virgin but is not engaged to be married. If they are discovered, he must pay her father fifty pieces of silver. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he may never divorce her as long as he lives.’

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 is not referring to rape, but to sex between a man and a woman who are not married. There is no indication of rape, as the Hebrew word for rape 'Chazaq' is used in the preceding verses for a different offense (v. 25), and the word used here in v. 28 is 'Taphas', which means 'to grasp with the hands.' The very first use of the word 'Taphas' can be found in Genesis 4:21 where we read 'And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.' The word 'handle here is the same Hebrew word 'Taphas' and most obviously does not refer to a violent handling, such as a rape, but handling a music instrument (with care.) Again, these two persons were voluntarily committing fornication and her family has every right to demand that the man 'do right' by way of marrying their daughter.

Sex Slaves?

The Bible does not command slavery, but it does regulate it, so that slaves were not to be mistreated. In the ANE (Ancient Near East) it was not uncommon for families to face financial ruin due to war, crop failure, death or disease. In such situations, the family had two choices, namely to starve to death or to sell themselves as servants to work in the fields and houses of their neighbor's.

Having said that, the treatment of slaves was carefully regulated by the Old Testament. Masters were commanded in the Old Testament to love their slaves, both Hebrew and foreign in Leviticus 19:18, 34:

‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD… But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.’ The New Testament echoes this idea by commanding masters ‘Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.’

The woman in view in Deuteronomy 21:8-11 is betrothed to her master, but her marriage has not been consummated. In other words, she is engaged (to use a modern analogy), but has not had sexual relations as this was forbidden by the law. The Scripture is clear that in this case the master cannot simply sell her on to another man after he breaks his engagement, but that he must allow her family to redeem her. Jewish scholars suggest that the redemption price was to take in to account the number of years that she had served and reduced accordingly.

Homosexuals?

Yes, homosexuality is a grave sin, even as the Bible tells us that a “homosexual… shall not inherit the Kingdom of God’ (1 Corinthians 6:9-10.) To live and die unrepentantly as a homosexual means that you will certainly go to hell and endure the eternal wrath of G-d. Thankfully Christ came for the worst of sinners. He came for the drunkards, idolaters and sexual deviants and grants faith and repentance to whom He wills. It is not the purpose of the church to enforce physical laws (such powers are reserved for the state. See Romans 13), but to teach spiritual and moral truth. In that light, a person engaged in homosexuality should have nothing to fear from Christians (as Christians ought to show them the love of Christ), but apart from the way of true faith and repentance, they ought to fear the coming judgment day when they die.

Hitting Parents?

Yes, striking your parents in hatred is a grave sin and not something that G-d looks at lightly. Parents should be honored and obeyed in the Lord. Again, it is not the purpose of the church to enforce physical laws but to teach spiritual and moral truth. In that light, a person who hates their parents should fear G-d, because they are going to have to give account to him. The physical punishment that was indicated in the Old Testament points to a much higher spiritual truth and correspondingly higher spiritual sentence for disobedience (eg. eternal torment in hell.)

Adultery?

Yes, adultery is a wicked perversion of the institution of marriage. Marriage typifies the covenant life that Christ enjoys with His Church. Christ is a faithful husband and never leaves nor forsakes His bride. In that light, adultery distorts the picture that G-d has chosen and also attempts to appropriate something which does not belong to him (stealing.) As I pointed out earlier, the Bible is clear that an adulterer too will not inherit the kingdom of G-d (1 Corinthians 6:9-10.)

Please let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll endeavor to answer them as G-d gives me wisdom.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. The moderator did not delete all my posts, but only the duplicate ones which had been self deleted by a user on this forums. When a post is submitted for moderation, the BT moderator has two options: 1. To delete the post or 2. to reinstate it. As my posts had been deleted dozens of times and re-posted by me, the board moderator deleted the duplicate copies, but kept one of each. I happened to be online at the time and the moderator purposely left each of the most recent of my posts 'active.' My arguments are essentially the same (as the Bible says what it says), but so also are the counter-arguments which are equally repetitive (eg. there is no god or the ever popular straw man arguments regarding the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.) Hope that helps explain your misunderstanding of the situation. G-d bless.

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'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born , not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried , saying , This was he of whom I spake , He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received , and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ' (John 1:1-17.)

It's very sad to see the Belfast Telegraph helping two people celebrate an unholy union which is forbidden in Holy Scripture and leads to the path of spiritual destruction.

We greatly err in thinking that marriage is a man made institution which can be changed as wished, rather than a divinely sanctioned gift from G-d (Genesis 2:24.) The institution of Marriage is a picture which represents the bond that exists between Christ and His church as explained in texts such as Ephesians 5:22-32 where we read in vs 30-32:

'For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.'

In understanding that marriage is a picture of the covenant life that Christ enjoys with His church, G-d typifies a picture of His own choosing which we pervert in attempting to recreate marriage along the unholy lines of homosexuality. Such a false picture does indeed diminish societies understand of marriage as it usurps G-d's authority in ordering marriage as He wills (stealing) and presents a false picture of the union that G-d has sanctioned (lying to our neighbors.) One can serve the false god of homosexual rights or serve the G-d of Scripture, but make no mistake that they cannot serve both. Either you love Christ who is the Word of God (John 1) or you reject the Word and therefor reject Christ. Jesus said 'But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven' (Matthew 10:33.)

The New Testament clearly condemns homosexuality:

1. '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: 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... Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.' Romans 1:26-27, 32

2. 'Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived : neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.' 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

3. 'Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For h0rmongers, for homosexuals, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.' 1 Timothy 1:9-10

4. 'Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.' Jude 1:7

The Old Testament clearly condemns homosexuality:

5. 'But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly... But before they lay down , the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round , both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them' (Genesis 13:13, 19:4-5.)

6. 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination' (Leviticus 18:22.)

7. 'If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death ; their blood shall be upon them' (Leviticus 20:13.)

8. 'And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel' (1 Kings 14:24.)

While the ceremonial and dietary laws were temporary restrictions on the children of Israel only, the moral prohibition against homosexuality transcends the Old Testament and is reinforced and repeated in the New Testament. With the coming of Jesus Christ the shadows, ceremonies and sacrifices of the Old Testament Church (which pointed to Christ) have been abolished as we have the reality (Jesus Christ.) We read in Ephesians 2:15 ' Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.' By contrast the moral law on the other hand (including the prohibition of murder, adultery and homosexuality) has never been rescinded and forms part of the enduring moral law of G-d, by which we will all be judged one day.

Again, you can serve the false god of homosexual rights or serve the G-d of Scripture, but make no mistake that you cannot serve both. Reuben and Williams will have to give account to G-d for the lives they live, whether to His glory or to their own shame in a sinful union.

Regrettably, I have had approximately six posts (including from this article) deleted in the last two days by a person or persons who were obviously unable to answer the Biblical arguments that I presented against homosexuality. Every time, I have attempted to repost the message, these person(s) have continued to delete them (probably including this message.) I have almost never had posts deleted by the Belfast Telegraph online moderators as I try not to make personal attacks on anyone, but stick to the message of the Bible which condemns sin and points us all (especially me) to Christ. Sadly, I did find the irony in having one of my comments deleted on the page ‘Gay lobby sets out to crush all who disagree.’ I’m thankful to G-d to even be worthy of having opposition, be it small or great, because I’m unworthy of the message of Scripture.

I have written to the digital content manager of the Belfast Telegraph regarding the situation, but regardless of what they choose to do (or not do), I’m content that G-d will use His Word as He sees fit, either to save others (which is my deepest desire) or to further cast judgment on their heads for continuing to disparage His Word. Praise G-d alone!

'And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:18-20.)

Hi Emmet, What you are saying is that, if G-d is the absolutely essence of love and goodness, then He should show some sort of false humility and hide who He is, from those He has created to enjoy that perfection. In other words, G-d should hide the very virtues of goodness, love and righteousness and should certainly never suggest to anyone that those qualities are something to be esteemed. After all, G-d does not have a body but is spirit, so His attributes are spiritual attributes.

When we speak of vanity, we usually use the word in relation to other people, people who after all, are human and full of imperfections. G-d is not a fallible person like us or even like the Viking gods who similar to human beings continue to learn and along the way make all sorts of mistakes. Odin for example hangs himself on the tree Yggdrasil in order to learn about the runic alphabet in the hope of giving it to mankind. What sort of god needs to suffer to learn his abc's? As I have said before, the G-d of the Bible is not like the gods of men who react to those around them, but the Lord is perfect and has decreed all things that come to pass, including the salvation of His people and the damnation of those He has reprobated in the way of their sins.

You write that if there is 'something else', you hope that 'we can work out the good from the bad by 'their works.' I certainly agree that we will all be judged by our works, but just as in the real world, a lifetime of taking care of sick animals and feeding the hungry doesn't make up for committing rebellion against the state. Sin is rebellion and G-d does not use a balance to measure the good from the bad as goodness is its own reward. My point about faith and works is that the vilest sinner can still be accepted in Christ, on the basis of what Jesus did and not because the sinner has anything remotely of value to G-d. As Christ pointed out, it is entirely in G-d's power to make the rocks themselves cry out and give Him praise.

You speak of those who call themselves 'Christian' but as we both know that covers a wide spectrum of views concerning salvation, most of which cannot be right. Most people who call themselves by His name say that we can save ourselves if we would only do this or do that. How is this different from those who thought that they could pacify the anger of the gods through any number of sacrifices? G-d does not need us, but He did create us and the way of redemption from mankind's many sins is not through human effort, but only through the work of Christ alone. Yes, there is a hell and judgment day is one day sooner today then yesterday, but we are called to love our fellow man enough to tell them about the awful reality that they simply do not want to hear about. After all, if given the choice how many people would rather choose to have a lifetime full of the most unimaginable suffering if they could simply lose consciousness and be drugged out. Reality is a tough pill to swallow if that reality is an unpleasant one.

With regards to your quote from Matthew 7:16, it is certainly true that Christians ought to be known by their works. I have never suggested differently, but only pointed out that works are not as important as faith, as far as it concerns salvation. The purpose of truly good works is not to save yourself, but to witness G-d's glory to others. Often believers fail as did David, Solomon and the Apostle Peter. Thankfully, at no time was their salvation in doubt because of their murder, adultery, idolatry or apostasy, because G-d promises to complete the work that He has began in the lives of His people, so that we should one day see Christ in the beauty of holiness and be forever free of the wickedness that plagues us on earth.

You say that 'Whited sepulchers would fit the bill' but the point of Christ using that analogy in Matthew 23 is to say that the Pharisees appeared holy and righteous (beautiful white sepulchers) to others through their works, but that their 'doctrine' and real theology were the essence of the problem (eg. full of dead bones inside.) They, like the idolaters around them, did not want a plan of salvation that was completely dependent on the grace of G-d, but was dependent on the works of men, so that they were not on their knees (eg. helpless and dependent on Divine charity.) This is why the religious leaders of Israel rejected their Messiah, because they didn't want to acknowledge their total depravity and rely completely on G-d's mercy alone.

I totally agree that Christians (including myself) do a horrible job in showing our light to a fallen world. I certainly should try much, much harder, but thankfully (and this is not an excuse, but the reality...) G-d will save those He has predestinated to save and His Word will not return void, because He will use it to bless or curse each of us, by either softening or hardening our hearts. Kind regards.

Hi Ned, Yes the only revelation that I have had was when G-d opened my eyes to see that the Bible was the Word of G-d. And while I'm certainly not any sort of expert, I have read it for many years and read many articles by non-believers contesting its claims. To date, I have never found a contradiction that could not be explained rationally, which is not surprising to me, because when I read the Bible, I hear the voice of my Savior who loved me and gave His life for me.

Does condemning sin bring affliction to sinners (including myself?) And if it brings spiritual affliction does this mean that it is wrong and something to be condemned? What happens when a thief is caught red handed by the police in the act of his craft? The thief may feel guilt, anxiety, shame or countless other feelings. I certainly felt all this and much more when I realized that my own sins were bringing me closer to the righteous judgement of G-d and down the path to my justly deserved eternal torment in hell. The message that I was guilty of sin and headed to destruction was truth. How I felt and thought in relation to that truth was something for which I was responsible. I certainly could have taken a sinful course and ended my life, but how would that be any different from the thief committing suicide before the police apprehended him. How would that make the message of the police officer that he was guilty and under arrest any less honorable?

You say that 'homosexuality doesn't harm anybody' but that is not correct. Whenever we as a society embrace sin and bless it, we are harming the spiritual health of society, no less then if we embraced any number of other equally damnable sins. Marriage is meant to picture the covenantal relationship of Christ and His Church and it is not a marriage of equals, but of the head and the 'weaker vessel.' When we distort that picture, we are lying by calling black white and white black, because it is not the truth.

You say 'How awful is it to fall in love and then not be able to have a relationship, ever?' but fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters have on occasion professed their love for one another and entered a sexual relationship. What they profess as love, cannot be love as it is a relationship based on leading one another down a blackened spiritual path that leads to destruction. The Bible tells us that G-d is love, so in order for us to truly love one another it has to be a G-dly love that is not destructive in its very essence. In that light, there is no love between two people practicing homosexuality in the guise of a 'loving relationship' because they too are encouraging one another to a lost eternity under the wrath of G-d. Christians ought to pray for those engaged in homosexuality and show them the love of Christ, but they should not ever leave them with the impression that G-d is not angry with the wicked.

I agree with you that there are probably quite a number of churches in the Western world, and perhaps Belfast too which approve of homosexuality. The Scriptures tell us that judgement begins in the house of G-d (1 Peter 4:17) so that professing Christians who encourage others on their way to hell will undoubtedly have a far greater damnation and shame on the day of judgment. True faith is not about feeling comfortable in the majority of theistic and scholarly opinion, but in believing the one who has written the Holy Scriptures.

It seems a number of people are confused about William's point about a 'homosexual Christian' being an oxymoron. I don't know William (online or offline), but I would imagine his point is that a person can not continue to live unrepentantly as a 'idolater... adulterer... homosexual' etc. and have peace with G-d. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul, writing the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 where we read:

'Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived : neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.' 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

You will notice that William makes this point fairly clear when he says that a person cannot live in sin and live a self-indulgent lifestyle that 'flouts the plain teachings of Christianity' and be saved, simply because they claim the name Christian. Does anyone honestly believe that you can unrepentantly eat meat at every meal and claim to be a vegetarian? Christ did not come save us and leave us in the dung of our sin, but to give us new life in Him. This does not necessarily mean a Christian is a more moral person then those around him, as countless heathen no doubt stayed faithful to their wives, while King David (regrettably) pursued the lusts of his heart. What it does mean, is that a Christian will never be happy to continually live in their sin, which is why G-d granted David repentance to turn from his murder and adulterer. It will also mean that the Christian does not trust in himself as he sees the wickedness and depravity of his own life and so he puts His trust in the righteousness of Christ.

Some of those Corinthian Christians who had formerly practiced idolatry, adultery and homosexuality may have been tempted by their former sins again, but if they truly belonged to Christ, they could not have continued to live unrepentantly in such a damnable lifestyle. Christ did not come to bring a temporary reprieve, but eternal life, so that 'He preserveth the souls of his saints' (Psalm 97:10) or as Christ says 'Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none' (John 18:19.) The fact that the whole of salvation was accomplished by Christ and given to those whom He wills is not meant to make Christians complacent. Christians ought to lead lives pleasing to G-d, not in order to earn their way into heaven, but merely as service to their King, and evidence of a changed heart.The Apostle Paul puts it this way:

'For that which I do I allow not: for what I would , that do I not; but what I hate , that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is , in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin' (Romans 7:15-25.)