The liberal media loves to use the terms anti-LGBTQ and anti-gay. They love the term “anti” because of the negative connotations it gives, nothing new to those of us who are conservative Christians. It is not just the media though. All pro-homosexual advocates label those of us who oppose such a lifestyle as being anti-something. Well, truth be told, we are anti-gay and LGBTQ. The question is, what does that mean? Let me tell you what it does not mean.
It does not mean that we do not love those who choose to practice some form of homosexuality. In fact, the very opposite is true. As Christians, we love everyone. That love is expressed, at least in part, by our genuine concern for everyone’s soul, even those we have never met. We realize that homosexual acts will cause people to lose their souls, even if they do not realize it. We oppose anything that will prevent a person from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Since Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:1-6), a person will be eternally lost without Him. Should we ignore this truth because some do not like it or believe it to be true? We refuse to do that because we love those guilty of committing homosexual acts. Does this make us anti-gay? Yes, but not because we have a lack of love and compassion for those who live differently than we do. We are anti-gay for the same reason we are anti-drugs, that is, because, like using drugs, homosexual practices harm people.
Our concern, however, is far more than the physical harm they cause. I know there is still some debate in certain circles about the physical consequences of homosexual living. Those who claim there are no consequences are clearly wrong in my estimation. Nevertheless, our concern rises far above that. As suggested, a homosexual lifestyle will cause a person to be lost, and that is what we desperately want people to avoid. That is not a lack of love. Our anti-gay and LGBTQ stance is based on the love we have for the souls of people.
There is another reason we are “anti” when it comes to homosexual practices. We know that God opposes homosexual activity. All homosexual acts are sinful, and as Christians, we hate sin. This is the point that many miss, or even purposely ignore. As Christians, we do not hate the sinner, we hate the sin that condemns the sinner. This will not change just because culture changes. Every nation in the world can change its view on the practice of homosexuality and begin to push and promote it, but the Bible will still call it sin. It is for this very reason that those who engage in homosexuality cannot have a relationship with God.
God refuses to have fellowship with sin (1 John 1:5-7). As Christians, we oppose whatever God opposes. God opposes drunkenness, so, we do too. God opposes idolatry, so, we do too. God opposes envy, so, we do too. God opposes homosexuality, so, we do too. It is just as simple as that. Being a Christian is not about taking the popular stand. We are usually on the minority’s side. Numbers do not decide what we are for or against. What we oppose or promote is decided completely on the will of God. His will is revealed to us in the Bible. Thus, whatever the Bible says about homosexual activity is going to be our position, and the Bible consistently condemns it.
Leviticus 20:12 (ESV)
12 If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have committed perversion; their blood is upon them.
Romans 1:27 (ESV)
27 And the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 6:9 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
What does it really mean to be anti-gay or anti-LGBTQ? Does it denote hate? No, not at all. It points to the love that Christians have for the souls of men and the loyalty that we possess for God and His Word. If the world wants to hate or misrepresent us for this, so be it.