What was Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin? Was it flagrant sexual perverseness? Or was it really a lack of hospitality? The latter is the one that’s often presented as an apologetic for LGBTQ acceptance.
The “hospitality” idea is a canard which refuses to go away. The reason is that the world has denied that homosexuality is a sin. It has become a source of pride and self-identification.
The clarity of Scripture
But Scripture couldn’t be clearer. It really needs no further commentary unless one refuses to accept its plain language.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man– and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. Rom 1:22-27
And this,
as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Jude 1:7-8
Infecting churches
Many denominations and particular churches are accommodating openly practicing gays and lesbians. The excuse often given is that we’re all sinners and that if we were consistent, none would be allowed in church, and all should be denied communion.
It is true that all of us sin. But we shouldn’t identify in that sin. We mustn’t identify as “gay” or “lesbian.” Our identity ought to be in Christ as a New Creation, not our preferred sin. Pride is one problem. We want to tell God what is right and good. We set ourselves up as gods.
Those openly attending church with LGBTQ partners are no different to married straight people going to church while flaunting their illicit lovers. One shouldn’t go to church wearing a T-shirt emblazed with “Proud Adulterer,” or “Proud Pedophile,” or “Proud Thief” etc.
Tolerating open and unrepentant sin (of any kind) is similar to allowing dangerously contagious people to sit in the pews with the healthy. Remember the COVID hysteria? Open unrepentant sin contaminates the holiness of God’s people.
Remember Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians who tolerated a man who was sleeping with his father’s wife? See Immorality Defiles the Church. We are commanded to be holy because God is holy.
The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is clear. The question ought to center on why this world hasn’t incurred God’s terrible wrath yet.
Maranatha!
Further reading
Christ’s Call to Reform the Church
What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
Former Lesbian Activist Calls “Soft” Christians to Repentance
Sharing is caring!
