January 30

The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31, 32)


Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Any of you who recently followed the discussion with Ellen on Facebook know she indicated she has a homosexual son whom she loves dearly just like he is. I unwisely wrote her I was thrilled she was able to still love her son, in spite of his sin. Trying to get the topic back on the issue I had addressed, I spoke unwisely. One should never be thrilled about such things. It's truly unfortunate the number of people who are duped into believing they just need to love everyone, no matter their sexual preference or condition of sin. Or course, there is a sense in which that is true. We are told to love those who despitefully use us. We are told to love our enemies. And without love, nothing we do is of any consequence (12:14-20; I Cor. 13). The problem arises because of a false concept of what love is. For example, some mistakenly believe not properly spanking their children for inappropriate behavior is love. The bible teaches the opposite (Prov. 13:24; 20:30).

The error also comes when we think one will go to hell for a homosexual lifestyle any faster than he will go to hell for a lifestyle of lying. In Revelation 22:14, 15 we read, "Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons, and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying." Did you see the company of sin in which we find lying? It is aligned with murder, sorcery, dogs, immorality, and idolatry. Unfortunately, the world has swallowed the lies spewed from the mouths of ungodly men who call themselves psychologists, who tell us homosexuality is not a choice, that one is born with a predisposition to that preference. In a sense, that is even true. Every man and woman is born with a predisposition to sin. The problem with such statements is that they hold enough truth to beguile anyone wanting to figure out how to understand them from God's perspective. Every time anyone addresses the particular sin of homosexuality, most people label them homophobic. Of course, the term is not even a word, but that just helps us understand how desperate people are to get the attention off of the problem. The term was invented to discredit anyone who tries to assist those caught up in this particular sin.

So allow me to set the record straight. All who choose to live any lifestyle that is displeasing to God are going to go directly to hell when they die. They will not pass go and they will not collect two hundred dollars. They will go straight to hell for all eternity, and there will be no second chances to repent as taught by the Pope. The only solution to man's sin is Christ's death on the cross. It is not possible to please God unless one repents, gets baptized, confesses Jesus as Lord, believes God raised Him from the dead, and takes up his cross and follows Jesus daily (Acts 2:37, 38; 4:12; Rom. 8:7; 10:9; Matt. 7:24, 25; 10:38). If you're a homosexual, you need to repent; if you're a liar, you need to repent, if you're an idolater, you need to repent; if you're an adulterer, you need to repent; if you're a sorcerer, you need to repent. If you are living any kind of lifestyle that is displeasing to God, you need to repent, get baptized, confess Jesus as Lord, believe God raised Him from the dead, and take up your cross and follow Him. Otherwise, you're going to hell. That's indeed narrow minded and intolerant of any teaching to the contrary; but it's the truth; and it's the truth that will set you free. Love speaks the truth, gently and in kindness; but those who love speak the truth.