What did Jesus say about Homosexuality?

Christians often get attacked because they believe that having sex with someone of the same sex is a sin. Which the Bible clearly says is a sin, just like it says that sex outside of marriage or having more than one sexual partner is a sin. 

Sin is all the same in the sense that one sin separates us from God, and that Jesus paid for all sin. He paid it all on the cross. We are all sinners, and he loved us so much that he paid for our sins so that we may spend eternity with him in heaven. He said that whoever simply believes in him, has everlasting life with him in heaven. 

Now, Ive heard many non-christians and christians say that "Jesus never said anything about homosexuality", well, that is a common misconception. 

In Mark 7:21 Jesus said this:

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders..."

The New Testament was written in Greek, the common language of the time written. The Greek is much more specific in the meanings than english is, allowing for a narrowed down specific/exact meaning. In this verse, Christ uses the word "fornication", which is the Original Greek word: πορνεία. The Transliteration of this word is Porneia.(Where we get the word pornography). The definition of that word is:  illicit sexual intercourse. (adultery, Incest, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.). This same word is used in Matthew 19:9 as the only reason for getting a divorce. In context, in the Mark verse,  Christ is calling any type of sexual relation that is not between that of a man and a woman in marriage, evil, meaning it is a sin. That is just one of the many things he talks about in that verse. 

Of course in our culture & language we see fornication as meaning just "sex" or sex outside of marriage, but because the English language is not as specific as the Greek, this was the closest English word used in the English translations. 

Do I hate people who do those things? Absolutely not! The Bible calls us to be loving and to treat others the way we wish to be treated and to do all things with love. Christ associated with all sorts of sinners. He was kind and loving to all sinners, but he did not condone their sins. He loved the sinners, but not their sins. THAT is the prime definition of Tolerance. Therefore, I love people who sin, but I do not approve of the sin. I don't approve of the sins I do, that is why it is an every day struggle. We are called, as Christians to "hate evil". Sin is evil. We should be more Christlike. We should love others regardless of their sins, but we should not love their sin. 

Giving Up our life for the sake of Christ and the Gospel

Earlier last week well-known Evangelical Christian NFL Quarterback, Tim Tebow announced that he was cancelling his April 29th guest speaking at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas due to "Personal issues" and "New Information". Coincidentally, this was right after the media started investigating the pastor of FBC Dallas, Dr. Robert Jeffress. The media describes Jeffress as a "hateful" "Bigot" simply because he believes in the Bible.
The media has made Jeffress out to be a hateful person because of what he preaches. They act like it is something new and terrible, when in reality,he is teaching what the Bible says and what the Christian Church has been teaching for close to 2,000 years now. Jeffress teaches that homosexuality is a sin, just like any other sin. The media uses this to say he is "homophobic" and hateful to those people. He also preaches the core belief of Christianity, that Faith Alone in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to get to heaven, and anything that teaches otherwise is a lie "from Hell". The media has used this to say that he is hateful towards all other religions. He also has expressed his concern in President Obama's policies. He says that the president's policies are bordering on socialism and are leading the way for the anti-Christ. The media has used that saying that Jeffress claims that President Obama is the anti-Christ.
A simple look into the context of the actual sermons from Dr Jeffress easily refutes the claims that the media has made, and a simple look at the Bible shows that these claims are not hateful in any sense and are hardly anything new.
Tebow, on the other hand, chose to avoid the media fire that might erupt if he spoke at that church. His image would be tarnished in the eyes of the public for being associated with such a "hateful" person like Jeffress. One can understand the reasons behind that decision.

If I were Tebow in this situation, I would've handled it differently. Little does the media know, that Tebow actually holds to the same beliefs that Dr Jeffress does. He has made a name for himself as a devoted Christian football player and is very well respected by people of many faiths. If I were him, I would've held a press conference to explain those views and shown how they, if read in context, are not hateful or bigoted at all. I would've shared the Good News of Christ's love with the world. By "wimping out" because of controversy, he  goes against his beliefs and insults the very God he claims to worship and serve. Christ said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it."(Mark 8:34-35).

This issue makes me realize just how important it is to stand up for the truth of Christ. Later on Christ says, "And what do you benifit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If annyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."(Mark 8:36-38). 

Now, I know that Tim Tebow is a great man of God and has the best intentions, but I cannot help but  be depressed and let down by his recent actions of collapsing under pressure. I agree with what Dr. Jeffress said, “I am grateful for men of God like these who are willing to stand up and act like men rather than wimping out when it gets a little controversial and an inconvenient thing to stand for the truth. God bless men like that.”.

I have come under fire for my beliefs many times. I have had my life threatened multiple times, my family's lives threatened, I have lost many friends and the respect of many people in my town. If this whole thing was about me, I would've fallen under pressure years ago. But this is not about me. My life has but one purpose: to serve the Lord with all my heart. He died the most agonizing death so that I would not have to suffer eternally.He loves me so much that he did that for me. I know I am unworthy of such treatment, but he shows what true love is.

To those of you reading this, remember to stand strong in the faith and always be willing to give the truth and Good news to all that you encounter and never collapse under pressure when you know that what you are doing is right in God's eyes.