Saturday, July 02, 2011

Could it be celibacy, not homosexuality?


In light of the Empire State's recent legalizing of same-sex marriage and of Dr. Albert Mohler's recent assertion that our Southern Baptist Convention has practiced a "certain form of homophobia," I believe we are in desperate need of a solid biblical foundation to find the necessary sure footing to take a firm stand in regard to this contemporary hot topic.

We cannot cower in our church corners and allow this debate to be framed by a politically correct culture in league with something falsely called science (1 Timothy 6:20). Instead, we, as faithful stewards of the Word of God, must shine the light of Scripture upon this important public debate. It is to this end that I submit the following for prayerful consideration among all Southern Baptists.

The Apostle Paul was undoubtedly as gifted a Christian as has ever lived. In 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, he professed to possess the gift of celibacy. Thanks to this fact, Paul, unlike the vast majority of other men, had no need for a wife. Consequently, he was able to devote himself entirely to the service of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). When you add to this gift of celibacy Paul's extraordinary gifting, it is easy to understand why God told Ananias that Paul was "a chosen vessel unto [Me], to bear [My] name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15, KJV).

In today's twisted world, Paul's gift of celibacy would most likely be misinterpreted as homosexual tendencies.

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