What does the Bible say about sex, sin, judging, love, and compassion?
Sex outside of marriage is clearly one of the main causes for the growing number of HIV-positive people worldwide. The Bible clearly speaks out against premarital sex by heterosexuals as well as homosexual sex, as well as adulterous relationships. At one time or another, many human beings "want" someone sexually, or lust after someone, whether of the opposite sex, or of the same sex. This is a sin in and of itself: "Thou shalt not covet . . . " (Exodus 20:17) It is another sin altogether to then on this sinful impulse and participate in sex with someone whom one is not married to. As human beings we have direct control [response] over emotions and impulses [stimuli]. Sexual encounters don't "just happen."
Clearly, the use of illicit drugs, whether smoked, swallowed, injected, or whatever, is not only illegal in most countries-- society's laws-- it is something that changes the chemical/biological nature of the human body (physical laws). Contracting HIV through illicit sex or drug use are actions which go against God's laws: See 1st Corinthians 6:15-20.
As we have seen, some people innocently become infected with HIV: either because their spouses [even the elderly] "cheat" on them--have sex outside the marriage--with male or female prostitutes, or extra-marital affairs; some people acquired HIV when they were raped; healthworkers, patients all infants, and others are innocent, yet can be HIV +. HIV and AIDS is not a curse from God against homosexuals or even sexual immorality. Neither is cancer, lupus, arthritis, the Plague, typhoid, ebola, hepatitis, leukemia, earthquakes or war God's curse. They are clear consequences of the sin in this world [separation from God]. In other words, it is indicative of the world's evil nature. God created the Earth, but Satan's world has sin, darkness, death, and evil power under his authority (Luke 4:6), which he uses to tempt us, to torment us, to corrupt us into following him, and separate us from God's eternal love. [See Revelations 13:2 & 7.]
B. God Despises Sin, But Loves His People
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . . " (Romans 3:23)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)
"'Judge not, that you be not judged.'" (Matthew 7:1) As human beings we must follow physical laws: gravity, physics--ignoring them, like jumping off a tower, etc. we die or proving that we cannot go against them. It doesn't matter if we vote to ban gravity for a day, for example. Jumping off a tower will result in death, regardless of what society's law reads. As world citizens, there are societal laws we must follow: civic and criminal laws--don't kill; don't steal, etc. As spiritual being, we must follow spiritual laws: The Ten Commandments, loving one another. When we follow moral laws, physical laws, and God's laws we are making a judgement, saying following these laws is a good, thing. In legislative branches, and in individual lives, we all make judgements on others: murderers are put in prison, etc. To say, "You're ugly, so God doesn't love you." is an evil judgement. Even to say, "You're a homosexual, so God doesn't love you." is wrong. It is okay to judge the sinful actions of people, but not their hearts and souls--that is up to God. Christian should say, "You're a murderer, so you must pay the earthly consequences for you crime. But God still loves you, though he despises your sin. He will forgive you if you will repent and follow Him, 'cause the cost of your sin has been paid by Christ dying on the cross." God redeems all sinners because of the work of his Son on the cross.
All over the world, regardless of how they contracted HIV, people are oppressed: kicked out of their homes, fired from jobs, abandoned in the streets, and generally seen as trash, or as the least of people.
" . . .and he said unto them, 'Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.'" (Luke 9:48)
The God of the Bible, remains a God of Love not a God of scorn or hatred. Jesus said, "And a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34,5)
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