26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
And while one of our presidential candidates referred to this (and the book of Romans) as an obscure passage in the Bible, it is actually at the beginning of one of the most well known letters written by the most well known authors in the Bible. However, in spite of this, I would say that we aren't as familiar with it as we should be. Because I do think it has something to say for those of us today who live in the United States, and specifically in St. Petersburg, FL—home of the largest pride festival in Florida. However, it might not be what we so readily think it is.
First, let's make some observations about the text above. It starts with the phrase, “Because of this...”, or, “For this reason” in some translations. That expression links it with what precedes it, and what precedes it is an explanation of why “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness...”. Note the words, “all the godlessness and wickedness of men”. This text is certainly not merely about homosexuality; it is also about any form of idolatry, any form of suppressing the truth about God (i.e. teaching evolution), any form of sexual impurity (including lust, pornography, fornication, adultery... yes, heterosexual sins). Additionally, in verses 29-32 we find added to the list of reasons for God's wrath (and this is just a sample): greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, God-hating, arrogance, boasting, disobedience to parents...and even cultural approval of any of the aforementioned sins.
Another observation regarding verse 26-27 is that it could certainly appear that the homosexual relations described were not listed as reasons for God's wrath coming, but the effect of God's wrath coming on a culture that has forsaken the worship of God. It seems to be saying that because of our denial of what can be clearly seen even in creation (vs. 20), and our lack of worship of God (vs. 21), and ultimately our worship/idolatry of everything in creation except God our Creator (vs. 25), God gave them over to this homosexual behavior. So rather than thinking that homosexuality is the cause of God's wrath, or fearing God's wrath as a result of this homosexuality, I think Paul is saying that it is part of God's wrath for our personal and cultural denial of God and worship of nature. I believe this ought to strike mercy in the heart of any Christian toward the homosexual given that we know ourselves to be undeserving objects of God's mercy.
Secondly, the conclusion Paul draws from these statements is instructive.
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? (Romans 2:1-4)
Sometimes those chapter markers just get in the way. Paul declares that those who pass judgment on another condemn themselves. How could this be? Because we are all guilty of the sins just listed in his litany of reasons for God's wrath. While we pass judgment on other sinners, do we think we will escape God's judgment? And then there is a statement that I think is very insightful for the believer.
4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
When we judge others in these sins we show contempt or disregard the kindness, tolerance and patience of God. Today most people think of tolerance as if God is saying, “Well, I guess I'll put up with that, after all, I'm a really nice guy.” Or, tolerance in the sense that we must not view anything someone else does as actually being wrong; To think it is wrong is intolerance. But this is not what is meant at all. Here, it may best be translated as the ESV translates it, “forbearance”. It means a holding back or a self-restraint. God is holding back His wrath, giving opportunity for repentance. Why? Because God has made provision for our sin in Jesus Christ. And all of us would have suffered the wrath of God if this were not so. So we have no right but to hold out hope that God would lead others toward this same repentance; even participate in leading them to it in kindness.
A good example of this contrast between man's self-righteous, judgmental response verses God's forbearing kind response that leads to repentance can be seen in David's response to Nathan versus God's response to David. This comes just after David's great sin of taking Bathsheba, committing adultery, conspiring to murder her husband, and covering his sin.
The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4"Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him." 5David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." 7Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. (2 Samuel 12:1-7)
There is a real note of irony here when David's response is contrasted to God's response. David's response to the man in the parable (which is ultimately himself), is one of anger and immediate demands for justice. No pity is shown. Yet, God's response to David (even in lack of pity) was one of kindness, forbearance and leading him to repentance through Nathan the prophet. In fact, God often used prophets to woo His people back to repentance. (Sadly in our day, those who think of prophetic ministry often associate it with blasting people for their sin.) David was disregarding the kindness and forbearance of God. Let's not do the same. As we think of this Gay Pride Festival this weekend, let's pray for those who participate; let's grieve over our own sins contributed in deserving God's wrath, and let's reach out in mercy to those who are caught up in such sin, hoping for the gift of faith and repentance to be given by the abundant mercy of God.
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