SODOMY: THERE IS NO OTHER WORD FOR IT

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,

I had it in mind to base my message for this week on a particular theme, but the recent outcry against Nigerian government over the signing into law of anti-gay bill made me decide to resend the message below firstly sent out on November 12, 2011.

SODOMY: THERE IS NO OTHER WORD FOR IT

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In 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. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:26-28 NIV).

The Yorubas have a saying, “Ohun ti ko dara ko ni oruko meji. Ohun ti ko dara ko dara ni.” Literally, this means, “What is not good has no other name. What is not good is not good.” For a right thinking person throughout the world, the trend of same-sex marriage is detestable and an aberration of nature. However, the trend is gaining more ground every day. The supporters of this trend are of the opinion that there is nothing wrong in the fact that two grown-up people of the same sex agree to live together as “husband and wife”! Many countries of the world have legalized or recognized this. The United Nations has even passed a resolution in its support. The debate is still going on in many countries for and against the trend.

Interestingly, the trend is not new. It has been in existence for centuries. The word “sodomy” came from the homosexual act of the people of the city of Sodom in Genesis 19:5. The act was one of the reasons why God destroyed the city. Unfortunately, this did not serve as a warning to other people. In spite of God’s expressed laws against such act (see Leviticus 20:13; 18:22), even some of the people of Israel engaged in the act (Judges 19:22)! It is even unheard of that there are gay bishops now in some Christian denominations! Because people that perpetrate and support such act have closed their minds to right thinking, Apostle Paul, while addressing this issue, said thrice that “God gave them over to” their depraved minds.

It is of no use to dissuade the perpetrators and supporters of same-sex marriage from the act. A normal person would not think of such a thing, not to talk of doing or supporting it! Prophet Micah said, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you...” (6:8 NKJV). However, a note of warning should be sounded here: one who engages in sexual act with another person of the same sex and/or people who support such act will probably one day engage in and/or support other worse sexual perversions like incest and bestiality. There is no other word for it.  “What is not good has no other name. What is not good is not good!”

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

In addition to the above note of warning, let me say here that fundamental human right must never be used to cover sin or any perversion whatsoever. As good as fundamental human right may be, in Apostle Paul’s words, “My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don't use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love” (Galatians 5:13 ERV). A word is enough for the wise.