Is Homosexuality a Sin?

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According to the Bible, "sin is the transgression of the law" [of God], 1 John 3:4. And, "All unrighteousness is sin" 1 John 5:17. So sin is breaking God's law and all unrighteousness - anything that is not righteous.

One wonders how self-sacrificing love between committed, faithful, same sex partners could ever be described as unrighteous.[1]

When Jesus speaks of sin, He links idle words we say and what we think in our hearts, with sin.

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matthew 12:36

"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." Matthew 15:18

Paul tells us: "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat [forbidden foods], because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Romans 14:23. According to this verse, anything we do that goes against our conscience (causes us to doubt), is sin.

Because Jesus makes it clear that how we treat others plays a large part in whether or not we are living in sin, the correct answer to the question about homosexuality lies in Matthew 22:36-40 and Romans 13:4-10. In those verses, Jesus and Paul sum up Old Testament law in two succinct and pithy tests.

1. Do I love God with all my heart, soul, strength and mind?

2. Do I love my neighbor as myself?

Jesus never asked or answered the question, Is homosexuality a sin? 

Instead, Jesus focused the attention of His listeners on their own lives. He forced them to confront their own shortcomings when measured by the standard of God's word.

Because God's written word never condemns committed, faithful, non-cultic same sex partnerships, we can honestly answer, No, homosexuality is not a sin.