It is necessary to answer this question in two parts. The first part deals with the way the question is asked, for in the Bible, Jesus says, “No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19). Ecclesiastes 7:20 indicates that “there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” Why does the writer of Ecclesiastes hold such a pessimistic view of man’s spiritual condition? Consider the following verse: “…all [are] under sin; as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, …there is none who does good, there is not even one’” (Romans 3:9,12). As you can see, sin is universal to mankind. This fact is seen in the writer’s use of “all” and “none.” All are under the power of sin; therefore, no one can truthfully call himself good. Might there be an exception? Is it possible that some very religious person (perhaps a Mother Theresa type) could claim to have continually done good all her life? Ecclesiastes 7:20 (quoted above) answers that question.

Let’s get to the second part of the answer. Now that we have established that no one is “good,” I will assume by your question that you wonder why God allows Christians to suffer (a Christian is someone whose sins God has forgiven because they have placed their trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ). In Philippians 1, the apostle Paul says to believers, “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” This verse teaches that faith in Christ and suffering for Christ are both literally gifts of God. A gift of faith? I’ll take it! A gift of suffering? I don’t know if I want to sign up for THAT! But they are both gifts because they have such a positive contribution to make to our lives. God knows that suffering and difficulty actually help develop a stronger faith in us. And God wants His children to have strong faith. So, if this is true, then it means that suffering is a way of life for Christians.

In 1 Peter 5:10, we read, “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” Let’s look at what good God is doing by allowing suffering in the life of a believer:

• To “perfect” you means that God is putting you in a proper condition. This word was used of mending nets in Mark 1:19. It’s a word that means setting a broken bone or repairing something that is broken. As we go through difficult trials, God is eliminating our faults and supplying certain aspects of godly character that have been missing from our lives.


• To “confirm” you means that God enables you to stand true in every test, without giving up in despair. A tornado might tear up the superstructure of a house but a new one can be built on the foundation which stood firmly through the storm.


• To “strengthen” you means to fill you with might. God wants test you so that you will grow strong in the faith. You won’t give up when the going gets tough. Through difficulties God makes mature, great-hearted Christians.


• To “establish” you means to bring you to wholeness of the faith. Your hardships give you a deeper appreciation for the great truths upon which your Christianity is grounded. God develops a deeper faith in you. There’s great purpose, you see, in your difficulties. They are bound to come, and they make you more the man and woman God wants you to be.

Isn’t God amazing? He not only knows about our difficulties; He permits them for our eternal benefit. And if that’s the case, we can even be thankful to God for them. This is truly good news for bad times!

As my son has studied this issue in some detail, he has collaborated with me in answering this question. I appreciate his thorough biblical research and assistance with our fair booth ministry.

The issue of homosexuality is one of the most challenging issues facing the church and our society today. There has been a great deal of argument and debate, and many families have been affected firsthand. Some in the homosexual movement claim that the Bible has nothing to say about homosexuality, or that homosexuality was only spoken against in the Bible's Old Testament. While it's true that God does speak concerning homosexuality in the Old Testament, God also addresses it in the New Testament. This is important for two reasons. First, when Christ died on the cross the old law passed away. This doesn't mean that it became irrelevant. Many of the commands in the Old Testament are repeated in the New Testament. Second, because of the similarity of different laws and commands in both the Old and New Testament, we see an implied moral framework if you will. God's moral laws never change. For instance: it's never okay to steal, murder, commit adultery, worship false gods, covet what belongs to others, or bear false witness against others. All of these moral laws are found first in the Old Testament, but are also repeated in the New Testament. It's because of this framework that we can get a better understanding of what God has to say about homosexuality.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 addresses many various sins and lifestyles that are not pleasing to God.

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators [sexually, any relations outside of marriage], nor idolaters [worship of objects, animals, images, etc], nor adulterers [those who are cheating on their marriage partner], nor effeminate [a man having qualities or behaviors more often associated with women rather than men], nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

So what do we see here? We see that God didn't single out any one sin or group of people. There are many sins and lifestyle choices that are not pleasing to him. Many Christians that you meet will be struggling with temptation with some of these very issues. Living a pure and godly life is not easy. What we are to take away from these verses is that all these sins are displeasing to the Lord. It should be our goal to separate ourselves from these things that displease God, and to do the things that please God.

With that said, there is one particular argument that is currently getting the most attention. Many homosexuals are claiming that they have been homosexual from birth. This is a very complicated argument to refute in the brief space devoted to this question here. But no matter when these desires might have started in anyone's life, God has clearly spoken to the issue in His Word. In Romans 1:24-28 it says, 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

What do we see in this passage? The overall context of this passage deals with the fact that mankind is choosing to live an unrighteous lifestyle. Because of this, God is giving them over to the degrading passions they’re lusting after. What are these degrading passions? Women burning with desire for other women, and men burning with desire for other men. God is condemning this lifestyle very directly.

This is a biblical view of sin that runs contrary to what society accepts today. It is radical truth, but it leads to the radical power and forgiveness of Christ. Hard truth leads to in-depth healing. Romans 3:23 tells us that All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God so that we might be aware of our sin and seek God’s remedy. All of us have sin for which we need God's forgiveness, and all of us deserve punishment for our sins. Romans 6:23 says that, the wages of sin is death. That is what we deserve for sinning against God, but thankfully the verse doesn’t stop there. The end of Romans 6:23 says, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He knew that we would lust after evil things. Everyone may not be homosexual, but all of us have sinned. According to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin just like any other sin. Every sin is an action we commit against God, and every sin has to be paid for.

God's Son, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty for our sins Himself. Yes, that means that he died in our place. Why? Because as violent and horrible as it sounds, our sin can only be covered by the blood of a perfect sacrifice. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice, and now He offers us a way to be cleansed from all our sin. How? How much does it cost? That's the wonder of it all! In Ephesians 2:8,9 it is written, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. This means exactly what it says. We are saved from the penalty of sin by the grace of God. We don't deserve it, and we can't earn it through works. Instead, God freely gives salvation to everyone who believes in Him. This isn't simply believing that there is a God, this is you recognizing that you are a sinner and need God to forgive your sins, this is you recognizing that you can't take care of your own sins and get to heaven by your own works, and this is you admitting that your present lifestyle is sinful and worthy of condemnation, and accepting God's free gift of salvation that Christ paid for you. According to God's Word, homosexuality is sin; but Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. In that, everyone can rejoice!

**Because of the great sensitivity and complexity of this issue, we are aware that much more could be said and further explained. If you would like to receive further information on this subject, please feel free to contact me using the email link at the top of the page.

A person gets to heaven by receiving it as a gift of God. Jesus explains this in John’s Gospel in the third chapter:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." (John 3:16-21)

Pride and Prejudice is the most famous novel of writer, Jane Austin. The main character of the book, Elizabeth, is convinced a wealthy man by the name of Darcy despises her because of her low station in life. But in the end she finally realizes with what intensity and passion he loves her.

The passage above puts to rest the twisted logic that God has always been an angry Judge itching to destroy people because of their sins, but now that Jesus Christ has died for us, He can finally show mercy. That’s got it all backwards. Jesus Christ did not die to enable God to love sinners, but “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” This is just what the apostle Paul wrote as well: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

One of the most dramatic parts in Austin’s novel is when Darcy’s declaration of love is utterly rejected by Elizabeth, and the utter pain this caused him. In the scene, she angrily exposes his shortcomings (and he certainly has some), but the problem is, she completely misreads his character and the many excellent qualities he has. What happens next? He expends intense effort to prove his love to her.

How much more has God clearly demonstrated His love to men alienated from Him! Never, never doubt that love! This great proof of His love is seen in the cross of Christ, His Son. This is how God so loved the world: He gave His Son. Jesus does not say God liked the world. He loved it. He loved mankind so much that He gave a tremendous gift to it. He did what was necessary to deliver it from sin and judgment. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” The Father sent His Son to suffer and thirst and hunger and be rejected, ultimately to die on the cross to satisfy His righteous anger against sin. Could there be any greater demonstration of love than this? Maybe when you think of God you dread the thought of having your sins exposed to His searching eye, and you fear coming to Him. Let me call your attention to the fact that He gave a precious gift to you when He sent His Son to die for your sins.

Look at the next part of the verse: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." That word “whoever” includes you. You don’t have to perish in your sins. “To perish” means the opposite of eternal life. God does not want you to perish. To perish means to remain in darkness; to be forever under judgment; and face the prospect of torment. God wants to save you from that. Whoever believes in the One God sent should not perish but have eternal life. Jesus does not say, “hope to have eternal life.” You will have eternal life right now when you believe. This very moment, if you come to Christ, you will have eternal life!

In verses 17-18, Jesus tells us why He was sent. It was an act of God’s love, not of judgment. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Jesus was sent to earth on a search-and-rescue mission. If God wanted sinners to simply drown in the ocean of their sin, He would not have sent help. The world is already in a lost condition. It is already worthy of judgment. Remember that God has already judged the world once with a world-wide flood in the days of Noah, because of the wickedness of men’s hearts. But God’s purpose in sending His Son was not the judgment of the world but the salvation of the world.

With that purpose clearly stated, Jesus now shows us how God’s love is received. Verse 18 says, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” The whole world is divided into two: believers and unbelievers. The believer is not judged. The unbeliever has already been judged. There is a strong tone of warning here. You must know that escape from the coming day of judgment is accomplished by trust in Christ alone, for He is the only One qualified to turn aside God's judgment upon sinners. Will you be ready?

Someone will say in their heart, “Well, I hope on that Day God will decide to show me mercy, even though I didn’t follow Jesus.” That is a false hope, because of what it says right here in this verse. "He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Unbelievers have already received their verdict. Long before the Day you stand before God at the Great White Throne, your verdict has already been announced. In fact, if you refuse Christ today, God, today, pronounces the verdict, “Guilty!” Why? What is the crime? Because you have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God! You have refused the One God has sent to save you. And in refusing salvation for sin, you remain in your sin and face certain judgment for it. Realize that this warning is meant to stir you to action! May these words grip your soul!

Verse 19 explains to us the world’s response to God’s love. “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.” Though some believe on Him, by far the masses choose to remain in their sin. They prefer moral darkness, in fact, they love it. The reason that most Americans are not saved isn’t because they haven’t heard the gospel. They have heard it and they don’t like it. What they do love is their sin and therefore they refuse to come to Christ. Men loved the darkness. Unbelievers do not grieve over the sin their lives. They do not care if their church preaches a different way to heaven besides repentance and faith in Christ.

Verse 20 fleshes this out more. “For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” They avoid the light. They want nothing to do with Christ. It’s the very opposite of the bugs on a hot summer night that are intensely attracted to any light. They do everything they can to hide from the light. And so they will not want to attend church, especially the Bible is preached. They will find other things to do on Sunday. And it’s not just because they love fishing and golfing or sleeping in. The real reason is that they hate the light. And they fear lest their deeds might be exposed, because their lives are fit only for the darkness.

A believer, on the other hand, comes to the light: “But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." This is the one who has received the truth into his heart and life. Only a believer who has the saving truth of God’s grace in Christ in his heart can live according to the truth. He too, up to the time he saw the light, was doing wicked things. But when the light began to shine upon him and the light drew him, he came to it. The light did its work on him. The result was works wrought in God. There was a true work of the gospel in his heart. He realized his wickedness. He understood that Christ died to make it possible for God to forgive him. He was amazed at the love of God in Christ, and so gladly came to Him for salvation.

Twenty-six years ago the light of the gospel shined on my heart through the gospel message of Isaiah 53. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6) I suddenly realized how sinful I was in every area of life. My relationships. How many people I had hurt. My goals. How selfish they were. I suddenly hated the darkness I was living in. And here was Christ, who suffered and died because of the life I was living. Oh, what love was this!

But if He is willing to receive me; willing to extend His love and forgiveness; willing to give me a whole new life, what should I do but come to Him? And the Light drew me to Himself. I saw the glory of God in the face of Christ and with a joy I had never known, gladly embraced Him as my Savior.

What is the opposite reaction? I shared my salvation testimony with a high school friend by e-mail a few months ago, and pressed the truths of the gospel home to him. And his response was, “No, I am very content in my sinning and unbelief.” Sheer rebellion against the gospel! Sinners shake their fist in the face of the almighty God! But believers are drawn to Him.

I wonder if someone reading this is not yet a Christian. Have the words in this passage created a hunger in your heart to know Christ? I pray that you can finally say, "Lord, Jesus, I will no longer refuse you. I claim the promise of John 3:16 that whoever believes on Christ will not perish but have eternal life. I have been living in the darkness of sin; I deserve to perish; but my Savior, I thank you for coming to deliver me! I receive your gift of eternal life."