how do christians reconcile jesus' command to love one another with deuteronomy's stance against homosexualty

Answer 1

Psalm 5:5 God hates all workers of iniquity. Jesus says love one another. I am somewhere in the middle.

Answer 2

Quite handily, actually: many of the laws of Deuteronomy were in effort to keep the Jewish culture pure and as close to God as possible, though the Jews were not always very good at keeping the law... The punishments for various sins were necessary retribution not necessarily for giving people "what was coming to them", but also to make sure that people didn't give in to impure ideals.

It's very hard to see how homosexuality DOESN'T come naturally, because there are many related traits that really do come naturally. Given time, Jews probably would have accepted that homosexuality was natural had they been allowed to stick around. It is sad that they had to die, but, in the long run, it was probably beneficial to ensure that the largest number of people came to fulfill their purpose of praising God.

Today, though, Jesus has fulfilled the purpose of the law, which is to bring us to God (meaning Jesus has brought us to God, for those who aren't good at math). The focus has moved away from the Jews and on to the whole of humanity, so there is no more "keeping one group pure", and furthermore, the punishments for the laws are no longer necessary. The principles that the law reflects are still valid, but we must keep and reflect those principles in love instead of self-preservation.

Answer 3

How did Jesus reconcile His own command to love one another with Deuteronomy's stance against adultery? Didn't He associate with adulterers and other "sinners?"Just look at how He rescued the woman caught in the act of adultery (recorded in John 8 I think) who was dragged to Him. He did not condone her act of sexual immorality, but He did not try to sermonize her and He even said that He did not condemn her, while making the point that none of her accusers even had the right to condemn her. He definitely did tell her to go and leave her life of sin, but only after helping her.
Shouldn't we try to deal with such a similar sexual sin issue the same way? Sin is sin, but we don't have the right to condemn. Christians would do well to remember that their own sins, without God's grace, also make them worthy of death. Also, with the measure we deal it will be dealt to us. Love comes first.

Answer 4

It doesn't say to hate gay people in the new testament...but it does say in both the new and old testament that homosexuality,along with many other things are sins...period. Plus Jesus came long after Deuteronomy, and did preach to love one another and that is actually what most of us do..Hate the sin not the sinner.

Answer 5

Jesus did state that he gave a new commandment "love One Another" I am not familiar with Deuteronomy but in Romans it states a man shall not lay with a man. Loving one another in spite of their lifestyle choices whether they be homosexual, communists, atheists, or whatever so called out of societal norms is a hard commandment to follow. Think about that....how easy is it to love someone who is a complete jerk to you....a bad driver on the road....a meddling in-law.....these are simplifications but at a basic level it is extremely difficult to "Love One Another".....

Answer 6

It is no great feat to love someone even when they are wrong. That is done all day, everyday. We do that even for the people within our own households. I see no conflict of interest or hypocrisy there. ALL people experience this, whatever their faith, even people who profess no faith.

As a person of Christian faith, I do believe that homosexuality is wrong. That does not mean that I can't appreciate your warmth, your sense of humor, your great story telling abilities, your singing voice etc etc....it doesn't mean I can't accept you as my friend and love you for what you are. But it does mean that I can not lie to you and tell you that a homosexual life is ok with the God that I worship.

Answer 7

Why do people equate loving someone with agree with what everything they do? If I discipline my child does that mean I no longer love them? Of Course not. I have several homosexual friends and during get togethers 1 or 2 will compare what they go through to the plight of African-Americans. It is ridiculous to me but that does not mean that I don't love them dearly. I just don't agree with what they do, But we are friends because I also know that they are more than their sexual preference and I am more than a single opinion. We agree to disagree and move on to our friendship.

Answer 8

Jesus was light years ahead in spiritually understanding God's word compared to any of the contributors to the bible. Jesus came to clarify false beliefs and misunderstandings. There's nothing to reconcile.

Answer 9

regardless of what sins a person commits, if it be pride, murder, theft, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, laziness, ect. If someone is caught up in these temptations, a true child of God will love that person in the sense that they will want the very best for that person, that they would seek peace, pursue it; and one day have a home in heaven.

Everyone should likewise should realize that if they love others, love will cover a multitude of their sins:

1Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Answer 10

God is 100% against all sin. Christians are to love all people, not the sin.

Most people are ashamed of their sin, which is why you won't hear someone identify with their transgression. Homosexuals on the other hand are the only group of people that identify themselves with their particular sin. Do you see a group of pedophiles wearing pedophile t-shirts, going to pedophile rallies, introducing themselves as a pedophile?