Gay: Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines the word gay as:

1 a : happily excited : merry <in a gay mood> b : keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits <a bird's gay spring song>2 a : bright, lively <gay sunny meadows> b : brilliant in color 3 : given to social pleasures; also : licentious 4 a : homosexual <gay men> b : of, relating to, or used by homosexuals <the gay rights movement > <a gay bar>

synonyms see lively

The world has taken a term that once meant something wholesome and pleasant and has applied it to activities that God calls an abomination (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). In Jude 7 this activity is talked about as sexual immorality and having gone after strange flesh (ESV-“pursued unnatural desire”). Romans 1:20-32 summarizes the worldly mindset that we see all around us today.

Notice 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Those who are considered “gay” or practicing homosexuality are engaged in sexual immorality and need to be washed, sanctified, and justified. The world wants us to overlook these activities as an “alternate life style choice” or as "having no choice" because they cannot help it. We cannot overlook any of these sins in our lives or in the lives of others. If these sins are not repented of and washed away, they will keep us from eternal life!

Cohabitate: This term was prominent in a USA Today news article a little over a week ago. A study was released on the success of marriages lasting 10 years with those who cohabitated prior to marriage versus those who did not cohabitate before marriage. In the past this “cohabitation” was called “living in sin”. Now the world softens the sin to be referred to as “cohabitate”. This tries to give the idea of two individuals living a pure and peaceful life with one another, even though they are committing fornication and sometimes adultery. This choice is made sometimes out of convenience, sometimes because of impatience, and sometimes simply because people want some of the benefits of marriage without the commitment. Some even have the idea of being able to have an intimate relationship with no strings attached.

There are always strings attached when we have a sinful relationship! Let’s look at what God says about such a relationship in Ephesians 5:1-7.

Born Again Christian: In John 3:1-9, Jesus teaches that all people must be born again. Was He talking about a Christian being born again? No, He was teaching that all people who have been born in the flesh physically must be born again spiritually of water and the Spirit. But many in the world talk about “born again Christians” as those who are already Christians having some sort of special experience that sets them apart (on a higher level or calling) than a regular Christian. Something like a super Christian or an exceptional Christian. Brethren, there is no higher calling than to be called a Christian! One who has been born again by repenting of their sins, having their sins washed away in baptism, and rising a new creature to live for Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-7, 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:21-24, Colossians 3:8-17). These passages all describe Christians; all Christians, not just the special ones. The idea of different levels or classes of Christians that many in the world teach is simply not taught in God’s Word. We should be content to be called Christians (1 Peter 4:14-19). We Christians realize that there is only salvation in one name; Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

Have you been born again? Are you living as one should who has been born again?