I was recently asked, “How does the law in Leviticus (in the Old Testament) pertain to homosexuality today?” This is a question about homosexuality, but the bigger question involves how we as New Testament (NT) Christians relate to the Old Testament (OT) law. Are we, as Christians on this side of the cross, under the law today? How does the OT law apply to us? Do we have to obey the law?
The larger answer is, “no.” OT law was given to Israel then and there. It guided them in the Promised Land, it set them apart from all the other peoples. It was a covenant between them and God at that time, in that place. Paul explains the law was our tutor or guardian until Christ came (Gal 3:23-25, Eph 2:15, Rom 10:4). The law was a shadow of things to come (Heb 9:10 and 10:1). God intended for a new covenant to be ratified (Jer 31-33). Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matt 5:17-18) and “not one jot or tittle passes away”, making it still in effect, in a sense, but He initiated the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:20). So broadly speaking, technically, it is correct to say we as NT Christians don’t have to follow OT law.
But the OT law is vitally important. How does the OT apply to us today? Although fulfilled, it is still in effect, through Christ. We do not have to follow the OT law for justification, to be right with God, but we do have to follow Jesus and His commands. We are born again and under the law of Christ (John 13:34, Gal 6:2). And, all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, training, correcting, rebuking (2 Tim 3:16-17). The OT and NT together as one unit show us God’s character and gives us direction for how to live. Jesus actually intensifies the OT law and makes it more applicable to us; “you heard that it was said, but I say onto you…” Specifically to homosexuality, we see this pattern from all of Scripture: Adam and Eve in creation (one man and one woman in relationship to multiply), destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for homosexuality, Leviticus laws, Paul’s writings (Rom 1, 1 Cor 6, 1 Tim 1) and the picture of marriage as the church and Jesus, the bride and groom (Eph 5, Rev 19). Clearly, homosexuality is prohibited in both OT and NT as a whole. A general principle: where the NT repeats OT laws, they are still in effect, and clearly the NT repeats OT laws when it comes to homosexuality.
In summary, while it is correct to say we are not under the OT law as NT Christians, the Bible as a whole is binding upon us. Homosexuality is prohibited in both covenants, old and new. It is sin. If you are homosexual or feel same-sex attraction, this is sin. The good news is that Christ came to redeem and free us from all sexual sin and every immorality that is against God’s character and good design. There is hope for all persons to be free from bondage of sin, homosexuality or otherwise.