Christian Homosexuality

[Benjie]

Controversial topic, I know. . .

Can a Christian be a homosexual?

Can a Christian be a celibate homosexual?

Can a Christian lead a gay lifestyle and still be a Christian?

These are the questions that face modern Christians. As homosexuality encroaches further and further into "unknown" territory, some are essentially blindly groping for answers to some pretty difficult questions. I pose these queries to you, not to come to the end-all-be-all answers, but just to get us thinking and formulating our own, well thought out and scripturally supported, ideas.

I have had to wrestle with these questions as of late due to some people who are very close to me coming out of their respective closets. I would like to discuss, not argue, the topic of homosexuality and the Christian and come to some sort of resolution to the questions that I, personally, have been dealing with.

Anyone else up to the challenge?

[Titus]

I'm in the same boat Benjie. I have a couple of family members who are gay.Honestly, the charity that they show others, the works they do put a lot of heterosexual christians to shame. If you ask them if they have accepted Christ as savior, they rell you thst they hav, and I want to believe them. So, basically I just love them and treat them like I would anyone else.

[HisDaughter]

Do you really want to go here Benjie?

We know the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. So we know that homosexual behavior is not a sin unto condemnation. We also know that Paul gave recomondation regarding a brother sinning.

1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

It is important to note he called them, these sinners brothers.

Homosexuality is a sin..... no if and or but about it. To ask can a homosexual be a Christian is the same as asking if a thief or adulterer or a drunkard be a Christian. So could you say Christian Adultery . or Christian Drunks or Christian Extortioner.

Regardless as to someone calling them self a Christian we know it is not their behavior that brings someone to salvation. When I know someone who is in the practice of sin and considers them self a Christian I might admonish them regarding the practice of sin, If they reject my admonishment I treat them as a lost person who has knowledge of God. Treating a person as though they are lost is done by being a light of the Lord. Also, knowing that sin brings consequences I plan on being there for them to help them through their difficulties according to how I am lead of the Holy Spirit.

I have a co-worker who is living with her boy friend. She believes God and considers herself as saved. I asked her how she could reconcile living with her boy friend and her relationship with God. She didn't give me a good answer except they are planning to get married. So I have ministering teaching her things of God. She is responding well. I trust that God will complete the work He is doing in her.


Just my 2 cents.

[Philthy]

Controversial topic, I know. . .

For sure...

Can a Christian be a homosexual?

Absolutely!

Can a Christian be a celibate homosexual?

Absolutely - it is very similar to the unmarried heterosexual: they are called to live a life of chastity and abstinence with respect to sexuality.

Can a Christian lead a gay lifestyle and still be a Christian?

Homosexual acts, like heterosexual acts outside of marriage, are a serious sin. I would include it in the "deadly" sins that John speaks of in 1 John 5, and it is definitely included in Paul's warnings to the 1Corinthians and Galatians as potentially leading to the loss of one's inheritance of the Kingdom of God. If one persists in this sin unrepentantly they jeopardize their salvation.

These are the questions that face modern Christians. As homosexuality encroaches further and further into "unknown" territory, some are essentially blindly groping for answers to some pretty difficult questions. I pose these queries to you, not to come to the end-all-be-all answers, but just to get us thinking and formulating our own, well thought out and scripturally supported, ideas.

good thinking. It's not a new topic - it's worthwhile to look to the past in our quest to address what we think of as new, unknown territory.

I have had to wrestle with these questions as of late due to some people who are very close to me coming out of their respective closets. I would like to discuss, not argue, the topic of homosexuality and the Christian and come to some sort of resolution to the questions that I, personally, have been dealing with.
Anyone else up to the challenge?

I'll help where I can. Ultimately you need to deeply search your heart to know that you are always acting in the other person's best interest - to love them. Sometimes remaining quiet, persevering in prayer ,asking what God wishes for you to do and waiting for Him to provide you guidance and opportunity is the best course. Quite often God is actually working on our hearts through these challenges with others that we would otherwise avoid. Be not afraid!

[BobRyan]

In Matt 12 Jesus said that only one sin is unforgivable. It is rejection of the Holy Spirit.

In 1John 5:16 John says that God will not forgive that sin.

That is very different from the sins we find in Lev 18 and 21 which include the listed on this thread.

In Romans 3 we find that all mankind is depraved - all have a sinful nature - all are condemned under the Law of God.

All need salvation - it does no good at all for lost humanity to circle the wagons around one sin and claim "protected status" for it.

in Christ,

Bob

[Titus]

In Matt 12 Jesus said that only one sin is unforgivable. It is rejection of the Holy Spirit.

In 1John 5:16 John says that God will not forgive that sin.

That is very different from the sins we find in Lev 18 and 21 which include the listed on this thread.

In Romans 3 we find that all mankind is depraved - all have a sinful nature - all are condemned under the Law of God.

All need salvation - it does no good at all for lost humanity to circle the wagons around one sin and claim "protected status" for it.

in Christ,

Bob

Actually the unforgivable sin of which Jesus speaks in Matthew 12 is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit; not the rejection of the Holy Spirit, and in the context that it is given, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is attributing the work of the HS to Satan.
Matthew 12:³¹Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. ³²And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

[Benjie]

Do you really want to go here Benjie?

Yep. Sure do. As I said, this is something that Christians need to discuss.

We know the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. So we know that homosexual behavior is not a sin unto condemnation. We also know that Paul gave recomondation regarding a brother sinning.

1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

It is important to note he called them, these sinners brothers.

Homosexuality is a sin..... no if and or but about it. To ask can a homosexual be a Christian is the same as asking if a thief or adulterer or a drunkard be a Christian. So could you say Christian Adultery . or Christian Drunks or Christian Extortioner.

Okay, it's time to define wxactly what we are talking about. There is being a homosexual (I'll use the word "gay" because it's quicker to type out on my phone) and engaging in the gay lifestyle. These are two different things. Simply being gay is not a sin. The ACT of gay sex is sin, but BEING gay is not.

That's kind of where I am going with this. What is and is not acceptable for a Christian in regards to being gay? Again, can a Christian BE gay? I've already expressed my opinion, I'm interested in what others have to say.

Regardless as to someone calling them self a Christian we know it is not their behavior that brings someone to salvation. When I know someone who is in the practice of sin and considers them self a Christian I might admonish them regarding the practice of sin, If they reject my admonishment I treat them as a lost person who has knowledge of God. Treating a person as though they are lost is done by being a light of the Lord. Also, knowing that sin brings consequences I plan on being there for them to help them through their difficulties according to how I am lead of the Holy Spirit.

That's good. Too many "Christians" have the mindset of 'you're lost in your sin, so deal with the consequences', and they refuse to be a Christ-like example.

I have a co-worker who is living with her boy friend. She believes God and considers herself as saved. I asked her how she could reconcile living with her boy friend and her relationship with God. She didn't give me a good answer except they are planning to get married. So I have ministering teaching her things of God. She is responding well. I trust that God will complete the work He is doing in her.

That's good as well, but it is a bit off topic.

Just my 2 cents.

Thank you for being candid and unafraid. I appreciate it.

[Benjie]

I'm in the same boat Benjie. I have a couple of family members who are gay.Honestly, the charity that they show others, the works they do put a lot of heterosexual christians to shame. If you ask them if they have accepted Christ as savior, they rell you thst they hav, and I want to believe them. So, basically I just love them and treat them like I would anyone else.

This is kind of where I am headed. Can a person claim to be gay and also truly claim Christ? Are your family members engaging in the gay lifestyle? If so, I can't see how they can be Christians. I'm still working this out myself, so I plan on using this thread to think things through.

[Benjie]

In Matt 12 Jesus said that only one sin is unforgivable. It is rejection of the Holy Spirit.

In 1John 5:16 John says that God will not forgive that sin.

That is very different from the sins we find in Lev 18 and 21 which include the listed on this thread.

In Romans 3 we find that all mankind is depraved - all have a sinful nature - all are condemned under the Law of God.

All need salvation - it does no good at all for lost humanity to circle the wagons around one sin and claim "protected status" for it.

in Christ,

Bob

Interesting. Not a single bit of this addresses my questions. Hmmm. . .

[Titus]

This is kind of where I am headed. Can a person claim to be gay and also truly claim Christ? Are your family members engaging in the gay lifestyle? If so, I can't see how they can be Christians. I'm still working this out myself, so I plan on using this thread to think things through.

Yes, they are both in relationships and like you, I have wondered how they can be Christians and live in this way. Since you and I disagree on eternal security, you may disagree with my way of thinking on this, but, I knw they were both raised in the church and have both made public professions. If their profession was genuine, then I view them as being in a prodigal state. By looking at their current lifestyle we only see a snapshot taken fromtheir life when you view it as a whole. I hold on to the hope that their faith is genuine, and that they will one day be convicted of their sin and repent. If they do not, ever, then I can only conclude that their faith was not genuine. In the meantime, they are family and I love them as such, and love their "partners" as such. I can't see their hearts; only God can. Had they never made professions of faith prior to engaging in this lifestyle, my thinking might be different.
We know that David committed grave sins, and he reaped serious consequences. His whole family was a mess and that was brought on because of his sin.
Abraham's sin brought forth the birth of a false religion that plagues his seed even today.

If they are christians there will be serious consequences to their actions. They will never know peace until they make things right, and even then there may be lingering consequences that they will have to face. Till then, all I can do is love them and show them Jesus. We know that the "you're a sinner and you're bound for hell if you don't change!" approach rarely works.

I may be full of beans, but this is where I am with it.