Salvation for Homosexuals

I like what J.I. Packer has to say about this subject.

http://www.banneroftruth.co.uk/Articles/2003/01/walked.htm

 

Is there such a thing as a practicing homosexual being a Christian? Let me make this prefectly clear. Can a practicing homosexual continue in their lifestyle and be saved?

All of us who are saved have sins that we commit regulatly. Homosexuality, or the abstaining thereof, has nothing to do with salvation.

 

Gotta disagree Johnv,

It has been stated over and over again, but some refuse to "get it," or don't want to get it. There is a big difference between a person who acknowledges a problem with a sin and is praying for the Holy Spirit's help and trying to overcome the temptation, and desires in their heart not to commit that sin again, with the person who's mindset is, "I have a problem with such and such a sin. I've tried to overcome it and can't. So God will forgive me if I keep on doing it. And by the way, it's OK to do it because God understands my weakness!"

Notice I didn't mention homosexuality. It applies to any sin. I, along with J.I. Packer can tell you, I'm a non-practicing adulterer! I have committed the sin in the past. I have not committed the sin in many years, because "the love of Christ constraineth me!" -- 2 Cor 5:14 You better believe I am tempted often, but I "flee temptation."

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." -- John 14:15 I don't think Jesus meant there is no room for error, but this points to the difference between the person who doesn't think twice about repetitive sinning and the person who, when they stumble and sin, is deeply convicted immediately, asks for forgiveness, and has a heart desire not to do it again. They may stumble again latter on and repeat the repentance, but they are not engaged in perpetual sin.

The practicing homosexual is no different than the practicing murderer! Yet society wants to convince the Christian community that there is a difference. In God's eyes, there is no difference!

 

What about a practicing gossip?
Or, a practicing liar?
Or, a practicing deceiver?
Or, a practicing adulterer?

 

All the same - unrepentant sinner in God's eyes! One cannot be consciously determined to continuously repeat a sin and be remorseful (repentant) at the same time. My dictionary says the religious (and it actually differentiates) definition of repent is: "to feel regret about a sin or past actions and change your ways or habits." -- Encarta World English Dictionary

No change = no repentance!

[ February 04, 2003, 07:34 PM: Message edited by: John Wells ]

 

It makes me very sad to see that so many Christians do not even know what one of the basic truths of our faith is. Ref. 1Corinthians 5:9,10---"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." Let us not let our own feelings on this (or any) subject sway us from the plain truths of the Bible. How far have we as a group fallen from the straight path?

 

Interesting that it lists male prostitutes, but not female prostitutes.

Equally interesting that it so far as to list swindlers as well. If we cheat on our taxes, we're therefore not going to inhierit the Kingdom of God. This verse clearly tells me that none of us are any better an homosexuals. So let's stop acting like we are.

 

johnv, what happened to your claim of being a conservative?

 

I didn't know stating that all of us are sinners is a liberal view.

 

Johnv,

I've about run out of ways to get the difference across, so let me quote someone much more eloquent than I:

 

I don't disagree with anything in that quote. Can I be a conservative now?

 

Q: Can a practicing homosexual continue in their lifestyle and be saved?
A: Yes, it's called saved by grace!

Q: Can a practicing Gay Activist or Homosexual promoter like Josh,etc continue in their lifestyle and be saved?
A: NO, it's called the spirit of the anti-christ!

 

Johnv,

You pass the end of course test . . . welcome to the club!

Marty,

Sorry, you get a 50 and are remanded to study hall!
Your first question - see Packer's "Second" point: "sin that, if not repented of and forsaken, will keep people out of God's kingdom of salvation." He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy (grace). Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

OK, I'll dispense grace and give you extra credit for your second answer . . . 75, you pass!

 

When I was a child I did childish things, but now I am man and I have put away childish things.(paraphrase)
If a homosexual gets saved s/he is born again, in a very real sense a spiritual child. As with any other child there is a period of growth and maturity that must take place.
We should not forget the biblical concept of sanctification:
I am sanctified, our legal standing
I am being sanctified, our process of maturity
I will be sanctified, our hope
As with all children they grow at a different rate, but that doesn't mean we give up on them.

Besides if they do show a lack of fruit in their spiritual lives we are instructed to treat them as an unbeliever. How do we treat unbelievers? We build a relationship with them by meeting needs, spiritual and physical, and continually share with them the life changing love of Jesus Christ. So if you are looking for an excuse to distance yourself from homosexuals, you won't find it in scripture!