Can a Person Be Gay and Still Be a Christian?

[righteousdude2]

I came across a great article in CharismaNews Magazine (Link paste below) Linke is pasted below. Be sure to read it and keep it for your future referrence, as this topic will surely be one that many churches will have to address in the future. It is a well written article, and here is but a taste of its thoughts....Paul says, "Don't fool yourselves," and adds that those who "do wrong" will not inherit the kingdom of God. Those who indulge in illicit sexual sin, or alcoholism, or adultery, or homosexuality, and so on will be separated from God forever.

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/48571-can-a-person-be-gay-and-still-be-a-christian

I'd love to hear from you as to your pros or cons on this article! So, what say you? :wavey:

 

[Revmitchell]

I reject the idea that just because one has a desire for that area that makes them gay. That may be a temptation in their life that they have to combat but unless they are actively engaged in the behavior they are not gay.

To do so is inconsistent with how we view and treat other sins. For example, we do not call someone a glutton simply because they are tempted to over eat. Unless someone consistently engages in such behavior their temptation does not define them. This is just one example but I believe you can get the point.

Now, to be actively engaging in such behavior with either no understanding that it is against God or an outright rebellion against God in this area means you are not a Christian. One cannot say this is who I am and this is just and right and I am a Christian. Not possible.

 

[quantumfaith]

I reject the idea that just because one has a desire for that area that makes them gay. That may be a temptation in their life that they have to combat but unless they are actively engaged in the behavior they are not gay.

To do so is inconsistent with how we view and treat other sins. For example, we do not call someone a glutton simply because they are tempted to over eat. Unless someone consistently engages in such behavior their temptation does not define them. This is just one example but I believe you can get the point.

Now, to be actively engaging in such behavior with either no understanding that it is against God or an outright rebellion against God in this area means you are not a Christian. One cannot say this is who I am and this is just and right and I am a Christian. Not possible.

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Greektim]

I reject the idea that just because one has a desire for that area that makes them gay. That may be a temptation in their life that they have to combat but unless they are actively engaged in the behavior they are not gay.

To do so is inconsistent with how we view and treat other sins. For example, we do not call someone a glutton simply because they are tempted to over eat. Unless someone consistently engages in such behavior their temptation does not define them. This is just one example but I believe you can get the point.

Now, to be actively engaging in such behavior with either no understanding that it is against God or an outright rebellion against God in this area means you are not a Christian. One cannot say this is who I am and this is just and right and I am a Christian. Not possible.

And you reject Lordship salvation because...?

Good post!

 

[Reformed]

I would modify the question in the OP and ask, "can a person be a practicing and unapologetic homosexual and still be a Christian?" The answer to that question is "no".

Mitchell rightly addressed those who have same-sex attraction but do not act on it. But even if they did; if they repented of that sin I do not see how it is different than adultery.

Homosexuality is a serious sin because it is a sin against nature (which God created). We should never waver on our stand against it, as we should never waved on our stand against every other sexual sin. But we should also be wiling to forgive and extend the hope of Gospel to those engaged in those sins.

 

[quantumfaith]

I would modify the question in the OP and ask, "can a person be a practicing and unapologetic homosexual and still be a Christian?" The answer to that question is "no".

Mitchell rightly addressed those who have same-sex attraction but do not act on it. But even if they did; if they repented of that sin I do not see how it is different than adultery.

Homosexuality is a serious sin because it is a sin against nature (which God created). We should never waver on our stand against it, as we should never waved on our stand against every other sexual sin. But we should also be wiling to forgive and extend the hope of Gospel to those engaged in those sins.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The next natural question would be, what do "we" mean by "practicing"? Is it the sin (act) itself, or the combinatorics of the act and the posture of ones heart?

 

[Zaac]

I reject the idea that just because one has a desire for that area that makes them gay. That may be a temptation in their life that they have to combat but unless they are actively engaged in the behavior they are not gay.

To do so is inconsistent with how we view and treat other sins. For example, we do not call someone a glutton simply because they are tempted to over eat. Unless someone consistently engages in such behavior their temptation does not define them. This is just one example but I believe you can get the point.

Now, to be actively engaging in such behavior with either no understanding that it is against God or an outright rebellion against God in this area means you are not a Christian. One cannot say this is who I am and this is just and right and I am a Christian. Not possible.

I've said in the past that sexual orientations are perhaps a little bit more complex than we like to believe some times.

We don't say to the heterosexual who identifies as a heterosexual that he's not a heterosexual just because he hasn't ENGAGED in "heterosexual sex acts".

So why would we say that to the homosexual?

I know adults and kids who haven't engaged in any acts but they consider themselves gay because they are attracted to people of the same sex.

How about lust? Would we consider someone gay who has only lusted for the same sex but not engaged in a sexual act gay?

These are actual questions that people have asked me in the past.

I would still venture that it's a good idea to not try to deal with just this one area and to address people who struggle with this from the perspective of ALL of their sin, and not just one.

 

[Zaac]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The next natural question would be, what do "we" mean by "practicing"? Is it the sin (act) itself, or the combinatorics of the act and the posture of ones heart?

Thus the lust question.

 

[annsni]

mattmoore.com

Read Matt's blog and you will find some great thoughts on this subject. Matt is a Christian man who struggles with same sex attraction but he has denounced that lifestyle and has chosen to live a life for the Lord. I've had to rethink my beliefs on this subject and I feel that I've come to the conclusion that while the lifestyle is a choice, the sinful desires behind them may not be.

 

[convicted1]

That link doesn't work correctly, Sister Ann...

 

[HAMel]

One who truly accepts the Lord as Savior will forever be addicted to whatever vice they might have. An alcoholic will always be an alcoholic. His sobriety maintains as long as he doesn't revert to the bottle. The same probably aptly applies to a homosexual. As it would to one addicted to petty thievery. Or habitually lying; gossiping, etc.

 

[McCree79]

I reject the idea that just because one has a desire for that area that makes them gay. That may be a temptation in their life that they have to combat but unless they are actively engaged in the behavior they are not gay.

To do so is inconsistent with how we view and treat other sins. For example, we do not call someone a glutton simply because they are tempted to over eat. Unless someone consistently engages in such behavior their temptation does not define them. This is just one example but I believe you can get the point.

Now, to be actively engaging in such behavior with either no understanding that it is against God or an outright rebellion against God in this area means you are not a Christian. One cannot say this is who I am and this is just and right and I am a Christian. Not possible.

Well said brother

 

[Zaac]

Well said brother

I believe Rev's statement is a bad comparison. Unlike gluttony, there are many layers to sexual orientation.

With gluttony, you're either overeating or you aren't.

With sexual orientation, there's attraction, there's lust, there's the actual sexual acts, and so much more.

So yes, the idea that just because one has a desire for that area that makes them gay, should be rejected because there's much more to identifying as gay just as there is to identifying as straight.

I don't know of any straight men who have had to have sex with a woman before identifying themselves as straight.

That may be a temptation in their life that they have to combat but unless they are actively engaged in the behavior they are not gay.

So likewise, should we presume that unless someone is actively engaged in heterosexual behavior they are not straight?

 

[Zaac]

One who truly accepts the Lord as Savior will forever be addicted to whatever vice they might have.

I'm not sure if this is true or not. But I do believe that there are strongholds in people's lives. And they use these things to deal with their brokenness. Everybody has something.

But are we to believe that someone who is indeed a follower of Christ but who struggles with a stronghold can be snatched from God's hand because of that stronghold?

I don't believe that to be Biblical and I think sometimes people can just struggle. And we who are spiritually stronger have to come along side them and while correcting them, also discipling them into a stronger walk.

 

[Reformed]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:



The next natural question would be, what do "we" mean by "practicing"? Is it the sin (act) itself, or the combinatorics of the act and the posture of ones heart?

Jesus said that a man who looks on a another woman, to lust after her, has committed adultery already in his heart. The same principle applies to all sexual sin, which includes homosexuality. If a person struggles with same-sex attraction that may be a battle they will deal with for a long time. God never promised to remove the source of temptation, just a way of escape in dealing with it.

Of course actually engaging in homosexual activity removes all pretense or doubt. Is the attitude of the heart worse/better than the physical act? Only in scope. The physical act draws another person into the sin.

 

[Zaac]

Jesus said that a man who looks on a another woman, to lust after her, has committed adultery already in his heart. The same principle applies to all sexual sin, which includes homosexuality. If a person struggles with same-sex attraction that may be a battle they will deal with for a long time. God never promised to remove the source of temptation, just a way of escape in dealing with it.

Of course actually engaging in homosexual activity removes all pretense or doubt. Is the attitude of the heart worse/better than the physical act? Only in scope. The physical act draws another person into the sin.

Which is exactly my point. It's a little too basic to say that someone shouldn't call themselves gay just because they aren't engaged in the behavior( and by behavior I'm assuming we're talking sexual behavior).

People identify with certain orientations for a whole host of reasons that we may never completely know or understand.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how can we point this person towards Christ? And if they are in Christ, how can we lovingly help them walk in alignment with Christ no matter what word they use to define their sexual orientations?

 

[Reformed]

It does matter. If a person calls themselves a Gay Christian they are identifying themselves with something other then Christ. It would be the same if they called themselves a fornicating Christian. There is no such thing (although Christians sin in this area).

 

[Zaac]

It does matter. If a person calls themselves a Gay Christian they are identifying themselves with something other then Christ. It would be the same if they called themselves a fornicating Christian. There is no such thing (although Christians sin in this area).

To whom does it matter? Is Christ going to have a fit because someone He has forgiven chooses to call themselves a Gay Christian?

We should not confuse it mattering to us with it mattering to God.

At the end of the day, if you're following Christ and living in an obedient manner that brings glory to Him, I don't know that He's gonna care that you've called yourself a Gay Christian.

I don't know why someone would want to call themselves anything but a follower of Jesus anyhow.

But at the end of the day a person who calls himself a gay Christian and who is loving God and other people while keeping God's commands is more in line with being a Christian than some of the folks in the church who call themselves just Christians while exhibiting NOTHING of the fruit of the Spirit.

 

[McCree79]

Jesus said that a man who looks on a another woman, to lust after her, has committed adultery already in his heart. The same principle applies to all sexual sin, which includes homosexuality. If a person struggles with same-sex attraction that may be a battle they will deal with for a long time. God never promised to remove the source of temptation, just a way of escape in dealing with it.

Of course actually engaging in homosexual activity removes all pretense or doubt. Is the attitude of the heart worse/better than the physical act? Only in scope. The physical act draws another person into the sin.

Acting on sinful desire is always worse than just thinking it. If I have lustful thoughts for another married woman, and she has lustful thoughts for me, we only hurt ourselves. If we act on the desire, we hurt our spouses, our children, friends & family. Acting on sinful impulses almost always produces collateral damage. That damage may breed hate in those hurt. Causing them to , perhaps, seek revenge. Acting on sin is much worse than the desire of the heart. Perhaps not for the one with the desire, but for its effect on everyone around. Well, I think I would be worse on the one who acts. They now would have to deal with the guilt of their conscience and repair the damage they have done. The act is worse than than thought.

 

[Reformed]

To whom does it matter? Is Christ going to have a fit because someone He has forgiven chooses to call themselves a Gay Christian?



We should not confuse it mattering to us with it mattering to God.



At the end of the day, if you're following Christ and living in an obedient manner that brings glory to Him, I don't know that He's gonna care that you've called yourself a Gay Christian.



I don't know why someone would want to call themselves anything but a follower of Jesus anyhow.



But at the end of the day a person who calls himself a gay Christian and who is loving God and other people while keeping God's commands is more in line with being a Christian than some of the folks in the church who call themselves just Christians while exhibiting NOTHING of the fruit of the Spirit.

If you are living for Christ you will not self-identify with a perversion that Scripture condemns.