How should christians treat the saved homosexual?

[Alive in Christ]

Matt 2227....

Originally Posted by Matt22:37-39
MERCY and COMPASSION: A much needed commodity in our society today. What does it mean to have these virtues and why do we not see more of it? I thank the Lord that He has given me either by genetics or by experience the ability to show MERCY and COMPASSION. In one sense, I do think much is inherited, as my kids and I are pretty good natured, (People-People) so I am sure ones innate temperament plays a huge role. When I took a test on spiritual gifts many years ago I scored equally high on FAITH/WISDOM, then equally high on SERVING/GIVING and then MERCY and others to follow. (Of course this is a Baptist church, so no sign gifts…which is another study in itself which I actually personally wrote about in 1991 that was 8 pages long, no computer, took me close to a year to put together) Anyway, I honestly believe and I know many will disagree that I think many of our innate gifts can transfer over to spiritual gifts. I also fell the closer one is to God the more God can do with them... I also know God can totally do such a transformation in one’s life under His power to do just the opposite, such as Moses. But for the “most” part if one has COMMON SENSE (Is it really common, that is what I want to know?) then they will have WISDOM. If one has a HEART then they will GIVE, ACT and show MERCY, if one has APPRECIATION then they will SERVE, if one is not prone to WORRY, but has a very TRUSTING nature they will have FAITH…see what I mean?

Anyway I am not going to focus on just Christians, showing Mercy and Compassion is for everyone to practice no matter who you are, or what you do. Mercy is defined as “Forgiving Someone Of An Offense” it may well be warranted that you hold a grudge against that person or that you make sure they know what they did wrong and that no matter what they do or say there is no way you will forgive them. If I remember correctly JESUS forgave every sinner that confessed his sins. So why should we be any different? I mean isn’t the bottom line, (It is for me) that we should “Do Unto Others As We Would Have Done Unto Us?” …I’m sure this isn’t news to many of you, but I’m going to BLOW it at times in what I say or do, that is a fact till the day I die. And so will you. For one, our PERCEPTION alone will cause us to either be offended or to offend, just the way it is….for now. But the key to allowing MERCY to take place is in proper communication STARTING with the ONE WHO IS OFFENDED to say something to the one he feels has offended him and have an open HEART to try and understand the other person’s side…who knows maybe it wasn’t at all what you thought it was and your perception wasn’t reality. MERCY is; no matter what that person said or did, and if they have tried to make it right or are remorseful for it, then YOUR JOB given to you by a higher power, is to forgive, and pray you don’t do the same to someone else. By your NOT forgiving you are now the one OFFENDING…see the irony?

A great example of showing MERCY (and I’ve heard many of these) is a victim or family member of a victim forgiving the offender when they deserved JUSTICE. Think of a MURDER or RAPE situation. The offender may be required by law to pay the penalty, but the victim carries on a relationship with the offender as if they were their best friend…that is the ultimate example of MERCY and is what Jesus did for us. I do think it is much easier (I know it is for me) to show Mercy to someone who is actually REMORSEFUL for what they have done and has tried to do what they can to make things right…if not, than it is hard if not impossible without God’s grace flowing through you.

COMPASSION: Is going a step beyond EMPATHY, it is actually doing something about the “feelings” that make you stop and say, “what is wrong with this picture and how can I fix it, so we can go back to harmony.” I want to live in a world where people get along; a beautiful world based on harmony. (don’t we all?) I want to live in a world where we take care of each other, we are not to live isolated lives…the saying “NO MAN IS AN ISLAND” rings true. There is strength when two or more people are gathered, when the more strands you have the tougher the rope, where one does the right thing because it is the right thing to do. I can’t help but think sometimes, by the GRACE of God there go I. I want someone to be there when I need them… not IF, but when. The song “LEAN ON ME” and “YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND come to mind.

I guess my bottom line is, everyone cries out, especially models lol… that their deepest wish for mankind is that there be PEACE...Specifically “World Peace” well guess what, if you really do want that then it STARTS WITH YOU!...it starts with me. But I am only responsible for ME! …in closing I say…
Peace through Mercy and Compassion

Excelant post. Good job. :thumbs:

 

[Matt22:37-39]

Thank God He gave it too me...

 

[Oldtimer]

If this thread had been titled:

How should christians treat the "SAVED" serial killer?

or

How should christians treat the "SAVED" child molester?

each of which proclaims they will continue in their sin, would your response be the same?



-- Would you vote for either to become a member of your church on Sunday morning, knowing what they will be doing Sunday night?

-- Would you break bread with a murderer who tells you he or she will kill again before the two of you meet again?

-- Would you call a pastor for your church who publically states he will continue to rape children?


Yes, we are all sinners and fall short everyday that we walk in this fleshly body. I know I do. Some days are worse than others when satan throws larger stumbling blocks in my path. Because I've made a profession of faith, should the members of my church tell me that it's OK to continue to do whatever it may be that causes me to sin?

Especially, when along with my profession of faith I tell them that I have no intention of abstaining from those sins?

:null:

 

[Steadfast Fred]

If one has no intention of changing his or her sinful lifestyle, a profession of faith is void of carrying any weight.

Faith without works is dead, being alone.

 

[Salty]

If one has no intention of changing his or her sinful lifestyle, a profession of faith is void of carrying any weight.

Faith without works is dead, being alone.

"Changing his sinful lifestyle" are we talking only about h0mosexuality, and the items listed by Oldtimer ?

Would that also include the seven deadly sins?

 

[Steadfast Fred]

"Changing his sinful lifestyle" are we talking only about h0mosexuality, and the items listed by Oldtimer ?

Would that also include the seven deadly sins?

That which we often refer to as "The seven deadly sins", God says are an abomination to Him

Revelation declares that the abominable will go to the lake of fire.

 

[Oldtimer]

That which we often refer to as "The seven deadly sins", God says are an abomination to Him

Revelation declares that the abominable will go to the lake of fire.

Please let's keep this in context. :flower:

We're talking about individuals who proclaim they will continue in their sinful behaviour while professing to be members of the body of Christ.

All of the lost will end up in Dante's inferno.

Do we, as members of the body of Christ, overlook a declaration of continuation of an abomination by someone who states they are a Christian?

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Of course not!

If we fail to warn the wicked, we are not being faithful servants.

 

[Matt22:37-39]

WOW, I'm really surprised at the ignorance of bible knowledge?

The bible says that ALL sin will be forgiven man expect blasphemy of the holy spirit....that would include a Christian who fornicates after they are saved....which today are MANY!....those who lie after they are saved, gossip, etc. SIN is sin in God's eyes and no ones sin is better or worse than anthers. Christi does for all of them.

I find it interesting that all the sins mentioned in only 2 verses (Jesus never talked about the homosexual...he sure talked about fornicating and divorce) is a reference to homosexuality mentioned. Thing is it is GOD'S WORK to change that person and it is OUR job to help them draw close to God so He can change them....just like we would with someone struggling with drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marriage of any kind.

I am shocked that those within the church who live together and those who divorce unblically are never dealt with, but God forbid someone finds out a homosexual is among them then all hatred is poured out...God will judge those who judge others unfairly.

Your sin is no worse according to these verses...see where YOU fit in, do you have an idol?


"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9–10).

 

[Zaac]

....homosexual believer. Simply put, the woman brought to Jesus while caught in the act of adultery was told to "Go and sin no more!"

If anyone comes to Him and receives forgiving grace, I don't believe they can or will want to continue in the sin, they were set free from.

A homosexual Christian is JUST impossible. I am trying to understand your views, brother, but I can't agree with the terminology as it is contrary to what Grace does within the heart and the flesh.

Homosexuality is a form of fornication, as it is a sexual act done outside of marriage - and even if the government intervenes in and allows them to marry, it is still not a Holy marriage - and to continue to commit fornication with a member of the same sex or a member of the opposite sex is a sin, and no one who is born-again will indulge in these practices without the guilt of the Holy Spirit coming down on them is a way that becomes un\bearable.

If a person is going to recommit that same sin, over and over after claiming to come to Jesus, I'd have to say that they were probably not born-again.

As I said above. Jesus told the woman - and that can be said to all of us - to "Go and sin no more!"

There is NO wiggle room here. Sorry, unless I missed the point of your thread, I'd have to say that homosexual Christian and born-again believer don't belong in the same sentence.

It is like trying to have the best from both worlds. In Christ, there is either black or white, no gray areas. You can't be a homosexual and a believer at the same time.

I happen to know several believers that came out of the homosexual world, and they no longer lay any claim to that world. They no longer even tie their name and life to that world. They do speak of being delivered from that sinful lifestyle, but they do not call themselves Christian homosexuals!

I do find these conversations interesting. Christians are liars. Christians are cheaters. Christians murder babies. Christians fornicate. So why can't Christians be nonpracticing, attracted to the same sex homosexuals?

In my counseling of lots of gay people, I can tell ya that there is a lot more to being a homosexual than just sex. It's the same thing with heterosexuals. Attraction is not a Biblical sin. So where would be the impossibility of someone attracted to the same sex but not having sex nt being a Christian?

What about strongholds? we hear a lot about that in the church. Can a Christian be addicted to porn? Can a Christian be an alcoholic?etc,?

 

[Matt22:37-39]

Hmmm, why do I feel that many of you wouldn't have a problem so much if it was a lesbian who was struggling with same sex attractions?....lol...never heard a man yet who thought that was bad. Anyway....


I should add that there is always a time and place for "CHURCH DISCIPLINE" for those living in blatant biblical sin that the bible is very clear about, such as FORNICATION of any kind and even divorcing unbliblically......but even that is always done IN LOVE and always for RESTORATION for ones walk with others and God!..and it isn't the LAY persons job to be judge, jury and executor...this is done through the leadership of the church. If one sins against you then you can bring it to another s attention and so on...Matt 18, oh I could go on.......Anyway, just wanted that to be clear.

 

[Matt22:37-39]

so ti gets seen

WOW, I'm really surprised at the ignorance of bible knowledge?

The bible says that ALL sin will be forgiven man expect blasphemy of the holy spirit....that would include a Christian who fornicates after they are saved....which today are MANY!....those who lie after they are saved, gossip, etc. SIN is sin in God's eyes and no ones sin is better or worse than anthers. Christi does for all of them.

I find it interesting that all the sins mentioned in only 2 verses (Jesus never talked about the homosexual...he sure talked about fornicating and divorce) is a reference to homosexuality mentioned. Thing is it is GOD'S WORK to change that person and it is OUR job to help them draw close to God so He can change them....just like we would with someone struggling with drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marriage of any kind.

I am shocked that those within the church who live together and those who divorce unblically are never dealt with, but God forbid someone finds out a homosexual is among them then all hatred is poured out...God will judge those who judge others unfairly.

Your sin is no worse according to these verses...see where YOU fit in, do you have an idol?


"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9–10).
Edit/Delete Message

 

[Zaac]

There is no such thing as a "Christian homosexual". The two words are enemies to each other.

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul gave a list of many attributes of the unrighteous and followed with "and such were some of you; but ye are washed..."

A homosexual who truly comes to Christ will be like the demoniac whom Jesus found amongst the tombs naked. When Jesus drove the demon out, the man was found fully clothed and in his right mind. He no longer was that man of sin he was previous to his encounter with our Lord.

And such were some of you.

Is there a such thing as a Christian glutton? I don't have any problem with the church making such broadly stroked judgments as long as they make the strokes to equally account for their sins too.:laugh:

 

[Zaac]

Is there such a thing as an immodest Christian?

1 Tim 2:9 ...in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,...

I think it's absoultely DISGUSTING these little booty shorts that all the teenaged girls are allowed to run around in at church these days with their parents apparent approval.

Is it okay that we count these girls as part of the Christian fold?

 

[Zaac]

so ti gets seen

WOW, I'm really surprised at the ignorance of bible knowledge?

The bible says that ALL sin will be forgiven man expect blasphemy of the holy spirit....that would include a Christian who fornicates after they are saved....which today are MANY!....those who lie after they are saved, gossip, etc. SIN is sin in God's eyes and no ones sin is better or worse than anthers. Christi does for all of them.

I find it interesting that all the sins mentioned in only 2 verses (Jesus never talked about the homosexual...he sure talked about fornicating and divorce) is a reference to homosexuality mentioned. Thing is it is GOD'S WORK to change that person and it is OUR job to help them draw close to God so He can change them....just like we would with someone struggling with drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marriage of any kind.

I am shocked that those within the church who live together and those who divorce unblically are never dealt with, but God forbid someone finds out a homosexual is among them then all hatred is poured out...God will judge those who judge others unfairly.

Your sin is no worse according to these verses...see where YOU fit in, do you have an idol?


"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9–10).
Edit/Delete Message

But it's been this way for too long and this is why the Church has failed MISERABLY in ministering to the homosexual or the drug addicted or anyone who commits one of the "bad" sins on our sin list.

Our constant unrighteous judgment is okay.
Our overeating and gossip are okay.
The ladies reading the smut in the romance novels is okay.
Letting our daughters run around looking like little hookers is okay.

Because none of those things are on our "bad" you can't be a Christian if you do this repeatedly list.

 

[Oldtimer]

WOW, I'm really surprised at the ignorance of bible knowledge?

The bible says that ALL sin will be forgiven man expect blasphemy of the holy spirit....that would include a Christian who fornicates after they are saved....which today are MANY!....those who lie after they are saved, gossip, etc. SIN is sin in God's eyes and no ones sin is better or worse than anthers. Christi does for all of them.

Matthew 12:30-32 - (KJV)
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
31 Wherefore 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.
32 And 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.

The word "blasphemy" came via Middle English blasfemen and Old French blasfemer and Late Latin blasphemare from Greek βλασφημέω, from βλάπτω = "I injure" and φήμη = "reputation". From blasphemare also came Old French blasmer, from which English "blame" came. Blasphemy: 'from Gk. blasphemia "a speaking ill, impious speech, slander," from blasphemein "to speak evil of."'[8] "In the sense of speaking evil of God this word is found in Ps. 74:18; Isa. 52:5; Rom. 2:24; Rev. 13:1, 6; 16:9, 11, 21. It denotes also any kind of calumny, or evil-speaking, or abuse (1 Kings 21:10 LXX; Acts 13:45; 18:6, etc.)."[9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy

1 a: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God
Synonyms - defilement, desecration, impiety, irreverence, profanation, sacrilege
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blasphemy

KJV Dictionary Definition: blasphemy

BLAS'PHEMY, n. An indignity offered to God by words or writing; reproachful, contemptuous or irreverent words uttered impiously against Jehovah.
Blasphemy is an injury offered to God, by denying that which is due and belonging to him, or attributing to him that which is not agreeable to his nature.

In the middle ages, blasphemy was used to denote simply the blaming or condemning of a person or thing. Among the Greeks, to blaspheme was to use words of ill omen, which they were careful to avoid.

1. That which derogates from the prerogatives of God. Mark 2.

http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/blasphemy.html

Commentary:

Let me review this section briefly. In verse 22, Jesus healed a blind and dumb man. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of "Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons" (v. 24). Jesus responds by saying that a kingdom divided will fall (vv. 25-28) and how the devil must first be bound before you can plunder his house (v. 29). In verses 31-32, He states that blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come.

By simply looking at the context it becomes apparent that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is saying that Jesus did His miracles by the power of the devil. This is unforgivable. But why? We can find a clue by looking at the point when Jesus began His ministry. http://carm.org/what-blasphemy-holy-spirit-can-christian-commit-it

Another critical piece of information needed to clarify Jesus’ statement is the definition of blasphemy. Wayne Jackson wrote: “Blasphemy is an anglicized form of the Greek term blasphemia, which scholars believe probably derives from two roots, blapto, to injure, and pheme, to speak. The word would thus suggest injurious speech” (2000). ......

Furthermore, Jesus defined the term when, after referring to blasphemy, He used the phrase “speaks a word against” in Matthew 12:32.
.......
We begin to see, then, that we cannot arbitrarily decide which sins we think are heinous, and then simply attribute to them the property of being unpardonable, especially considering the fact that even those who were guilty of crucifying the Son of God had the opportunity to be forgiven (Acts 2:36-38). Therefore, since the unpardonable sin falls into a category of its own, and cannot be murder, adultery, general blasphemy, etc., some scholars have set forth the idea that the unpardonable sin is not a single sin at all, but is instead the stubborn condition of a person who persists in unbelief. ......
http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1218

 

[Oldtimer]

Is there a such thing as a Christian glutton? I don't have any problem with the church making such broadly stroked judgments as long as they make the strokes to equally account for their sins too.:laugh:

How does that answer the question in the OP?

How should christians treat the saved homosexual?

When that person has stated they will not repent?

 

[Zaac]

How does that answer the question in the OP?

It was a response to what someone else said and not the OP?

How should christians treat the saved homosexual?

When that person has stated they will not repent?

The Bible has a process that we are to go through that ultimately ends with the Church breaking fellowship with them if they are unrepentant.

Matthew 18:15-19

 

[Oldtimer]

Duplicate reply. Response noted.

 

[Iconoclast]

Heterosexual people who commit sexual sin do not "get away" with sin. No sinner gets away with any sin.

]But the homosexual Christian, just like the sexually-sin plagued heterosexual Christian will live in MISERY over their sin - if they are genuinely saved. The conviction should lead to repentance and forsaking the sin.

No one - homosexual or heterosexual - can live in the deep and filthy pit of their sexual sin and live with contentment/peace there and boast that God is perfectly fine with it.

Those people - homosexual and heterosexual alike - are more than likely not saved to begin with.

Good Post Scarlett O.....:thumbsup::wavey::thumbsup: