do u think thats someone who is gay can be a bilever in God?

[RnB4life1617]

So, just wanted to know

[fireproof]

Thats a tough question. God loves the sinner, not the sin. And i do believe gay people can love jesus, however the sin will still always get in the way. A christian does their utmost best to live by and for God and his word, and his word does speak against the act of homosexuality, but it also speaks against sexual sin in hetrosexuality as well. Everyone sins, its what we do after that matters.

[Labby]

My (very quick) .02:

If a homosexual person comes to Jesus, and does their utmost to leave behind that lifestyle, then they are a Christian. It's just like a heterosexual person leaving behind a life of promiscuity or pornography addiction.

However, if the homosexual continues to embrace the lifestyle and refuses to stop engaging in homosexual relations, then no, they're not a Christian. They may claim to be, but they are living in open rebellion to God's Word. It's the same as if a heterosexual were to refuse to stop sleeping around, or even having a monogamous sexual relationship outside of marriage.

The basic thing to remember is this: sin is sin. We are to despise sin, no matter what sin it is. Rape, murder, sex outside of marriage (no matter who the other person is), theft, "little white lies"; heck, swiping five bucks from someone: it's all the same in the eyes of God.

The point is, we need to leave behind all sin. Homosexuality isn't special; it just gets more press.

[themadclipper]

Pretty much, what Labby said.

My two cents: homosexuality is a sin.

Before anyone gets all upset about that: lying is a sin, stealing is a sin, cheating is a sin, putting other things before God is a sin. There a re a lot of things that are sin, but the bottom line for me is this: sin is anything that keeps me away from God. Sin cannot be explained or justified- you cannot explain to a cop why you were doing 100 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. Sin is the same way- you cannot explain to God why you're a guy and like guys in a sexual way- we are not built that way, and our God does not make mistakes.

[drey]

I believe that whether you look 'homosexual' or any kind on the outside, it doesn't matter. God looks through the heart.

I have a friend who admitted he is gay. And he's been supporting the youth ministry. Though he may look gay on the outside, definitely on the inside is different.

[themadclipper]

... kinda quiet in here lately.

The bottom line is sin is sin.

[Warren]

A few years ago my dad was telling an acquaintance about His struggles with the fact that he had quit smoking about 10 years before and still battled the smoking thoughts often. There where times that really all he wanted to do was smoke. This acquaintance had the audacity to tell Him ‘’Well buck, that’s because you really never stopped smoking in your heart’’ Now my Dad had not picked up a cigarette since he had stopped because as he said ‘’the only way I was able to stop smoking was to depend on Christ for the strength to stop’’ but the desire was still there often. In the 29 years since he stopped, that desire has greatly diminished but on occasion especially given the right circumstances, it still visits him but he abstains because he wants to Honor Christ whom lives in Him. There are Christian Men that I know that where once alcoholics and even though now they don’t drink, there is still the urge. There is a Christian Man I know that will not go to any social event where he knows alcohol will be served because he knows all to well what it does to him inside. These are strong Christian Men in my life whom have mentored me greatly in the walk I have with Christ. There isn’t really a special struggle that above all others keeps one from being a Christian or going to heaven. If we are honest in the deepest way, we all have as they used to say in the old days, have a besetting sin. There is that one thing or a handful of things in my case that challenges us and always looks for that secret path to out hearts. In the messianic testament, the theme repeats itself over and over again about seeking Christ, seek me, seek me, and seek me over and over again. The picture here is that we seek Him, set our affections to him no matter what we fill in our hearts. Darkness cannot comprehend light but light can comprehend darkness or let me put it in another way, a good man can comprehend the presence of darkness and knows all to well that there are shadows that haunt him but a really bad man cannot comprehend the presence of light because he thinks he is light or better said, right. That is the difference between the repentant and unrepentant heart. My question is why is that in Christendom; there is often a different set of rules for a man or woman, boy or girl that struggles with gender confusion?

[fireproof]

On a corporate image of the church level warren i know what you mean, but on an individual personally level its the same. if the christian treats it just the same as any other sin, ie that we love each other support and encourage then not comdem then all will be fine. Ultimately though said person has to want to try and live for God and actively try to prevent themselves from slipping up. Everyone stumblems but its our attitude that matters!

[themadclipper]

I think this discussion may be part of a larger discussion of what, exactly, does the modern church believe, how do we express it, and most importantly, WHY do we believe it? Homosexuality is fairly easy, from a biblical perspective: it IS a sin. If anyone reads the Bible and does not get that, then I think they have deeper problems than just homosexuality.

I've been a part of some ongoing discussions about music, though, which the Bible does not so clearly address. In fact, these questions (for us, here) originated a few years back on the old boards in the "Other Bands and Music" section. A fan of very hard rock asked where he could find some Christian bands that made music like that. I believe Labby suggested the "X" series, but the asker said this stuff was not heavy enough. I think we walk a fine line with music, as God's people have music pretty well covered. Really- we do everything from Big Bad to Hip Hop in the name of Jesus. But the church seems to be divided more over music than abortion, homosexuality, or any of a number of things which are clearly sins or crimes in the Bible.

So, who, today, defines what is the proper way to worship our God? I have a book that even tries to define the tempo of the music as being Godly or satanic. Sheesh!

[drake71449]

if we read revelations...i believe we can find the answer to this question...its kinda like posted above about being a christian but then still embracing a sinful lifestyle....it says in revelations that one of the churches...i think smyrna was embracing the religions of the Nicolatians...they would use christian freedoms to exploit things and teach falsely that its okay to be sexually immoral because God would forgive us...so we know we shouldnt do that cuz paul wrote in Romans that ....should we continue in sin that Grace may abound...God forbid...so if that person is Gay and practicing sinful behavior then that person is not living for God...all can be believers in God but do they have a personal relationship with Christ and have turned from sin....0

[Toddrick33]

However, if the homosexual continues to embrace the lifestyle and refuses to stop engaging in homosexual relations, then no, they're not a Christian. They may claim to be, but they are living in open rebellion to God's Word. It's the same as if a heterosexual were to refuse to stop sleeping around, or even having a monogamous sexual relationship outside of marriage.



Before anyone gets all upset about that: lying is a sin, stealing is a sin, cheating is a sin, putting other things before God is a sin. There a re a lot of things that are sin, but the bottom line for me is this: sin is anything that keeps me away from God. Sin cannot be explained or justified- you cannot explain to a cop why you were doing 100 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. Sin is the same way- you cannot explain to God why you're a guy and like guys in a sexual way- we are not built that way, and our God does not make mistakes.

Thanks guys for doing the work for me! I bet you never thought the three of us would agree? ;)

But just to add - I know that people get up and arms about homosexuality and say that it's not greater than any sin. While this is true (in God's eyes, stealing a Tootsie Roll equals murder), the problem with homosexuality is the in-your-face, "I'm gonna live this way whether you like it or not!" I truly believe that someone can be enticed into having gay thoughts, and if you say, "I have a problem finding guys sexually attractive, and I need help out of sexual sin" (which would be the same for porn, heterosexual sex, etc.), that is a totally different story!

So don't let Satan tell you there is no choice, don't fall for his lies of sin.

[Warren]

I agree with you Toddrick, apart from the spiritual equality of sins there are types of sins and evil philosophies that have a much greater impact on society. In the current political climate of the west and particularly the United States, one wonders that in time if the radical homosexual movement and agenda will become a dominant if not enforced orientation. It almost seems that there is a move to give Homosexuality more credibility than Heterosexuality and this is dangerous because no society can withstand the onslaught of gender confusion. This point of view aside, the radical homosexual lifestyle as opposed to someone whom struggles with Homosexual thoughts and orientation are two different things. I do believe that someone whom struggles with gender confusion but has not sold himself or herself out to this lifestyle and remains celibate can be truly called a Christian. Just the same is someone whom has had a history of alcohol or drug abuse but now lives for Christ, becoming a Christian doesn’t necessarily mean that they are free from any struggle in those area’s. Will I as a man named Warren seek in my heart and mind purity in Christ no matter what my struggles are for Christ sake? I personally know individuals whom once lived the homosexual lifestyle but have since left it. They still struggle with gender confusion but have put their identity in Christ rather than with their gender confusion and remain celibate for the sake of Christ. They perhaps more than anyone know the satanic lies that are in the core of society and how damaging this lifestyle can be….

[themadclipper]

Can you be a sinner and still be a Christian? Yes- that is our natural state. The deeper question is this, I think: is homosexuality something God put into us?

Since God is holy, loving and just, the answer must be "No." God does not make mistakes, and God does not change. I heard a rather interesting explanation of "sin" the other day: sin is a legitimate need met illegitimately. Sex, between a man married to a woman, is a good thing, because that is how God designed it. Sex, in any form outside of marriage (prostitutes, infidelity, homosexuality, children or bestiality), is bad. Bad=SIN

[drey]

do u think thats someone who is gay can be a bilever in God?
Yes, homosexuals, bisexuals, lesbians can believe in God, but it differs from living for God.

just my P.02 cents

[drake71449]

interesting drey...we do have to LIVE for Christ...

:p