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Can Homosexuals Be Christians?

November 23rd, 2007 by David Wallace posted in Sin

This is a loaded question. The same could be asked of drug addicts, thieves, liars, murderers, even child molesters. So can someone who is homosexual be a Christina as well? I would say, “Yes,” however, allow me to clarify that answer. A person who is a homosexual can become a Christian, however once a Christian, the person can no longer stay a homosexual.

Of course this question comes down to the debate of whether homosexuality is a choice or are gay people just born that way. Clearly the evidence weighs in favor of it being a choice. To say someone was born “gay” is really to say that God made a mistake. “Ooops, that one was supposed to have a female body. Messed up there! Guess they will just have to be homosexual.” Do you really see God saying something like this? Of course not because God does not make mistakes. He is perfect in every way.

Therefore homosexuality is a choice. Now that choice may have had several elements that influenced it - sexual abuse as a child or the lack of father or mother role model are a couple of examples. In fact most gay people I have even met had one or both of these scenarios occur in their childhood. Be that as it may, I know many more people who have experiences the same scenarios and did not turn out gay. So, clearly it is a choice.

This leads to the next question, “Is it sin?” While there are many scriptures in the Bible that confirm that it is, Romans Chapter One is one of the best examples.

(Rom 1:17-32 NASB) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” {18} For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, {19} because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. {20} For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. {21} For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. {24} Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. {25} For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. {26} For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, {27} and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. {28} And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, {29} being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, {30} slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, {31} without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; {32} and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

What can we pull from this portion of scripture:

  1. The evidence of God’s existence is not only contained in nature itself but within our own being. {vs. 19-20}
  2. Despite that evidence, mankind does not give glory to Gog nor honor Him as God but rather partakes in idolatry (worship of things, others or one’s self). {vs. 21-23}
  3. Therefore God gives mankind them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator {vs. 24-25}
  4. One of the things God gives mankind over to is homosexuality. {vs 26-27}

How anyone can read this portion of scripture and claim that homosexuality is alright with God is beyond me. It is a sin and just like any other sin, needs to be repented of if one is to follow Christ.

I personally know three people that were homosexuals but then found Christ, repented of homosexuality as well as other sins and today lead normal heterosexual lives. So homosexuals can become Christians as no sin is too great that God can not forgive. However the fact remains that homosexuals can not stay that way. They must repent and even though they may struggle against it the rest of their lives, the fact that they struggle rather than to give in is the act of repenting itself.

To simply claim yourself a Christian and yet embrace the sin of homosexuality (or any other sin for that matter) is to deny the power of Christ to deliver you from that sin. You can go to church and claim to be Christian all you want but in all reality, you are just spinning your wheels. It is not until we die to ourselves and allow Christ to live through us that we will advance in our relationship and progress with God.

I would like to say one final thing about homosexuality. The church has long garnished a phobia or even a hatred towards gays. We really need to lighten up. Not that I am saying we endorse the sin but recognize the fact that homosexuality is like any other sin. We accept and embrace drug addicts, liars, adulterers, thieves, murderers, and the list goes on. The Church needs to accept and embrace homosexuals as well and show them by love, example and the power of Christ that they do not have to remain that way but can be free to live a Christ-like life.

  1. 8 Responses to “Can Homosexuals Be Christians?”

  2. By Wayne Powell on Nov 30, 2007

    You say: “…however once a Christian, the person can no longer stay a homosexual.”

    However, a more precise way of stating what I think you mean is: “…however once a Christian, the person can no longer live a homosexual lifestyle.

    People that believe themselves to be “homosexual” do not stop believing that about themselves after accepting Jesus as savior. But, upon conversion, they should put aside their sinful ways and live a life pleasing to God. This is repentance. They may continue to think of themselves as having a homosexual tendency long after conversion. I believe as time allows the Holy Spirit to work in their heart and mind, they may eventually stop thinking themselves as a homosexual. What the holy spirit works in the heart is a separate mater called sanctification. This is separate from conversion or salvation.

    Similar comparisons are alcoholics, drug addicts, pornaholics, adulters. Upon Conversion, these also should stop their sinful lifestyle. Will an alcoholic be an alcoholic after accepting Christ as savior? Yes, they will. They will still have the urge to drink for a long time to come. It may never disappear completely. But that does not mean they are not a Christian. The homosexual is in the same boat. Just because a converted homosexual has an inappropriate urge toward someone of the same sex does not mean they are not a Christian. If our sinful urges are what define our faith, who could claim to be a Christian? Don’t we all have a weak spot somewhere?

    I, as a heterosexual male, have inappropriate thoughts about women from time to time. I recognize these thoughts for what they are; sin. I do not act upon them or pursue them in any way. And I try as best as I can to push them out of my thoughts. Rather I want to be like Christ. I want to be pleaseing in God’s site. I am a christian.

  3. By Jenna on Feb 11, 2008

    In response to the comment above, I think what the author meant by “…however once a Christian, the person can no longer stay a homosexual” is that once a Christian, you can no longer accept homosexuality as a lifestyle that you were “born into” and that you have no control over. It is something, like you said, to struggle with.

    On another note, to say that one is “homosexual” and Christian is to say that God created people like that and as evidenced by the Bible, that is clearly not so. To call yourself “homosexual” after coming to light of God’s truth, is both degrading to Him and His perfect creation.

  4. By Bishop7 on Mar 11, 2008

    I want to thank you for this article, and Amen to the truth of the word of God. I know that God can forgive anyone, because he forgave me one day. Although I’ve never been in homosexuality, but I still sinned in my younger days by living with a woman that I should have not been with. Mmmm! Sin is sin no matter how we spell it.

    I sat under a pastor of a church that was a homosexual, although he at the time was married, but later she divorced him, and I listened to a lot of messages from him as well as teachings, but when it came down to it, he was still a homosexual. Did I feel weird being there? Certainly, but I also met my wife at that church, in which we are still happily married still, with 4 children. I believe as my late mother told me, God loves the sinner, BUT HE hates the sin. Homosexuals can be delivered from their wicked lifestyle, but they must want to be delivered and set free. God never made people to live like that, and HE will never create a person like that either. Romans Ch. 1, like it was mentioned, speaks it very plain how God will deal justly with one that desire to disobey HIS law. BUT, as we know we are living in the last and evil days, and God is tired of people living any old way, so I choose to believe that God is simply turning His head and looking the other way, and allowing the devil to have a ball. BUT God is going to have the last say in what’s happening here on earth, and He’s going to judge every man according to his own measure. Can you live a wonderful Christian life and be free of sin? YOU CERTAINLY CAN. Can God Sanctify your Hearts and Minds, and Keep you in Perfect Peace with your mind stayed on Him? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! It all boils down to living a VICTORIOUS LIFE for CHRIST, and resisting the devil every time you think about sin, etc. The scripture declares these words found in James Ch. 4:7-8vss;

    “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
    Be blessed in the Lord Jesus, and live for HIM, cause HE is soon to return one day.

  5. By Peter on Mar 23, 2008

    I am 23 year old that gave my life to Jesus a year and two months ago (born again),He has delivered me completely from the homosexual life style and lust that comes with it,Satan kept on reminding me of my past but I stood on God’s promises like in Mt 7:11, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

    And I learned how much God loves us He truly does renew your mind by the power of the Holy Spirit if you allow Him. If you think about this, the current world population in March 2008 standed on 6.70 billion and the amount of blood that Jesus spilled for us was 6 liters (the average amount of blood in a Male Human). Think of how powerful His blood is because He died for every one and His blood sanctifies us. Heb 10:10, “By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

    If you are seeking the truth, ask God to reveal it to you by the power of His Spirit. I have the peace that surpasses understanding. I used to be fearful and held captive spiritually. I pray that that you will see the sin the way God sees it according to Rom 1 17-32. I`m not judging, I just want to make clear that God can deliver you and then use you for His eternal kingdom.

  6. By Chelsey on Apr 1, 2008

    You talk about how evidence ways in favor of homosexuality being a choice, and how its like saying God made a mistake. Well, if this is true then what do we call the children who are born mentally disabled, or with birth defects. Are they accidents? It just seems that if your statement about homosexuality is true then every child not born completly healthy chooses to be born that way. So, I must disagree with your reasoning.

  7. By David Wallace on Apr 1, 2008

    @Chelsey That is really a ridiculous argument. Is a mental disorder or a birth defect a behavior? No it is not. Can people who are born mentally ill (retarded) or with a birth defect such as not having sight, hearing or maybe missing a limb change that fact about themselves? No they cannot.

    Therefore you are comparing apples to oranges as homosexuality is a behavior choice - not a birth defect.

  8. By PhatChance on Jul 20, 2008

    Actually David, that is a very relevant argument from Chelsey. Homosexual men do exhibit physical differences from heterosexual men, slightly different facial structure and higher pitched voices are the common two. So it is very possible to suggest that homosexuality is an inherent trait, and that the rubbish that religions spread about it being a choice and that you can somehow ‘cleanse’ yourself of it is total bunk. Now while comparing homosexuality to mental retardation is a little bit unfair, I see, and accept the point that Chelsey is making.

  9. By David Wallace on Jul 20, 2008

    @PhatChance - Actually I have met plenty of homosexual men that DID NOT have the high pitched voice or demonstrate feminine characteristics. I have also known and still know many heterosexual man that you would think by their voices and feminine characteristics are gay bu they are not.

    Same is true of women - visa versa that is.

    Besides this, I know three four homosexuals, three men and one woman who turned their lives over to Christ and today are living heterosexual lives.

    Finally, I would like to add that if it was natural to be homosexual and if it was okay with God, don’t you think He would have given two men and two women who wanted to have a sexual relationship the ability to reproduce?

    I mean, that would be pretty cruel of God to discriminate against homosexuals because they cannot “make a baby” wouldn’t it? Why limit it to a man and woman, unless it is UNNATURAL for man to be with man and woman to be with woman.

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