Can a habitually Sexually Immoral Christian who is saved go to heaven??

[Sunshine Locket]

Maybe I'm wrong, but this next passage doesn't appear (to me at least) to harmonize with that:

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God." {1 John 3:10 NIV}

Agreed. That passage actually levies judgment on salvation. Those who have it and those who don't.

Its as if there are worldly teachings now that inspire people to think that the OSAS doctrine permits people to act as they did prior to finding Christ but with no repercussions to follow.

It is the blasphemy that leads countless souls away from the truth. Because those who are willing to follow can't stand to be new creatures when their old sinful ways provide a comfortable place in damnation.

 

[Honest Al]

Judging the salvation of others is not something we are called to do.

I was hesitant to use this next passage, but then decided I should go ahead and share it:

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You'll recognize them by their fruit." {Matthew 7:15, 16 HCSB}

As I was thinking about this passage and trying to decide if it shed any light on your statement it seemed like it actually shed quite a bit of light on it: Jesus says there will be people coming to us that are "false" prophets. I think it then goes without saying that these people are coming to us claiming to be true prophets (or true messengers of God). I would think it would also go without saying that if they're coming to us claiming to be God prophets they would have to be saying that they're saved. But Jesus tells us that "by their fruit" we will "recognize them" as "ravaging wolves." It's impossible for me to believe that Jesus would refer to His saved children as ravaging wolves.
So, whoever these "false prophets" are (and I pray that I'll be able to tell which ones are the true ones and which ones are the false ones), no matter how much they may claim to be God servants, and therefore His children, I'll be forced, by Christ's own words, to "judge" otherwise.

 

[MoreCoffee]

On reflection the topic's title is laced through with ideas that are self-contradicting.

"Can a habitually Sexually Immoral Christian who is saved go to heaven??"

If one is 'saved' then they are in heaven with the Lord awaiting the last day and the resurrection of their body. They are among the blessed, a saint. Can such a person be sexually immoral after entering heaven? It seems to me self-evident that they cannot.

If one is not 'saved' but rather is a professing Christian here on earth struggling with sins like most Christians do then can such a person be habitually sexually immoral, perhaps. Many young Christians and no doubt many who are not so young struggle with self-pleasuring and that is often considered an immoral sexual act yet the struggle suggests a desire to be set free from whatever it is that is causing the self-pleasuring. And similar difficulties may lead some to engage in sex acts with others that are immoral. Such sins can be forgiven when the sinner genuinely repents of their sins.

But what of cases where a professing Christian engages in immoral sexual activities without repentance? Can such a person go to heaven? That's a far more difficult question isn't it? On the one hand saying "no" seems like the only 'correct' answer but how many Christians do not sin many times in the same matter without ever repenting of their sins?

Anyway, the question is problematic isn't it. I say let God be judge and let God be just even though every human being is found to be a liar.

 

[Honest Al]

Its as if there are worldly teachings now that inspire people to think that the OSAS doctrine permits people to act as they did prior to finding Christ but with no repercussions to follow.

It is the blasphemy that leads countless souls away from the truth.

As horrilby sad as it is, you're all too correct.

 

[from scratch]

Oh, yes. The original question, the thread title, for instance: "Can a habitually Sexually Immoral Christian who is saved go to heaven??"

* A Christian is a follower of Christ and as such is saved. The phrase '...Christian who is saved...' is a redundancy.

* One who is saved is guaranteed a place in Heaven. (Heaven is a proper noun and should be capitalized in English.) Being 'saved' is not merely a chance for admission if other considerations are met. Being saved is another term for being adopted by God; for being a joint heir with Christ. One who is saved is one of those that cannot be plucked from Jesus' hand.

* '... habitually ... immoral ...' What does this mean? One who commits immorality more than once? More than twice? More than twice a year? Twice a week? Twice a day? Possibly the old standby, one who commits sin [fill in the blank] more than I do? (I mean, everyone is tempted and slips once in a while; but That Person; well, really!)

I already brought up the point - which seems to have been ignored by the judgmentally self-righteous - there are other sins that rate with sexual immorality. Gossip and swindling are two such.

The real reason to pick out a particular sin is to justify one's own self-righteousness. "I am sexually pure!" is a standard cover for "I am greedy and will cheat in business at any chance."

That is a really good observation and idea. However, it is something for a person convicted of 'habitual sin' to consider, even seek aid from others in combating.Correctamundo!

IF one finds one's self in the sad position of being in a sexually immoral relationship; one needs to bring the matter to God immediately. One must also deal with the sexual partner in a decent and honest manner. The situation must be resolved, but not in a cavalier manner regarding the other. One must confess one's guilt to God. Perhaps to others as well. This is the responsibility of the sinner and no other.

IF one sees, finds, or suspects another of being in a sinful practice (of any sort) one must pray for that sinner and keep the matter private. Such a discovery may be divulged to others only in the most extreme circumstances; imminent physical (or emotional, sometimes) harm to a relatively innocent party. Such a discovery may only be divulged to those in authority who can deal with the problem.

Such a discovery may not be used in good conscious by a Christian merely for one's own enjoyment, revenge or self-righteous gratification.

I think the OP believes being saved and being a Christian are 2 entirely different things. Many do.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Maybe I'm wrong, but this next passage doesn't appear (to me at least) to harmonize with that:

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God." {1 John 3:10 NIV}

In context, I would say this chapter (if you read the whole thing) is about judging our OWN salvation.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I was hesitant to use this next passage, but then decided I should go ahead and share it:

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You'll recognize them by their fruit." {Matthew 7:15, 16 HCSB}

As I was thinking about this passage and trying to decide if it shed any light on your statement it seemed like it actually shed quite a bit of light on it: Jesus says there will be people coming to us that are "false" prophets. I think it then goes without saying that these people are coming to us claiming to be true prophets (or true messengers of God). I would think it would also go without saying that if they're coming to us claiming to be God prophets they would have to be saying that they're saved. But Jesus tells us that "by their fruit" we will "recognize them" as "ravaging wolves." It's impossible for me to believe that Jesus would refer to His saved children as ravaging wolves.
So, whoever these "false prophets" are (and I pray that I'll be able to tell which ones are the true ones and which ones are the false ones), no matter how much they may claim to be God servants, and therefore His children, I'll be forced, by Christ's own words, to "judge" otherwise.

You have a good point, but I still don't think this passage is asking us to judge the eventual salvation or damnation of these "prophets". We DO need to discern who we can trust as teachers, leaders, etc, and I think the fruit is very telling.

But as to their eternal state? I think we still ought to leave that to God. The Apostle Paul certainly showed rotten fruit as a ravening wolf before his conversion ...

 

[Honest Al]

You have a good point, but I still don't think this passage is asking us to judge the eventual salvation or damnation of these "prophets".

I certainly agree completely with that part.
As for the 1 John passage, I'm going to give that some thought and study.

P.S.--This verse just came to mind. Do you think it has any bearing on this question:

"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." {1 John 2:3, 4 NASB}

God Bless

P.S--I'm convinced that if John were alive today and preached those words for the first time, there would be a whole lot of [professed] Christians that would want to ship him back to the Isle of Patmos.

 

[Honest Al]

Judging the salvation of others is not something we are called to do.

Hi again,
Maybe I'm not quite 100% right, but I've been thinking a bit more about that, and the more I think about it, the more I think I disagree. Here's why:

The major theme of this thread has been "habitually sexually immoral [professed] Christians." (I don't believe there's any such thing as a habitually sexually immoral Christian.) I'm 100% convinced that the Bible is crystal clear, in numerous places, that sexually immoral people are not going to heaven (and therefore are not saved). For me not to judge their salvation, or lack of salvation, would be a total denial of what God has clearly told me in His word. To me, it would be a denial of my faith, and even a denial of God Himself. Plus--If those people are truly lost, and according to the Bible they most certainly are, then doesn't God want them to be made aware of it so that they can turn to God and find salvation before it's forever too late. I believe this is one of the great central messages of the Bible:

"Again and again, the LORD has sent you his prophets, but you have not listened or even tried to hear. Each time the message was this: 'Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things your are doing.'" {Jeremiah 25:4, 5 NLT}

"In those days John the Baptist (who was to "tell his people how to find salvation," and " make people ready for the coming of the Lord") began preaching in the Judean wilderness. His message was, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near." {Matthew 3:1, 2}

"I have had one message for Jews and Gentiles alike--the necessity of turning from sin and turning to God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus." {Acts 20:21 NLT}

Certainly, there are many wrong ways of going about trying to do this, but there's also a right, and God inspired, way of going about doing this. (I pray I'll walk closer to God so that He can teach me the right way.)

I also know, because it's shown to us all throughout the Bible, that even if we do it the right way many, many [professed] Christians will hate us for it.

"You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? But your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute!... The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation... They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him." {Acts 7:51-60 NLT}


P.S.--Saying they were "heathen at heart" is certainly telling them they weren't saved (at that point in their lives). And obviously, they didn't like hearing that.

Take care, and God Bless

 

[SaphireOwl]

I would disagree that we are not called to judge others salvation.

When someone who professes themselves to be saved in the name of Jesus Christ and yet they behave wrongly and sin repeatedly and argue that sin and condemned behavior is to be tolerated and is approved by God, they're lying to themselves. They're wrong.

And being left alone in their error, as they minister their wrong beliefs to others and live the example of unredeemed behavior, they're at risk of leading others by their example straight to damnation.

Would we let someone walk into a wall of fire without trying to save them by warning them of that flame ahead?

 

[Sunshine Locket]

No Christian would let someone walk into a wall of fire.
Permissive doctrines are starting to permeate the faith of Christ. If Jesus didn't teach it we are wrong to believe it. Dead wrong.

 

[PopesFollower]

Can a habitually Sexually Immoral Christian who is saved go to heaven??

That sentence doesn't even make sense.
Am I the only one who sees the incongruity there?

 

[SaphireOwl]

That sentence doesn't even make sense.
Am I the only one who sees the incongruity there?

A few of us have noticed that. Some have even made mention of it.

I think we're just trying to muddle through to answer the heart of the question had it been phrased correctly. "No!"

 

[PopesFollower]

That sentence doesn't even make sense.
Am I the only one who sees the incongruity there?

A few of us have noticed that. Some have even made mention of it.

I think we're just trying to muddle through to answer the heart of the question had it been phrased correctly. "No!"

Well, I would say its a bit more complicated that that.

First off, salvation is a process not a not time event, so in that regard nobody is just flat out "saved" until they are actually in heaven.

Second, some people struggle with certain sins, and it is not uncommon for someone to stumble repeatedly. Only God knows someone's heart, and he will decide if such a person's heart was in the right place when they stand before Him to be judged.

Lord knows I have had great difficulties with a few things in my life, but I know my heart and I think God does too.

 

[tacdon]

What if they are habitually sexually immoral, but they feel bad about it and repent, they try to stop doing it, but can't?

 

[OGM]

What if they are habitually sexually immoral, but they feel bad about it and repent, they try to stop doing it, but can't?

Of course they CAN stop if they want to. You mean they DECIDE not to stop.

 

[topcare]

What if they are habitually sexually immoral, but they feel bad about it and repent, they try to stop doing it, but can't?

Then they must rely on Christ. It's not easy getting over a habit, I know personally though I slip up I know Christ will forgive when repentance is sought with sincerity

 

[OGM]

People get off of habits all of the time. Many times without a religious element. Scores of people have broken heroin addiction on their own without; doctors, psychologists, counselors and/or therapists. Not always recommended...but very possible.

 

[SFTS]

I believe a "Christian who is saved" is going to heaven irrelevent of what issues they may have. Nobody gets to heaven by overcoming their issues and being good enough. We all get to heaven ONLY through forgiveness through Grace. Period.
When that is settled in your heart, then you feel much more freer to work on your issues.

 

[SAAN]

That sentence doesn't even make sense.
Am I the only one who sees the incongruity there?

It makes perfect sense, because many born again believers who claim to be saved and love da lord, also have no problem having sex outside of marriage, hooked to porn, thinks homosexuality is okay and thinks because they are saved their behavior wont be held against them because they believe.

If you repent of these sins and turn from them, sure they will go to heaven, but if the bible says no sexually immoral person will go to heaven and you have Christians who have more sex outside of marriage than unbelievers, will they go to heaven if they die unrepentant in their sins?