Repent because you are?

[Eskarina]

I must say that I am very proud of the level of maturity in the discussion of this topic. It's a major issue and it's hard to deal with. I'm currently having some issues with a general attraction the the female body, but I categorize that with lust for males too. It doesn't matter who you lust after, it's still a sin. It can be over come though!

I have a friend who, to look at, screams homosexual. He spent several years of his life in a sinful homosexual lifestlye (note the sinful because it wasn't just the homosexuality), but then he returned to Christ. It is a daily uphill struggle for him, but he perseveres. He is currently a man devoted to God and heavily involved in church ministry. His testimony is one of the most powerful I know, but because it's close and it's real and it's radical.

 

[fevoldj2]

First of all, nobody is born homosexual. They choose to be.

Second, I believe that homosexuality is a sin, simply because of the Bible's description of a man and a woman. Starting with Genesis, men and women have been placed together in marriage. But all people sin. In this sense, the sin of homosexuality isn't any different than a lying or cheating habit. I've lied and cheated. Does that mean that I'm going to hell?

In final response to your question, yes, a homosexual can only be saved by begging for forgiveness and striving to be cleansed, just like all other sins. But not because they were born that way.

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." ~ Acts 2:38

That is difficult to say that one chooses to be that way. By definition, it is having a sexual orientation to the same sex. That is hard to shake, especially when they have never had a sexual attraction to a female. While I believe that God can change this, it is hard to say that one chooses to be this way. If you ask a gay person if they like the way they are, many will reply, "No." One cannot be sure at this point whether or not one is born with sexual orientation that will develop later in life, or if it is through their environment that their orientation changes. I'd definately advise to pray about it a lot and not rely on an opinion that cannot be proven.

 

[Lead]

It is a generalization to say that the Bible makes it clear. If it were so clear, there would not be such debates between learned Christians. http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/pdf/background.pdf

1 Corithians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

Leviticus 18:22 " 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable

Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Maybe it is just me (not) but those versus seem pretty clear to me. Just because learned Christian leaders are debating whether or not it is still wrong does not mean that it is not clear. It is simply a testimony to how the modern culture has infiltrated the church. Not only that but who did Jesus spend most of his time rebuking? The Pharisees. These church leaders that you are talking about are most likely modern day pharisees who are trying to get around things that the Bible says by justifying certain actions which make the church unpopular with some people.

God's word is more powerful than any of those men will ever be and it has the power to change people for good. Based on your logic I could say argue that murder is not wrong. It is best not to change God's word just to make a few people feal better because they are no longer "closed minded Christians."

So let's just say it. "The act of homosexuality is WRONG."

 

[ottaia]

1 Corithians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

Leviticus 18:22 " 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable

Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Maybe it is just me (not) but those versus seem pretty clear to me. Just because learned Christian leaders are debating whether or not it is still wrong does not mean that it is not clear. It is simply a testimony to how the modern culture has infiltrated the church. Not only that but who did Jesus spend most of his time rebuking? The Pharisees. These church leaders that you are talking about are most likely modern day pharisees who are trying to get around things that the Bible says by justifying certain actions which make the church unpopular with some people.

God's word is more powerful than any of those men will ever be and it has the power to change people for good. Based on your logic I could say argue that murder is not wrong. It is best not to change God's word just to make a few people feal better because they are no longer "closed minded Christians."

So let's just say it. "The act of homosexuality is WRONG."

Any translation that uses the word homosexual is an interpretation. The word was coined in the 1800 and could not have been in use in Biblical times. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual#Etymology_and_usage

 

[rosemoss]

I came to this section of CF because a member of my family says he is homosexual. He is young. I've asked him, how do you know? He says, I just do. Whether he was born that way or learned it from somewhere, the important thing to me anyway is, how do I deal with this? What do I say to him? What can I do to point him in the "right direction"? I am at an utter loss. How do I support him and love him, when I'm repulsed by what he feels?
This may be in the wrong place, I apologize if it is.

 

[artjack]

Maybe not Jesus in person, but The Bible does.

"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

This does not say heaven it says the kingdown of god & it says inherit, that means owenership, you dont have to own someting to be there! remember God is the father. homosexuals are not greedy, they will be happy enough just being there. see you's all there haha

 

[artjack]

a person should also repent is they have bitterness, unforgiveness, have coveted...... Last time I looked in the bible God doesnt classify sin, and any sin seperates us from him

Jesus died for our sins, he gave us comandments to obay, one could argue being single it is easyer to follow jesus as he was single himself, I agree about bitterness & forgivness. I dont think I was born with it, I was abused at an early age by the same sex. latter in life I had to forgive, Its the only way.

 

[artjack]

Leviticus 18:22 " 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable

Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.


So let's just say it. "The act of homosexuality is WRONG."

20; 13 & 18; 22, here may not refer to homosexuals it referes to a threesome or adultry meaning for another man not to be involved with a married couple

 

[Christina25]

Who are they to say who is going to hell. It's not confirmed if people are really born gay, but if that is the case, that's not anyone's fault. I don't think having homosexual feelings is a sin. I think indulging in them is a sin.

I'm not a homosexual, I can't say much else. I think that we should be sympathetic to the situations of homosexuals and do our best to support them in dealing with their extremely-confusing-struggles.

I would tend to agree with you. I struggle with things much worse than homosexuality on a day to day basis. Perhaps my desire is more my cross to bear, but I am in full agreement that God alone is my judge, Jesus is my Redeemer and King, and the fire of the Holy spirit both exists in many ways beyond the reach of my imagination.

Confusing? Absolutely. Worthy of prayers rather thank condemnation by any one person or group. Totally

 

[KTskater]

I would disagree. I have a friend, who has struggled not to be gay, has gone through prayer, delievrance, and still has feelings for those of the same gender.... He would do anything not to feel like that, however he has tried everything

Sometimes God doesn't remove the sexual urges because he has a plan for them. That doesn't make acting on them right, but God can use them for his glory.
It also can be teenage confusion, which takes time, growth and guidance to resolve.

 

[he_is_risen!!]

Okay, I haven't read all of the posts so I'm sorry if I'm behind but here's my two cents.

God unchanging (Malachi 3:6) and constant. On this I place my faith. So when he destroyed Sodam and Gamora because of their sexual perversions, one of which was homosexuality, it showed that it was sin. Sin must be killed and that is what happens to out sin when we are saved. But back then literal death was needed to cleanse sin. Fortunatly we don't need literal sin of ourselves to be free of sin, but sin still requires death. That is why Christ died, to satisfy that death that must be served.

To that end, God sees homosexuality as sin regardless of whether or not it is genetic or not. Sin is part of who we are as humans and still we are called to abstain from sin. It is the same w/ homosexuality. IF it is genetic it doesn't change the fact that it is wrong and that we must abstain from sin. Honestly, I am naturally told to have sex, but that doesn't mean I allow that primal sin to effect me and cause me to sin.

So it is wrong. I know this because I myself fight against homosexual urges. I know it is wrong because of what it has done to me. It has effected me in ways that only sin does. I am open about my opposition to homosexuality. I will not hide that, but opposition doesn't mean that I hate other people that struggle. You must hate the sin, not the sinner that was what Christ did. He told people when they were sinning and he opposed sin. Inspite of the sin he still loved them as a person. My point is that when I oppose homosexuality and say that it's wrong, I'm not hating homosexuals, only saying that what they do is wrong. There's a difference.

 

[Tenebrae]

Sometimes God doesn't remove the sexual urges because he has a plan for them. That doesn't make acting on them right, but God can use them for his glory.
It also can be teenage confusion, which takes time, growth and guidance to resolve.

he he he I'm 28, its gone a little bit past haveing a teenage confusion at least for me

I was about 25, when I realised I had an attaraction to both sexes

 

[11MAN]

I recently was in a discussion with a few of my friends from school.
They claimed that all homosexuals are going to hell. The thought of this
appalled me; it goes against everything I believe in and everything I've learned from the bible. They still insist that it says in the bible homosexuality is a sin, and the only way a gay person can be saved is to beg forgiveness for being born that way. I think that this is ignorant, and I want some other input. Please respond.

Hi I appreciate your open and honest love for mankind, however, being an ex-homosexual myself, I am very aware having a personal revelation of God's dread and anger at my sexual sin, In fearing God I was born again and have overcome homosexuality. This is not to say that Satan does not try to entice my mind or to drag up the past. But I no longer feel overcome with these desires. Many homosexual men and women have been abused during childhood and some often the result of bullying or insecurity. I used to get called derogatory homoseual titles by my brother and sister. Proverbs reveals that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Also in Romans1:18-32 Paul reveals a spiritual insight behind homsexuality. When man makes Idols and images to God they are glorying in the work of their own hands. God abhors Idols.
read also Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel.
This I believe is the reason behind alot of the sexual perversion in the Roman Catholic Church. We live in a society that is bombarded with images and pictures of men and women. Television is the biggest form of Idolatry Satan ever sporned. The image itself is an abomination to God, how much more the filthy context desplayed on it.

 

[Lost_and_astray]

Hey I've been there. But I know I learned the feelings, from where I'm not sure, but I know I had to have learned them because it's simply not natural.
But I've worked with God on these feelings for about the last year and a half, and although I still have to fight sometimes. I have have "unlearned" to look at other girls sexually. I've become extreaming interested in boys as well as I grew closer to God.

One thing that I would like to point out, is that during your teenage years I don't think there is anything such as "low-level" lust. You are typcally most lustful during your teenage years and early 20's. The only time you are not lustful is childhood and you usually calm down a little late 20's or early 30's. So I'm almost certain this is being magnified because of your hormones.

Anyway, I don't think gays are born gay. I think Satan can put a dispostion for it in our lives and then suck us into it (which technacally can be considered being "born" with it) just like he can put a dispostion in us for depression or violence. Sometimes it's not a choice weather or not to feel that way. God doesn't change everyone's sexuality because he may have plans for you as you are. But thay still doesn't make the act of homosexuality (romantic and/or sexual relationships with memebers of the same-sex) a correct way of living. It is a sin, put plain and simply in the Bible.

Thank you for your reply, I think I understand it clearer now

 

[diana_ch]

[font=&quot]... as the Bible has been translated numerous times to the extent that it's near impossible in some aspects to determine what was originally meant....[/font]

So what you can say is what's the point in even believing in anything that the Bible says because it has been translated so many times?!?!?! Have you ever looked into or studied about Bible translations and the strict methods empployed to do so??
The Bible, by far is the only book across all of history that has kept it's message, and has prevailed far beyond any other literary piece ever found. If you haven't actually done any courses in Methods of Bible study and Interpretation I'd strongly urge you to do so before making comments as strong as the one you did...
What you said basically diminishes all authority of the Bible and I honeslty think both you and I are aware that that is not the case...

 

[ceceliasvoice]

Okay, I haven't read all of the posts so I'm sorry if I'm behind but here's my two cents.

God unchanging (Malachi 3:6) and constant. On this I place my faith. So when he destroyed Sodam and Gamora because of their sexual perversions, one of which was homosexuality, it showed that it was sin. Sin must be killed and that is what happens to out sin when we are saved. But back then literal death was needed to cleanse sin. Fortunatly we don't need literal sin of ourselves to be free of sin, but sin still requires death. That is why Christ died, to satisfy that death that must be served.

To that end, God sees homosexuality as sin regardless of whether or not it is genetic or not. Sin is part of who we are as humans and still we are called to abstain from sin. It is the same w/ homosexuality. IF it is genetic it doesn't change the fact that it is wrong and that we must abstain from sin. Honestly, I am naturally told to have sex, but that doesn't mean I allow that primal sin to effect me and cause me to sin.

So it is wrong. I know this because I myself fight against homosexual urges. I know it is wrong because of what it has done to me. It has effected me in ways that only sin does. I am open about my opposition to homosexuality. I will not hide that, but opposition doesn't mean that I hate other people that struggle. You must hate the sin, not the sinner that was what Christ did. He told people when they were sinning and he opposed sin. Inspite of the sin he still loved them as a person. My point is that when I oppose homosexuality and say that it's wrong, I'm not hating homosexuals, only saying that what they do is wrong. There's a difference.

If I know my Bible (and I think I do), Sodom and Gamora were fairly excessive in their activities. They had no concept of celibacy whatsoever, as I recall. So there is a line that can be drawn between just being gay and going to the ridiculus extremes that Sodom and Gamora went to...Just saying.

Also, I just want to say that puberty can be an extremely confusing time. People can think they have feelings for others of the opposite sex, panic, then realize that they are not gay later on. Hormones can do strange things to you. I'm not really making an arguement for anything, I'm just saying that I know people who have had that happen to them.

 

[11MAN]

I'm sorry you believe this ocean angel, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Who manifested himself through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only one and true God, will punish unrepentant homosexuals, Idolaters, liars and all those who do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was once a homosesexual and When Christ revealed himself in a raging thunderstorm and told me to repent or he would destroy me, I repented, believed the gospel and was saved.

I encourage you, if you claim to be a christian, speak according to God's word. If you speak of otherwise, you will be seen as a false prophet, and you will be justifying the wicked.

Please consider carefully, you will have to give account for every word spoken, and all the advice you give.

In Christ
J