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Post by Logan on Nov 15, 2008 16:32:23 GMT -5
Can you be gay and still go to heaven why, or why not? Is there a gay gene, please explain.
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Post by Mike Miller on Nov 25, 2008 9:55:57 GMT -5
Hey. Sorry it has taken so long to respond, but since you and I actually discussed this after you posted, and since I've been moving, I let it slip down my to-do list.
Anyway, you have two questions. I'll answer the second one first. Is there a "gay gene?" Who knows? There has yet to be any kind of genetic or otherwise medical link to homosexuality. Homosexuals with integrity admit as much. However, even if there were, that would not mean homosexuality is not a sin. Of course the argument is that if people are genetically predisposed to homosexuality, then that means God made them that way, and if God made them that way, then it can't be sin. Hogwash! Would the same argument be used if someone is genetically predisposed to alcoholism or violent behavior? Would we say, "Oh, well God made that person to be violent, therefore their violence is not sin. We should encourage their lifestyle." Of course not, so really the discussion doesnt' have much relevance to me.
Now, can a person be "gay" and go to heaven? I think you want to know if a person can be a practicing homosexual and go to heaven. My answer will be nuanced, but let's use another sin for our discussion. Let's use lying (we could use stealing, adultery, or any other sin). Can a liar go to heaven? Any person can be saved, regardless of their sins. But can a liar be saved and continue to lie? Well, when we come to Christ, we don't become perfect and stop sinning altogether (wouldn't that be nice?). However, when a liar is saved, he should repent of his lying and become someone who tells the truth. Does this mean he will never lie again? Not necessarily, but it means that he now sees his lying a sinning against God and that when he does stumble, he will be convicted by the Holy Spirit, confess his sin, and repent, doing all that is necessary to make amends for what he has done. In other words, while he might tell a lie, he will not be the same person he was before, and he most certainly will not advocate lying, say that God made him a liar, start churches for liars, or consider himself a Christian liar.
So, what about the homosexual? Same thing. Does salvation mean he won't ever be tempted, and even stumble? Nope. But the truly saved person rejects his sin and strives to live sin-free as a new creation in Christ. He might still be a homosexual in that he has homosexual temptations, but he will not continue in that lifestyle.
Check out 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; and Ephesians 5:1-6.
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Post by exjourneygoer on Nov 25, 2008 17:23:27 GMT -5
How true that is. And if I might add some "workshop" to this discussion, if a homosexual really repents, and is born again, and is a new creature, he has some work to do. First and foremost, getting rid of all connections with his old lifestyle. That means friends, pictures, memories, places and things that are constant reminders of that old lifestyle. Surround yourself with a church group, and make new friends that can edify you and build you up. Secondly, confiding in some prayer partners that the person can pray with. Thirdly, and I believe to be the most important, is to confess your healing. Just as if it was a sickness or disease, (because it is demon possession). Confess your healing, believing for it through faith and know that God can heal any situation. ALL things are possible to them that believe.
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Post by Mike Miller on Nov 26, 2008 10:36:16 GMT -5
Thanks so much for that last post. I want to clarify on one thing, however. We should be careful to equate all sin with demon possession. A person does not have to be demon possessed to sin. We born with a totally depraved sin nature that is inclined toward evil, so we don't need help from demonic forces to pervert God's gift of human sexuality.
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