Gay Christians who choose celibacy.....

[MorningGlory]

This is a side of the faith/homeosexual see-saw that isn't given much press. I admire these people for their tough choice and I pray that God will reward them for their faithfulness. Opinions?

http://news.yahoo.com/celibate-gay-christians-deal-desire-115103611.html

[OakWood]

If they choose to do it this way and abstain, then good for them. I think they deserve their salvation.

[Guest shiloh357]

If they choose to do it this way and abstain, then good for them. I think they deserve their salvation.

No. They do not "deserve" salvation. They are not Christians to start with. Salvation is a gift, not a reward or a prize. No one deserves it.

[WarmRoom]

I am confused Shiloh if they are abstaining from the sinful nature how are they not Christians? If they do good works as James 2:24 states if they believe in the lord jesus as Christ as John 3:16 states and they keep the commandments how are they not Christian? seems to me like if there is a heaven they have an equal shot at getting there. If we are arguing semantics on deserved isn't that really just it? whether salvation is a gift does not change the fact that it is deserved or not one can deserve a gift deserving something is not exclusive to rewards. for example at Christmas when I was a child I got a bike for being a good boy and doing my chores.

[MorningGlory]

If they choose to do it this way and abstain, then good for them. I think they deserve their salvation.

No. They do not "deserve" salvation. They are not Christians to start with. Salvation is a gift, not a reward or a prize. No one deserves it.

I have to disagree, Shiloh. It seems to me that they are trying very hard at being Christians, followers of Christ. Of course they don't deserve salvation; as you said, none of us do. It would seem to follow that anyone who turns their back on their homosexual nature, and follows the Lord, is repentenant.

[OakWood]

If they choose to do it this way and abstain, then good for them. I think they deserve their salvation.

No. They do not "deserve" salvation. They are not Christians to start with. Salvation is a gift, not a reward or a prize. No one deserves it.

I have to disagree, Shiloh. It seems to me that they are trying very hard at being Christians, followers of Christ. Of course they don't deserve salvation; as you said, none of us do. It would seem to follow that anyone who turns their back on their homosexual nature, and follows the Lord, is repentenant.

When you say that none of us deserve salvation, I understand what you mean, but we do deserve it because has God has decided that we do. It depends how you define 'deserve'.

Let's put it this way - they deserve it as much as any of us do.

[missmuffet]

If they choose to do it this way and abstain, then good for them. I think they deserve their salvation.

No. They do not "deserve" salvation. They are not Christians to start with. Salvation is a gift, not a reward or a prize. No one deserves it.

I disagree shiloh.God loves each and everyone of us homosexual or not.If a homosexual makes a tough choice to be obedient to Him and be celeibate then I think they are making Godly choices.I pray that God will give them the strength to continue that choice.

[lance.dunlop]

I believe Shiloh is merely pointing out that if they are trying to be Christians and deserving their salvation, then they aren't actually Christians, being it is not a matter of works. Because no one deserves salvation. They deserve the wrath of God as much as the Apostle Paul. There is no trying.

On my behalf for this post, I do not disagree that they can be saved and choose celibacy. However...THEY MUST be proceeding through sanctification and confronting their homosexual nature. Being celibate simply isn't enough. It is something that they have to confront just like everyone does with whatever sin is their greatest vice, whatever lust of the flesh that we once chose or are still choosing. It's not a choice. We must all walk through the valley and fight in the Spirit for our victory over our sinful flesh, celibate or not. But never deserving of salvation.

[missmuffet]

I believe Shiloh is merely pointing out that if they are trying to be Christians and deserving their salvation, then they aren't actually Christians, being it is not a matter of works. Because no one deserves salvation. They deserve the wrath of God as much as the Apostle Paul. There is no trying.

On my behalf for this post, I do not disagree that they can be saved and choose celibacy. However...THEY MUST be proceeding through sanctification and confronting their homosexual nature. Being celibate simply isn't enough. It is something that they have to confront just like everyone does with whatever sin is their greatest vice, whatever lust of the flesh that we once chose or are still choosing. It's not a choice. We must all walk through the valley and fight in the Spirit for our victory over our sinful flesh, celibate or not. But never deserving of salvation.

None of us deserve heaven and salvation.If they are gay and remain celibate and believe Jesus Christ is the risen Son of God and ask for forgiveness yes they will go to heaven.

[lance.dunlop]

I'm not saying they can't or won't be saved. I'm saying there should be visible fruit of salvation as well. Because there are an untold number of people in the world who call themselves Christians who are not saved, and they say they are Christians, yet Christ does not know them and He will deny that He ever knew them. Part of eventual sanctification is fighting all the lusts of the flesh. And if they are mature enough to accept His calling them into a celibate life, then they should also be mature enough to combat homosexual thoughts. That's all I'm saying. There should be a righting of wrong as with us all. I stopped stealing when I came to Christ, but I still much fight to put to death the temptations when they arise, and fight to cut off that part of the flesh so I have complete victory. I struggle with lusts of the flesh, I cannot simply ignore them, though it does not take away my salvation, I MUST move forward in sanctification.