Gays in the life of the church

[Ddavid from NC]

You summed it all up in one word you may have overlooked David. PATIENCE! I never approach someone who may be leading a homosexual lifestyle, with the first intent of informing them of their sin. And we can go a step further and say that , "we should never attack someone firsthand with that approach about any sin. Actually let's not forget, the only person we are to warn about God's commands that we feel they are sinning against are other Believers. So in many of these cases, technically we are not to confront these people as it would be difficult to determine which gay people are "practicing believers" as the instant it is declared they are living a gay lifestyle, you can hardly call them "believers." As with any other sinner, you can't be both at the same time. That would be as an oxymoron, to consider one a believer and a sinner at the same time.

As long as we draw breath in this life we are still sinners.

~Neeva

Neeva I think I know what you are trying to communicate...Its probably just semantical...but Scripture says the Old man passed away...we were once sinners, NT now refers to us as saints...the book with the most frequency fo the title is the Corinthian letters which were a reprimand of sin among the saints...But I think I know what you are saying...

[OneLight]

As long as we draw breath in this life we are still sinners.

~Neeva

I so whole heartedly agree! Yet, of all the sins, being gay is one of the hardest not to recognize. At least for me. I can't tell by meeting someone if they are a lier, thief, slanderer, coveter, adulterer, and so on, but when I do meet a gay person, I know. Maybe it is because I know a lot of gay people?

Sin is sin and one is not greater then another, except for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, in Gods eyes. It's the way of man that puts one above another. When we think about any type of sexual sin, we all take it in a different light, for sex is something that bonds one to another in a way that stands all by itself, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

OneLight

[Ddavid from NC]

As long as we draw breath in this life we are still sinners.

~Neeva

I so whole heartedly agree! Yet, of all the sins, being gay is one of the hardest not to recognize. At least for me. I can't tell by meeting someone if they are a lier, thief, slanderer, coveter, adulterer, and so on, but when I do meet a gay person, I know. Maybe it is because I know a lot of gay people?

Sin is sin and one is not greater then another, except for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, in Gods eyes. It's the way of man that puts one above another. When we think about any type of sexual sin, we all take it in a different light, for sex is something that bonds one to another in a way that stands all by itself, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

OneLight

There is only one sin that will keep you from the Kingdom...unbelief...but to believe that all sins are alike...is to shallow an approach. Sins in earthly consequences are graded according to severity and ramifications. Sins of a sexual nature carry the gravest of consequences and God uses His strongest language for sins of sexual immorality. Why, because of the level of bondage and unescapable earthly consequences. These sins incorporate the emotional health and spiritual health of those we participate in these sins. Paul says even the world recognizes these immoralities as grave. "So sin is sin" is a common cliche' but it just doesn't fit reality. Thank God for mercy and grace...! We can destroy our lives in a moment of lust. Please consider it don't just counter point.

[OneLight]

The unbelief that you speak of is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is like calling God a lier when the Holy Spirit tries to convict you of your sins in order to bring you to repentance. I agree.

We can destroy our lives in a moment of lust. Please consider it don't just counter point.

We can also destroy ourselves in a moment of any sin. I am not trying to counter point anything, for I have given this many years of thought. This is what I have settled on.

I am posting this scripture knowing well that it is talking about the new earth.

Revelation 22:14-15

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Sin will never be allowed in the presence of God, and those who are not allowed will be forever outside of His grace, no matter which sin it is. Yes, we all sin, but we also have to repent and ask for forgiveness. It is up to Jesus to assign any "level of punishment" He sees fit to a sinner, not us.

Christians try their best to follow God's example and sometimes we even try on the hat of assigning degrees to a sin, separating one from another. Ask yourself, would you sit next to a lire before a homosexual? An adulterer before a pedophile? We all probably would say yes because of how one sin effects us over another. But in the next life, it does not matter. Sin will never enter the presence of God.

Maybe we should start another thread on this subject, Brother, so not tho hijack this one?

OneLight

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

Love vs. responsibility? They sort of go hand in hand.

True love is always responsible.

If we love the way God wants us to love we will be responsible enough to carry out that love without passing judgment or condemnation.

Look what the love of Jesus did for us then and what it is doing for us today.

John 8:7 . . . "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

Well, that leaves me out of the "casting stones" business, how 'bout you?

[Ddavid from NC]

Love vs. responsibility? They sort of go hand in hand.

True love is always responsible.

If we love the way God wants us to love we will be responsible enough to carry out that love without passing judgment or condemnation.

Look what the love of Jesus did for us then and what it is doing for us today.

John 8:7 . . . "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

Well, that leaves me out of the "casting stones" business, how 'bout you?

The Pharisees were using this woman caught in adultery to try and trap Jesus, they had no love in their confrontation of the woman. Just utilitarian arguments. Yes, Jesus showed mercy in this situation but notice the confrontation, "Go, and sin no more". Love and mercy still carry the responsibility of confronting sin and calling it for what it is. The verse you quote isn't tolerance on any level or everybody mind your own business. True love conforonts. But if there is no love in your heart for the person, best to keep your mouth shut and stay uninvolved. If there is love in your heart you are responsible to confront, or you prove your lack of love by letting them continue to self-destruct without the truth of confrontation.