Expert: Brenda Martin - 3/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have read only a couple of previous answers you have written, I am intrigued put my questions to the test. =)

Hi, I am Patrick.
I am a gay~ christian and I have been walking or journeying with the Lord about 7-8 years.  Though it has been a tough one, one might add.

Um, my question...

Is it possible for a christian to live faithfully in Christ if he were to still practice homosexuality, and why?



ANSWER: "Can a person live faithfully in Christ while practicing homosexuality?"

The answer lies in GOD'S view of the practice,so I have enclosed a bible article giving you his view--

How Does God View Homosexuality?

Today, many people—even some clergymen—soft-pedal the issue of homosexuality. Yet, the Bible leaves no room for confusion. It tells us that God made man and woman and that he purposed for sexual desires to be fulfilled ONLY between husband and wife. (Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:24) It comes as no surprise, then, that the Bible condemns homosexual acts.—Romans 1:26, 27.

Of course, many would say that the Bible is out-of-date, But why are some so quick to make that claim? Often, it is because the Bible’s view conflicts with their own. They reject God’s Word because it teaches something different from what they want to believe. That view is biased, though, and the Bible encourages us to rise above such closed-minded thinking! In fact, in his Word,God urges us to consider the fact that his commandments are for our good. (Isaiah 48:17, 18) That is reasonable. After all, who knows our human makeup better than our Creator?

How do these desires start in the first place?’

Some say that homosexuality is rooted in the genes. Others say it is a learned behavior. It is not the purpose of this article to delve into the “nature-versus-nurture” debate. Indeed, it seems that it would be a gross oversimplification to attribute homosexuality to a single cause. Homosexuality—much like other forms of behavior—appears to be far more complex than that.

Regardless of the cause, the important thing to realize is that the Bible condemns homosexual acts. Thus, the person who is struggling with same-sex desires is presented with a reachable goal—he or she can choose not to act on those desires. To illustrate: A person might be “disposed to rage.” (Proverbs 29:22) In the past he may have freely given in to fits of anger. After studying the Bible, though, he becomes aware of the need to develop self-control. Does this mean that he will never again feel anger welling up inside him?

No. However, because he knows what the Bible says about uncontrolled anger, he refuses to succumb to his feelings. It is similar with a person who has felt attracted to others of the same sex but who has now come to learn what the Bible says about homosexual practices. On occasion, an improper desire may still present itself. Nevertheless, by heeding the counsel of the Bible, the person can refrain from acting on that desire.

Granted, same-sex desires may be strongly entrenched. Be assured, though, that even deeply rooted wrong desires are not insurmountable. (1 Corinthians 9:27; Ephesians 4:22-24) Ultimately, you are in control of how you will live. (Matthew 7:13, 14; Romans 12:1, 2) And despite claims to the contrary, you can learn to control your impulses—or at least refrain from acting on them."

end of article.

To "live faithfully in Christ" therefore requires that our lives are in harmony with his, hence why Jesus said a follower would need to "disown himself" (MATTHEW 16:24).

To disown means to reject ownership. In this case it means rejecting ownership of oneself in favor of ownership by God.

To be "owned" by God, we must live our lives according to GOD'S view, not our own.

God detests homosexuality, adultery, lying, stealing etc etc, so if we want to be "owned" by God we must refrain from any & all of these practices.

all the best
Brenda







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: "God made man and woman and that he purposed for sexual desires to be fulfilled ONLY between husband and wife. (Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:24)"

So, from this quote, all who are homosexuals are not to partake in the pleasures that were made only for a husband and wife?
So what are homosexuals to with their life? I suppose, the biblical sense, to have the best kind of life, is to drop everything God detests, in ourselves, on earth to live "faithfully in Christ"?

"God detests homosexuality, adultery, lying, stealing etc etc, so if we want to be "owned" by God we must refrain from any & all of these practices."

Okay, you 'say' God detests here.  There is big implications that he hates.  And in this hate, I imagine is righteousness.  For all things were made good from him, but the man in sin have perverse from it's order.

So, do you regard that the Act of God is more important than... to say... the heart of God?


Thanks for your time and effort.
May the Lord bless.

Answer
"HOMOSEXUALS ARE NOT TO PARTAKE IN THE PLEASURES THAT WERE MADE ONLY FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE?"

No; according to the Bible book of Genesis, God himself created the differences between males and females. The record states: “God proceeded to create the man in his image . . . Male and female he created them. Further, God blessed them and God said to them: ‘Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it.’—Genesis 1:27, 28.

God created humans with free will and provided opportunities for them to enjoy their freedom. (Psalm 115:16) Entrusted with the responsibility of caring for all other living things on earth, man was even allowed to choose appropriate names for them. (Genesis 2:19) However, when it came to issues of sexuality, God gave specific guidelines.—Genesis 2:24.

Because of Adam’s disobedience, we have all inherited imperfection. We must therefore battle fleshly weaknesses and strong desires that are out of harmony with God’s original purpose. Thus, in the laws given through Moses, God specified sexual practices that were abhorrent to him—namely, adultery, incest, homosexuality, and bestiality. (Leviticus 18:6-23) God also specifically forbade portraying oneself as a member of the opposite sex for immoral purposes. (Deuteronomy 22:5) The Bible consistently teaches that the only sexual relations approved by God are with a member of the opposite sex within the marriage arrangement. (Genesis 20:1-5, 14; 39:7-9; Proverbs 5:15-19; Hebrews 13:4)

"SO WHAT ARE HOMOSEXUALS TO DO WITH THEIR LIFE?"

With God’s help, anyone can learn to “abstain from fornication,” which includes homosexual acts, and “get possession of his own vessel in sanctification and honour.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4) Admittedly, this is not always easy. Nathan, who formerly pursued a homosexual life-style, said: “I thought I could never stop.” But he did change with help from “the spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11) As Nathan discovered, no problem is too big for Jehovah, who can provide the strength and help needed to meet His standards and receive His blessings.—Psalm 46:1.

Another person who practiced homosexuality has this to say—“I have homosexual feelings that are contrary to what Jehovah approves. I’ve been to my share of specialists, so-called Christian and non-Christian alike. They cannot understand why I do not simply give in to my desires. It’s simple—I love Jehovah. Coping with these desires is very difficult—sometimes it seems almost impossible—but it can be done. The question I had to ask myself was: “Who do I love more, Jehovah or myself?” I chose Jehovah. (Matthew 22:37) I am happier now, having kept my love and loyalty for Jehovah, than when I loved myself more. My message to those who fight those feelings is this: If you love God as you keep saying you do, you’ll learn to rely on his love and strength and not on your own love for pleasure.”

"I SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE BEST KIND OF LIFE, IS TO DROP EVERYTHING GOD DETESTS, IN OURSELVES, ON EARTH TO LIVE "FAITHFULLY IN CHRIST"?"

Spot on :¬) to remain morally chaste, we must recognize that following such a life-style is worthwhile. This is in harmony with what the apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Rome: “Prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) Recognizing that moral chasteness is worthwhile involves more than simply knowing that immorality is condemned in God’s Word. It involves understanding the reasons why immorality is condemned and how we benefit by shunning it.

To remain in God’s love, we need to keep clean, not just in one or two respects but in all respects. Abandoning and keeping clear of defiling habits and practices may not be easy, but it is possible. Really, there is no better way to live, for Jehovah always teaches us to benefit ourselves. (Isaiah 48:17) Most important, by keeping clean we can have the satisfaction that comes from knowing that we are reflecting favourably on the God we love, thereby remaining in his love.

"YOU 'SAY' GOD DETESTS HERE, IN THIS HATE, I IMAGINE IS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

God will grant forgiveness to the person who truly repents, no matter what immorality that person may have been committing. There is no evidence that God views one form of immorality as worse than another. “God is not partial.” (Acts 10:34, 35) Consider, for example, the case of the first-century congregation in Corinth. The apostle Paul wrote to them: “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom.” Then Paul acknowledged that some former fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, and thieves had been accepted into the Christian congregation in Corinth. He explained: “And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.”—1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Of course, God does not tolerate any continued and persistent violation of his perfect moral standards. He definitely hates the obstinate disregard of his principles. However, he keeps the door for reconciliation open. (Psalm 86:5; Isaiah 55:7) In harmony with this, Christians do not make homosexuals, or anyone else, the target of ill will, ridicule, or harassment. True Christians view their fellow humans as potential disciples of Christ, treating them in a respectful and dignified manner. The Bible says: “This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.”—1 Timothy 2:3, 4.

"SO, DO YOU REGARD THAT THE ACT OF GOD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN... TO SAY... THE HEART OF GOD?"

Not to sure what you mean but I’m assuming it’s; “are actions more important than feelings?” (correct me if Im wrong)

Everlasting life cannot be earned & we cannot purchase it nor do anything to deserve it. The only way we can receive the gift of everlasting life is to “put our faith in Christ Jesus” and in Jehovah, “the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Gal. 2:16; Heb. 11:6) Nevertheless, faith must be demonstrated by actions, since “faith without works is dead.” (Jas. 2:26)

The early Christians proved their faith by how they actually lived. The disciple James urged all Christians: “Become doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22 ;) About 35 years after he wrote that, many Christians were continuing to prove their faith with appropriate works.

Jesus himself said: “He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life.” (John 3:36) How can we exercise faith in Jesus? Such faith is not shown by words alone, true faith is proved by “works,” that is, by our actions. One way to show that we have faith in Jesus is by doing our best to imitate him not just in what we say but also in what we do.—John 13:15.

All the best
Brenda