TAYA ~ Teens and Young Adults

It is tragic when anyone lets their sin become their identity, no matter the sin. We are to love all and I pray that we do.

I see this all of the time. Christians condemn solely the homosexual community, but are more lenient with the sins of the straight crowd because the congregation can relate more closely with their sins. This is not fair. God hates ALL sin, and for the Christian community to judge more harshly on one specific sin is just discrimination and pride. If we feel in our hearts that it is more wrong, we need to pray about our feelings. We should never be the ones to judge. As you said, that is God’s job.

This is true. If we welcome the drug addict, the prostitute and the alcoholic into our Church family’s with open arms we should also welcome the Homosexual. How are they supposed to find the healing, acceptance, and forgiveness of Christ if we don’t show love.

I agree with everyone’s comments about the sin of homosexuality, however, I don’t believe all sin will have the same repercussions. In my opinion, I may be completely wrong, but I believe that some sins will have stronger repercussions, such as murder, rape…and homosexuality. God made it very clear he hates THIS sin particularly, by burning two entire cities to the ground. Yes, those two cities had all kinds of sins, but in the bible it mentioned that even the two angels were tempted into sexual acts, which to me, focuses on God’s wrath of the sexual ways they lived by. They focused on that sin. We should in no way judge the homosexual, or any sinner, but also, in NO way should we ever try and normalize it, for it is against human nature. The media today tries and calls upon the normalization of homosexuality, and unfortunately, the young teens who have not been properly prepared by their parents could easily fall into thinking its okay. True christians need to pray for the homosexuals, that they open their eyes and see this is not the way God intended for them to live. H.H Pope Shenouda III (Coptic Pope who just passed away) said that God did not create man to fail, it would of been better for a man to never of been created than to live his life and fail to hell. We are holy sanctuaries of Christ, and we should never defile that. Thats why I believe the homosexual sin is more condemning than say a lie. (which also carries its own weight in consequences)

Mina you are exactly right! There are strong punishments for different sins. No sin makes you untouchable or unable to be used by God.
Homosexuality is a different kind of sin because it is tied directly to your emotions and your soul as any sexual sin is. that is one of the reasons I think that God takes it so seriously. He does speak about it a lot in the bible and is very passionate about.
The point that I want Christians to realize is that we are not the one that should be passing judgement. We need to be actively loving and helping people who do not know God so that they can allow him to change these things in their life.
Thank you so much for your point of view Mina, it is always important to remember that sin should never be taken lightly, candy coated or accepted as the norm.

The good news is that, no matter how serious the sin, God is always seeking us out and is willing to forgive and forget our sins and give us a fresh start. As long as we live, it is never too late to ask for forgiveness and make a new start!

If we are continually challenged to be like Christ, then by would we treat any sin different than any other sin?

Romans 6:23 tells us CLEARLY that “the wages of sin is death.” it does not state that death is only a consequence when “Certain” sins are commited.

Regarding Mina’s comment (please keep in mind that I am only saying this because I love you and want you to help encourage you; NOT for you to think that your opionion is not valuable – I would rather be wrong and learn than always be right and never have had a revelation.) on “Proportionate Punishment”… consider the old testement, a reaction (sin) deserved an EQUAL punishment – “Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Or, greater and lesser punishments for greather and lesser sins…. Jesus even told us that we were NOT to think this way anymore! Math. 5: 38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.”

I have a hard time thinking that Jesus (God) wouldnt follow the very rules that they asked us to follow when regarding our sins.

[...] about quote scriptures about Homosexuality being a sin, but yet lusts after Women in [...]

None of you feel that you are born gay? That blows my mind. If your not Born gay then that means you have to choose it. And if that’s so then it means you had the Choice to be Gay or Strait. So everyone here Chose to like the opposite sex? You just weigh it out and say “well ones a sin and the other isn’t so i guess I’ll be a heterosexual? Or were you born Strait? If you were born strait then they were born Gay.

I find it so belittling for people to say that a man cannot love another man the way he can love a woman. Love has no bounds. If they are truly in love with each other how can that be a sin or evil? If their thoughts are only of caring and being there for their partner how is that a sin? I know its what your book says, but you have to have some humanity and accept that their are other kinds of loves out there. Just because you don’t understand or are not a part of them does not make them any less real.

The bible does says it is detestable for a man to lay with another man, but it also says that eating Rabbit is Sin. Are both of these Sins of equal Value?

As far as you guys saying you need to accept them into your church and help them be healed, that seems to be the oposite of what the bible suggests you do. The bible give two options for Homosexuals.

1. it says you put them both to death.

2. it says you must cut them off from their people.

Dustin

Thank you for bringing up one good points! The debate Of being born gay verses a choice is a very hot topic of debate!

The truth is we are all born with a sin nature! Since the fall of man kind every single one of us is born a sinner. We each have a particular sin that we are prone to. The bible describes satin as a lion prowling around looking for someone to devour. Lions prey on their victims weaknesses!

I know I am prone to negativity self pity and addictive behaviors. These seem like smaller sins in many church goers eyes but they are parts of my personality that I am born with that speperate me from God and If left to manifest its self 100% would separate me from God and send me to hell! But I trust in Jesus Christ as my savior and over time of walking with him I saw my flaws and began to confess them and walk away from them they no longer separate me from God but it is a constant struggle.

I have other friends who are heterosexual who have a craving for the opposite sex that is deeply ingrained in them. If they act on that outside of the marriage stucture that god designed that is sin. One could say they were born with this desire
For the oposite sex so fulfilling it was just their nature. Acting inappropriatly on this desire separates them from heaven but After accepting Christ as their savior God shows them the error of their ways and helps them through that struggle. But it is a struggle. Always!

The same can be said about a drug addict or alcoholic. So yes it could be said that a person is born gay. An attraction to the same sex could be what they have in their sin nature that Satan can pray on. But until someone gives into these desires they have not sinned.

Our free will which was given to us by God allows us to choose if we want to give into that sin nature and act contrary to God or if we want to fight against that sin nature and follow god.

So your observations are very true.

But God is a just God who does not tolerate sin so though he loves us deeply he will not tolerate us walking in direct opposition with him.

God does call his people to go out as spread the good news to a lost and dyeing world. He has made a way for us to be cleaned and freed of our sins. So he does not want Christians to condem
Those who are sinning but to love them and show them the way to Jesus.

God is the judge not Christians for everyone of us has sinned and fell short of te glory of god.

To address your question about the dietary “sin” and sexual “sin” please not that the dietary sin was actually part of the Levitical law. These were the laws that God gave to the Jews before Jesus. These laws were there to protect them and set them apart as they lived a nomadic life.

When Jesus died the bible tells us we are no longer under the law which included many of the things you hear such as the things that make you unclean, the foods to obtain from and even length of hair.

In the new testimant of the bible Jesus re-states the laws we are to follow this includes rules about sexual sins, drunkenness and how to treat your Christian brothers and sister. These are the laws that we are to follow.

So to answer your question no eating rabbit is not in the same category as homosexual behavior.

But lying, drunkenness homosexuality and heterosexuality sex outside of marriage are all In the same category spiritually.

It was mentioned in earlier comments that there are different effects and earthly punishments for these sins that make some more severe than others while here on earth.

But what it boils down to is all sin separates us from God. All sin sends is to hell and we all
Have sinned and are in need of a Savior to escape hell.

I’ve heard that about different Set of laws in the old and new testament , but it seems like there is sometimes a blurring of the lines when it comes to which laws to follow.

Could you please send me the the location in the bible that Jesus talks about Homosexuality? I’ve heard many times that he doesn’t really mention it, but it too easy if i just agree with that. I would like to read for myself his lessons and laws on the issue.

Dustin
Often times people do not read and study the whole bible. This is what causes the blurring of the lines in the two sets of laws. Christians are simply people who believe on Jesus and are forgiven for there sins. There is not an instant intelligence that comes with it. Sadly that is where a lot of extra rules come from. You can read these rules in the book of Leviticus. It is actually real interesting because when you break it down these rules are mostly for their health.

You see a few times where they speak of homosexual acts it refers to it as perversion in the new testament 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Romans 1:26-27

You will notice when these sins are mentioned right along side of relations between man and woman that are outside of his design for marriage. Matthew 19:4-6

He sees sexual sins as detestible. My opinion is because you sexual side is tied to your soul and your emotions. When you have sex with someone it ties you to them emotionally, mentally and spiritually. So when you commit a sexual sin it effects us more greatly then any of the others. This is why God speaks about it so much in the old testament.

Is there anything else I can address or dig into more for you! I honestly enjoy the challenge allows me I learn and increase my faith!!

Have a great day!

Dustin:
You may have missed some of the other options for “sinners” of the sexual nature or (?) “You who are spiritual, restore such a one, in the spirit of meekness lest you also be tempted.” and I guess knowing that Jesus spoke and said to the woman caught in adultery (another sexual sin) – …”Neither do I condemn you, Go and sin no more.” sin – eating rabbit….sin – homosexual behavior…sin – lying…sin- gossiping…or spiritual pride, thinking one is better than another (…Whatever the “sin” is…is just that in “reality” – Sin. Sin separates us from God – not the “Love of God” – nothing can do that.

Not sure any one is born gay or straight…we are born in the image of God…we are born into a fallen/broken world. We all have “choices” we just don’t get to choose the consequences of those choices…

I agree with you…there are many kinds of “love” out there…there are also many kinds of “lusts” and “imaginations” and “deceptions”…just want to say that love is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit, not the Lustful Spirit, or the Lying Spirit, or the Deceitful Spirit…we really are called to holiness. It is my belief that the opposite of homosexuality is “not” heterosexuality, but “holiness” – just a thought for us to ponder…

btw – thank you for you passion and thoughtfulness in this blog…

Blessings,
Tom

Thank you Tom for your input!

This is all great stuff!

Please keep your questions coming!

Hi everyone. I am new here. I have a heart for this subject and for those who struggle with homosexuality. My background is that I was married to a gay man and I currently have a son and daughter who live a gay identified life. I would like to invite those who would like to attend to Trinity E-Free church on the south side of South Bend this coming Sunday evening, April 15th at 6pm to hear Christopher Yuan (co-author of Out of a Far Country – A gay son’s journey to God. A broken mother’s search for hope.) speak regarding a Christian response to homosexuality. He is also giving his testimony earlier in the day 9:00am & 10:30am at St. Mark’s Missionary Church
Mishawaka, IN.

Thank you for sharing this!! I will be sure to pass this information along to anyone who has had this subject touch their life!

I am not trying to say anything negative here and hope that every one will understand but in all honestly i believe this post was written poorly and found the whole thing and several comments to be very offensive. I am very sorry that i even read this. This is a subject that should not be spoken about unless you can speak with pure respect and understanding, without being condescending and hurtful, no matter what your opinion and veiws may be. Remember the road to Hell is paved with good intentions…

Tona:

Not meaning to “offend” anyone, especially in this arena…the LORD knows how many have been “hurt” and “offended” by well-meaning individuals inside and outside of the church with regards to homosexuality. I “do” believe that holiness and purity are mentioned so often in the New Testament, it is unavoidable…

As a “believer” I am free from the law “of sin and death”…there isn’t any sin (sexual -homo or hetero) that the LORD doesn’t make a way of escape from, so we will be able to bear it (and not sin)…

There are a whole list of “sins” or “sinners” – who intentionally continue to live in a particular sin – that will “not” inherit the kingdom of God…the scripture tells us that “and such were some of you, but now are you washed, now are you clean – by the blood sacrifice of Jesus” — we are “free from sin” not “free to sin”

Many are offended by the Good News that we are free and do not have to sin…it is uncomfortable and even offensive to some to have to look at the fact that we really do have a choice to sin or not sin…

I think a forum like this good, because it will help each of us think: “What do I really believe?”…this is important… it could make a difference for eternity…

In Christ Alone I put my trust…

please understand that I am not contesting or questioning any ones beliefs on this… I am not arguing the fact of sin or not.. I am clearly stating as a human being to another human being, that no matter what your beliefs are or how they may differ from any one else, this is poorly written and offensive… I am not trying to seem hyper sensitive and I completely understand the message and the point that you are trying to convey. I am speaking maybe on less of a religious level and more of a human, person to person, level. I am sorry if it was worded in a way that maybe seemed different.

following peace here…

@Tona,

What do you find offensive or poorly written? please point out specific areas, and your view point supported by life experience, facts, or other information that support your argument.

Please note personal attacks will not be tolerated as you have read above others have disagreed, and that’s acceptable, but personal attacks will not be.

I don’t mean any type of disrespect. and I am sorry for not elaborating. I am by no means saying your point of view is wrong and any one else is better. I am not even saying that I do or don’t agree.

“…the gays…”

“…Jesus will change the heart of a homosexual Christian in his time…”

I just feel that it was written a little bit offensively, and could maybe have been written better as to not be hurtful and sound demeaning to any one. I don’t mean any for of personal attack on any one. I just think sometimes it is better to remain respectful and understanding when writing about serious and crucial topics, especially geared towards an impressionable crowds. religious or not I think there is something to be said about respect. I don’t mean to sound like I am against any one here.

“…Jesus does not require a person to be perfect and cleaned up before they come to Him. He desires you to come to Him just as you are. It is not the Christian’s job to clean people up to bring them to Jesus. Rather bring them to Jesus and let Him clean them up…”

I believe this was written well…

but with that being said I would hate for one of my own children to read this post and think it is ok to not show complete respect for ALL people at ALL times.

I am sorry, and I am truly not trying to offend any one or attack or be mean, I only hope that this topic and many others can be discussed graciously and without demeaning any one.

“the gays” is written how it was ment to be written as the entire post is showing how that type of thinking is wrong for a Christian.

Just because of ones sin doesn’t exclude them from Gods love. Jesus said I didn’t come for the healthy but the sick.

We can sugar coat it all we want but sin is sin, whether it be homosexuality, lying, cheating, drunkenness, or marital unfaithfulness or any other sexual sin, and many more. Jesus did not sugar coat it at all. Jesus said many times after healing someone to go, repent, and sin no more.

Tom’s response to your initial post clearly relays that message, and don’t just take our word for it please research it an test it against the Bible.

“We must reach out with a clarion call. We must stand up and voice our opposition to violence and hateful words. We must be clear that the lives of gay people are worthy of respect, dignity and honor as those created in the very image of God.”
— Tom Cole