Article by: Kenneth J. Ester
The Christian Debate on Homosexuality
The constant debate among Christians over homosexuality actually doesn't come down to the sin of homosexuality. The problem with understanding homosexuality is actually due to contradicting beliefs in other doctrines.
Salvation
According to God's Word, we are saved by believing in Jesus and nothing else. Not by works, not by water baptism, and not by asking forgiveness. Not by anything other than faith in Christ! If you do not agree with this, read "How We are Saved".
The Effects of Sin
The common teaching is that sin sends us to hell. The Bible never actually says this. According to God's Word, the Unbeliever will be cast into hell because they reject Jesus as their Lord. The level of their suffering will be according to their sin. However, sin will not send the Believer to hell. With the Believer, sin will have two effects. 1) Sin will separate them from God in their personal relationship with God. 2) Sin eats away our rewards in the afterlife. If you disagree with this, please read the "Truth of Sin."
If you disagree with either of those beliefs, it is useless for us to argue over homosexuality because we simply cannot possibly agree on homosexuality unless we get to the truth of those two matters first.
Since I believe we are saved by faith and nothing else. I believe that if someone is gay and believes in Jesus as their Lord, they will also be saved. Because I believe sin does not send the Believer to hell, I believe the sin of homosexuality will not send the homosexual to hell.
I fully believe that the reason any homosexuals will go to hell, will be because they rejected Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Any homosexual who believes in their heart that Jesus is Lord will be saved. If you disagree with that, it is because you disagree with one of those other two statements. In which I hope you will read those articles closely and see if you can prove them wrong.
Salvation
According to God's Word, we are saved by believing in Jesus and nothing else. Not by works, not by water baptism, and not by asking forgiveness. Not by anything other than faith in Christ! If you do not agree with this, read "How We are Saved".
The Effects of Sin
The common teaching is that sin sends us to hell. The Bible never actually says this. According to God's Word, the Unbeliever will be cast into hell because they reject Jesus as their Lord. The level of their suffering will be according to their sin. However, sin will not send the Believer to hell. With the Believer, sin will have two effects. 1) Sin will separate them from God in their personal relationship with God. 2) Sin eats away our rewards in the afterlife. If you disagree with this, please read the "Truth of Sin."
If you disagree with either of those beliefs, it is useless for us to argue over homosexuality because we simply cannot possibly agree on homosexuality unless we get to the truth of those two matters first.
Since I believe we are saved by faith and nothing else. I believe that if someone is gay and believes in Jesus as their Lord, they will also be saved. Because I believe sin does not send the Believer to hell, I believe the sin of homosexuality will not send the homosexual to hell.
I fully believe that the reason any homosexuals will go to hell, will be because they rejected Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Any homosexual who believes in their heart that Jesus is Lord will be saved. If you disagree with that, it is because you disagree with one of those other two statements. In which I hope you will read those articles closely and see if you can prove them wrong.
