for the record I believe bible teaches we are to kind to all men for Christ died for all. Being a nurse I've worked to homosexuals and not one can say I've treated them unkind. Just because someone is not for the gay christian thing doesn't mean they hate gays.
To me none of this is that complicated.
Actually... it is. Especially when we're not even in agreement as to what to ALLOW them to call themselves. lol
Once we all agree on a terminology to accept and require them to use....we can get past the PETTY issues... we can then get into the deeper problems they face as born again Christians.
For me it's quite simple. Someone is gay. They feel attracted to the same gender. They become a born again Christian. They still feel attracted to the same gender though they refuse to act on it out of a love for Christ. So they call themselves "gay Christians". Then nearly half of us throw our hands up in the air and refuse to acknowledge them because they used the term "gay" in front of Christian. lol Then these folk who want to argue over terminology need to define terms by arguing over...What is gay? What is Christian? Can a Christian be gay? Does a true Christian become mirculously healed of being gay? What causes one to be gay? Is being gay a choice? Is being gay developmental? Is being gay genetic? Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Then the topic gets real complicated and the squeemish have once more avoided the issue by battling over words.
It's not that complicated. We have Christians who are gay. If they are sincere and mature in their walk with Christ they do not seek to act on their attractions. However, if they are still in need of discipleship and learning the Word, they might have some more significant struggles. Remember, few were instantly perfected behaviorally the day they were saved. For most (actually everyone I can think of) sanctification is a process. So these believers wish to call themselves "gay Christians". One reason is because so many Christians refuse to accept that they exist among us. The second reason is that so many gays refuse to believe that a gay person can even be a Christian. Some gay people think becoming a Christian is like treason to the community. So they use a term that goes against everyone's assumptions and prejudices. And of course, they primarily use the term in an evangelistic context when engaging the gay community most of the time. So it can be simple... they're "gay Christians". Accept it. Pray for them. Find out who they are as people and how you can help disciple them closer to Christ as they minister to others who might want out of that lifestyle. And if they are drawing nearer to Christ, don't give a flying floot what they call themselves.
It can be easy and uncomplicated... but until some here allow others to define themselves (rather they agree or not)... it's going to be complicated right out of the gate.
Actually... it is. Especially when we're not even in agreement as to what to ALLOW them to call themselves. lol
Once we all agree on a terminology to accept so we can get past the PETTY issues... we can get to the deeper problems they face as born again Christians.
maybe we now have "petty christians"
__________________
Today pull up the little weeds,
The sinful thoughts subdue,
Or they will take the reins themselves
And someday master you. --Anon.
The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us.
Actually... it is. Especially when we're not even in agreement as to what to ALLOW them to call themselves. lol
Once we all agree on a terminology to accept and require them to use....we can get past the PETTY issues... we can then get into the deeper problems they face as born again Christians.
For me it's quite simple. Someone is gay. They feel attracted to the same gender. They become a born again Christian. They still feel attracted to the same gender though they refuse to act on it out of a love for Christ. So they call themselves "gay Christians". Then nearly half of us throw our hands up in the air and refuse to acknowledge them because they used the term "gay" in front of Christian. lol Then these folk who want to argue over terminology need to define terms by arguing over...What is gay? What is Christian? Can a Christian be gay? Does a true Christian become mirculously healed of being gay? What causes one to be gay? Is being gay a choice? Is being gay developmental? Is being gay genetic? Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Then the topic gets real complicated and the squeemish have once more avoided the issue by battling over words.
It's not that complicated. We have Christians who are gay. If they are sincere and mature in their walk with Christ they do not seek to act on their attractions. However, if they are still in need of discipleship and learning the Word, they might have some more significant struggles. Remember, few were instantly perfected behaviorally the day they were saved. For most (actually everyone I can think of) sanctification is a process. So these believers wish to call themselves "gay Christians". One reason is because so many Christians refuse to accept that they exist among us. The second reason is that so many gays refuse to believe that a gay person can even be a Christian. Some gay people think becoming a Christian is like treason to the community. So they use a term that goes against everyone's assumptions and prejudices. And of course, they primarily use the term in an evangelistic context when engaging the gay community most of the time. So it can be simple... they're "gay Christians". Accept it. Pray for them. Find out who they are as people and how you can help disciple them closer to Christ as they minister to others who might want out of that lifestyle. And if they are drawing nearer to Christ, don't give a flying floot what they call themselves.
It can be easy and uncomplicated... but until some here allow others to define themselves (rather they agree or not)... it's going to be complicated right out of the gate.
Not born again. They are clinging to the carnal man
I became a new creature. I do not go by Marlboro man of God.
Saul took his new name.
Jacob accepted his new name.
Cassius Clay took on Mohammad Ali. (I have met him 2 times)
Bible says to put away the past. You say keep the identity.
Lot's wife looked back. How did that work out for her? NaCl. She is salt of the earth.
Oh snap. I don't think this thread is going anywhere productive. The same arguments keep cycling over and over.
__________________
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." - C.S. Lewis
LOL. if being a Christian was as simple as some of you are suggesting, the epistles would never have been written.
Church would just be tents with evangelist getting people saved and that would be the last time anyone needed to walk in a church cuz they would be all "mindofchrist" and all that.
you people make me laugh. your funny.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Semantics. You're assuming that just because they use a terminology you disagree with that there is something wrong with them. lol
If a born again Christian who still struggles from same gender attraction wishes to call themselves a "gay Christian"... what right have you to tell them they can't and question their walk and motives? That's my point. While you and I might disagree and feel that simply calling one's self a believer or a Christian is good enough... they don't. They've felt the pressure, the shame, the hate, the discrimination, the suspecion, the being called reprobate, and the list goes on and on. Like must unpopular groups who eventually want to be heard... they claim the identity and refuse to be ignored.
So, I have no issue with the terminology. I don't hike my dress up like it's gross and twaddle away screaming and accusing. I'm just saying... listen to them. Take the time to hear them. Hear their pleas. Their concerns. Their struggles. Their temptations. Their fears. Even if they call themselves.... *gasp!* "gay Christians".
Therein lies the problem. They are giving their own sinful lusts credibility by naming and claiming it as their own. What should be a shameful thing worthy of repentance has become a badge to wear in "honor" of an abomination.
Listening to them, helping them, and praying with them is all good and right... Nevertheless, the end result can never be acceptance as fellow believers in Christ, unless there is a willingness to abandon homosexuality.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Therein lies the problem. They are giving their own sinful lusts credibility by naming and claiming it as their own. What should be a shameful thing worthy of repentance has become a badge to wear in "honor" of an abomination.
Listening to them helping them and praying with them is all good and right... but the end result can never be acceptance as fellow in Christ unless there is a willingness to abandon homosexuality.
Linear Mode
