Homosexuals. Are they accepted?

[rosered]

 
  I have comfort in that   you shared sister ,as you do   
  But   I still  know that   the troubles of Jacob     follow all  who wrestle    with the Angel of the Lord   in the days of their flesh

Jesus  cursed the fig tree   because it was still lacking after it was  inspected
  We know God looks upon the heart    and the seeds fall on all types of  soil   , rocks and   heat

Maybe they need the seed[Christ]  to  start   in their heart  , by the planters   and waterers   like Paul and apollos     were in their day   

as we should be in our DAY       but it is nothing unless God gives the increase         

 

[Tom]

Amen, sis. I pray for you and your daughter. I was once a lost soul, strung out on dope, and on the street, but God's love changed my life. Keep the faith. You may not realize it, but your faith is affecting your daughter. She may not show it, but God is working on her through you.

[sheila]

Galations 3;10  Mark 11;25   let he who has no sin..cast the first stone[law on stoney hearts of unforgiveness of some-one

caught in the act of sin]

[rosered]

I guess what I am trying to say   is this   , I thought  I was  strong in the Lord   and when  put to the   test  ,    the lacking is   proof  !! not

Even after all these years and the Word of God   Love is not    as solid as I had hoped     it was  , this is so discouraging
  I had one of the worst weeks ...

  and the flood  come down and    knocked me down   to the face of dust and ashes , even when you try

   I know that   THEY   too will become disheartened      with the   whole mess   of  right and wrong and   temptation   and fighting against some thing inside them   that leaves them utterly destroyed    and broken   over and over and over  and over again

There is nothing worse than feeling God does not love you    and everyone else just tolerates you , Because God made you in a  image of corruption and that is all anyone ever sees  .

   Alot of them have suicidal tendencies       and they sure have     shared in the reckless lifestyle to prove  its    value   as many of us have  and do still

I just want to say I  believe its very easy to say  and very  very hard to do .

You can  beg  GOD  to change  you  ,  but it   is like a leopard changing his spots       , it dont work like that

There is  only , Gods grace as sufficient   , and that is the only thing you can trust in        .... :HeartThrob:

[newlove]

There could be a homosexual in a relationship with a gay partner reading this forum and he wants to be accepted by God.

If that is true i say please come in and say hello. You
have friends here .

[sheila]

....take comfort....for WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED IN A TWINKLING OF AN EYE....til then..keep  'putting up with" one another

  in love.

[Tom]

Sheila, getting back to your family's struggle with addiction that came up earlier, I just read this article that made me think it's about time that the authorities started getting real about treatment like they are about smokes and booze because it's the same thing except for the political pressure involved. Now maybe junkies will start getting some medical help instead of getting locked up. But I know from experience that you have to fill that hole in your soul with the spirit of God not just secular counseling because that's the only way to really be free from the demon. All the overcrowded prisons in the corporate prison industry could free a lot of folks that are in there for non-violent crimes related to drugs, and the USA could save a lot of money being wasted on bustin folks for simply trying to medicate themselves. They all need spiritual counseling from folks who believe in universal reconciliation not incarceration with violent criminals who will force them to hate to survive, and that's not to mention how the DEA legally robs folks who have nothing to do with drugs simply because they're carrying cash.   

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/05/05/gloucester-cops-addicts-ask-for-help-and-won-arrest-you/9nrZEse0deDpPqt1t1VozI/story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/11/how-the-dea-took-a-young-mans-life-savings-without-ever-charging-him-of-a-crime/

[marie glen]

   one assurance we have..and can take comfort in..is just this..   No matter what state of being a slave to sin any fellowman/brother

  is in......he/she,too....will also bear the image of the incorrupt one...and be delivered from it.

     :thumbsup: :banana:

  my daughter is bipolar and drug addict/with the lifestyle that is associated with it......and God has comforted me greatly in the salvation

Praise the Lord.. He is faithful.. always..

  of all.  So,too....all people may hope in HIM...and not reckon themselves as the 'cursed' of God.But blessed through Christ

    God has waived His judgement...through His son...and chosen to show mercy unto all men. To bind up all sin wounds of man

"God waived His judgment"!! :Gclap: :iagree: :iagree:

  and restore man into the image of HIS SON. Jesus..when on the cross..while they were in the VERY ACT of killing him.....

  prayed the Father...'Father forgive them..they know not what they do"  Following His lead..we should also have this mind in us.

   I think my heart and mind is finally settled regarding this.  As I have an inner peace about this issue,now.  And am no more

wrestling in my thoughts regarding the matter.

:goodpost: :goodpost:

[rosered]

Are you baiting   JH?
  with bated breath ,  the condition of waiting for something to happen; subdued breathing due to high emotions

No Hate      just dont like  the flesh part  of anyone , it stinks,  it reeks   , its an abomination  in the Sight of God so those that live to the flesh   are not considered      alive to  Him ..   the smell of   death is still reigning  being the kings of the earth and all


 

1 Corinthians 4 (WEB)

4 So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries.



2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you,

or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self.



4 For I know nothing against myself.

Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.



5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.


7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?


8 You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.


9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death.


For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.

11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.

12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.


13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

14 I don't write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers.

For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.


16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.


17 Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly

. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

20 For God's Kingdom is not in word, but in power.


21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?   

   Sounds like  a    choice    to me ,      unruly   children   get the rod  , correction and the obedient  ones get   a loving gentle   Spirit   
Like the Holy Spirit and fire        teaches   , corrects and comforts      , Its the Lord who judges    as we judge   for ourselves what is right

 
unless we falltrip     ourselves    into temptation   ...  weakness  and error    ,  being called sin and missing the mark   of a much higher calling   to  come up here and be with the Lord in Spirit and truth     

[rosered]

  Everything done in the right Spirit   which is  LOVE  is a beautiful thing !! :HeartThrob:

  If we don't look upon the flesh   any longer ,   but the motive  of the heart   we can see Gods glory in the earth   still , it is all a matter of perspective

[Lazarus Short]

Well...you know when Paul says that all those dirty & wicked Arsenokoite will SURELY not inherit the kindom that is to come!


"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men"

1 Corinthians 6:9

Tell me this:  Will these people fail to inherit entirely, or will they experience correction/punishment/repentance and then inherit?  If our tares/wood/hay/stubble are burned away, and our chaff carried off by the wind/spirit, we are no longer wrongdoers are we??

[sheila]

   But that is what some of you were...but we shall ALL BE CHANGED!    :banana: :banana:

   saviour of ALL..specially those who believe.

[sheila]

 Jones..no flesh will boast..not even the saints[ecclesia]  Israel failed to keep her end of the covenant...as,too, christendom...

   so that no flesh would boast and it all be a free gift of grace.

   the kingdom of heaven is like...a woman that took leavening[grace] and hid it in a bowl of 3 measures of flour until all was leavened

        this is how He does it...Israel's failure is a blessing unto the gentiles=grace extended to those despised......gentile

church/christendom failure = a blessing grace to all those sinner men she despised.......

   the saints were overcome....and He allowed this.......so that mercy be extended to all and not on works/flesh etc. to stop all

boasting of flesh..and the worship of ones hands...and to praise God for the works of His hands...

   THEY WILL KNOW ME WHEN I FORGIVE>>>>ALL THEIR SINS....

   the flesh counts for nothing....GOD'S SPIRITUAL DNA SUPERCEDES ANY FLESHLY DIVISIONS.[sword that seperates]

    sin is what He says it is.......and as we have all been bound up in disobedience..so,too, all shall be set free into the glorious

  liberty of the sons of God.

    I disagree that homosexual practices are not sin..it's a sin just like all other sexual immorality.I WON"T JUSTIFY IT[SIN}

  BUT WILL LEAVE IT IN THE HANDS OF HE WHO JUSTIFIES THE WICKED THROUGH HIS SON![that's a whole other topic]

[sheila]

 satan's been twisting/perverting the word of God a long time.  Many will follow with loose acts of conduct...and because of these

  the gospel will be spoken of abusively[and God,too]

 

   there are bigot haters that come in the name of Christ...robbers and theives that turn HIS HOUSE OF PRAYER UNTO ALL NATIONS

  INTO A DEN OF ROBBERS AND THEIVES

[jabcat]

Are you baiting   JH?
 

JH's last couple of posts have been removed and a ban is in place.  Forewarned multiple times.

[Tom]

good move

[micah7:9]

Thank you  :dsunny:

[Dandelion]

16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18"He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.... John 3:17

This is my answer to the homosexual issue. And, actually, many other issues. If Jesus did not come here to judge, and we are told not to judge, but to look at the log in our own eye, then I am more than happy to not judge. I cannot see in people's hearts.....only God can do that, and only the Creator knows how each of us began and what we are capable of.

I cannot fathom how much differently God sees judgement, than I would.

A good friend of mine often quotes Mother Teresa, as saying: "If you judge people, you don't have time to love them." Enuf said.

[jabcat]

I cannot fathom how much differently God sees judgement, than I would.

I think we understand but a tad of it.  There have been a few different posts about not judging, etc., and I've been thinking about it.

Judging in general could probably use its own thread.  The whole subject is a big one, isn't it, and difficult to understand - reconciling all the scriptures that apply and their intent as best we understand them. 

We're told to not judge, but also told to judge rightly.  We're told to love, but to also speak the truth.  The scriptures are full of instructions on righteous living and the consequences of not doing so (truth), but also how the body is to share the truth and help each other with it (love).  I'm also thinking though (and requires more thought) that sometimes love may not even look like what we think it does or how the world defines it (full acceptance, inclusion, "whatever floats your boat").  I think of Paul "shaming" the church at Corinth for their sinful behavior and putting up with it in their midst, as well as turning the one in sin over to satan for the destruction of his flesh so his spirit would be saved.  Did he not love them?   :Chinscratch:

The scriptures also say this;

I Corinthians 5:11 "But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked one from among yourselves."

I'm usually feeling around for the right balance, but for me, loving and a blanket "judge not" doesn't preclude my responsibility to attempt to know from scripture and discern what's right and wrong, and being willing to, when appropriate and LED, say so.  Never militantly, or with the intent to just criticize or injure, but always with the intent of doing what's right and helping the person.  Believe it or not, I usually just either cop out and say nothing/say something stupid, or on betters days just try to encourage or "share a helpful nugget" in person.   Tough issues, but one thing that concerns me when we discuss "ideas and ideals" online is that I believe much of the "church" is sliding over to the world's view, which is where some of my "axe grinding" comes from.  Anyway, I usually fail to one degree or another and sure need lots of help, but I believe I need to be willing to stand for and be faithful to the truth - in the right way as led, in the right spirit and attitude.   :2c: 

[Dandelion]

I'm usually feeling around for the right balance, but for me, loving and a blanket "judge not" doesn't preclude my responsibility to attempt to know from scripture and discern what's right and wrong, and being willing to, when appropriate and LED, say so.  Never militantly, or with the intent to just criticize or injure, but always with the intent of doing what's right and helping the person.  Believe it or not, I usually just either cop out and say nothing/say something stupid, or on betters days just try to encourage or "share a helpful nugget" in person.   Tough issues, but one thing that concerns me when we discuss "ideas and ideals" online is that I believe much of the "church" is sliding over to the world's view, which is where some of my "axe grinding" comes from.  Anyway, I usually fail to one degree or another and sure need lots of help, but I believe I need to be willing to stand for and be faithful to the truth - in the right way as led, in the right spirit and attitude.  Jabcat

Sorry, I don't know how to put the quotes from others on here, as the rest of you do. Please forgive me for placing it like this.

Yes, I do know what you mean. And, I agree, in a theological sense. However, I find this topic especially difficult in that respect, because I know several people well, who are homosexuals. Some, I have been very close to, and none of those I know wanted to be homosexuals; were extremely young when they demonstrated tendencies towards it and were in a position which caused them much grief, depression, and one close friend committed suicide when he was 17, over this issue. Not that I ever had homosexual tendencies, but, God, for whatever reason put them in my path. I did not know any of them were homosexuals when I first got to know them, though, I might have had some vague thoughts that it was a possibility.

They all know/knew the Gospel, as well as I did. It tore them apart, that they were homosexuals. There was nothing I could say, that they did not know, already.

So, in my own personal experiences, I left that unsaid. What I told them was that I believe the ideal God intended was for marriage to be between a man and a woman. That is pretty much where I stopped. Of course, I pray for them, and love them a lot, as they are hurting and need to know they are accepted, as a person of worth, as they are.

I did not always think this way. Raised a Catholic, in a controlling family, I was taught and encouraged to be very judgemental, by my family....not by my Catholic school, though. I am no longer a Catholic......and no longer judgemental.....as far as is humanly possible. I am a Lutheran, and their take is this.....Law and Gospel...heavy on the Gospel.

Well, this is where I am at at this point in time, with this issue.

[jabcat]

Hey Dandilion.  Thanks for clarifying.  I actually agree with that approach.  I'm not talking about being militant or hateful, just have a concern that we as the "church" still know the difference between right and wrong and light and darkness, and are willing to share that light in whatever form we're led instead of perpetuating the darkness.  I'm not the judge  :laugh2:   :wink2: but it sounds to me like you shared some truth, then loved them.  I'm guessing if they needed to talk to you further about their struggles, asked for help and guidance from the scriptures on overcoming sin and looking to Jesus for comfort and deliverance etc., you'd help them with that rather than telling them don't worry about it, their sin is OK and God doesn't care, etc., which is the path of least resistance and tickling of ears I'm afraid is being taken by so many today.  That's what saddens me corporately. 

  So that's the difference for me.  Not are we blasting people with both barrels, but do we still know the difference and are we willing to help in the "right" way, rather than accepting and placating sin.   And I agree, and it's been said over and over - but not just about active homosexual behavior.  We all sin, and some sins are what Paul called "besetting'..those that just dog us, and some more persistent and damaging than others.  And not to just pick at each other's imperfections either, because we're all clay.  But anything that's obviously spelled out as "needing dealt with" in our flesh.  I think it's a fine line, and love and encouragement to seek the Savior is a best overall approach.  As long as we know the difference, aren't just passive and accepting and encouraging of sin.  Then the Spirit can lead us into how and when to help.   :2c:

[rosered]

 
  Beautifully said James  :HeartThrob:  I also  :iagree:     speaking  the Truth in Love is warning them of the wrath to Come  in the earth   .

   We see    all matter of   sin  already rising up     as an evil upon the land ,
  Once you are warned , just as the days of the prophets  , so are the days of Gods Son  speaking    and  those whom are His by the Spirit of prophecy SAME TESTIMONY  OF MERCY  ,  till its all   worked  out  in the end  .   

[jabcat]

 :thumbsup: ty

[rosered]

 I believe we are to invite them all    , where ever they may be to the marriage supper of the Lamb  James   , and it on them if they make excuses Not to attend      :HeartThrob:



Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'"

And he said to me, "These are true words of God."

10Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do that;

I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Matthew 22:1-14 ESV    

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.

Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.

' But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, ...

Invite  everyone and all on the by ways and Highways     being the other nations  / Gentiles        till the fulness of the Gentiles comes in

[dajomaco]

We are all called in a general sense to spread the Gospel the good news.

Like the prophets of old, only a few where called to warn peoples.
I think it is only a clear calling of the Holy Spirit that sends someone out to warn.

The rest of us are called to share the good news without the (or else God will get you)