Question for everyone regarding the Bible?

Question

I'm an agnostic not wanting to change anyones religion.

What does the St. Paul mean in this passage:

6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.

Galatians 2:6 (New King James Version)

So my question is, if God shows favoritism to no man; assumeing he means men and women; how does this reconcile with his 1 Corinthians 6:9 where St. Paul teaches the following:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (NKJV)

So, to everyone, How is it that God doesn't show favoritism, but unrighteous people, including homosexuals, won't get into heaven?

Isn't that, interesting, what are your thoughts on this, if God doesn't allow homosexuals into heaven is God playing favorites with heterosexuals

Answer 1

look! It's like this ok: Issacc Newton hated catholics, but we generally forgive him his shortcomings.

Paul said some off stuff, and he also said some good stuff. Just look for the good ok?

Answer 2

First...God is God and gets to do whatever He pleases. We don't get to choose who He shows mercy to...

Second, you are asking a spiritual question from the flesh, it may not matter what answer we give you...you either will disagree or not understand it...I'm not being rude, God is a spirit and we worship Him in spirit.

Now for your questions...in Gal. 2:6 (Paul wasn't a Saint when he wrote this, so he's know as Paul). He was telling us that sinners won't inherit the earth. Doesn't matter what your sin, if you sin and are a sinner (not a new creation or creature in Christ) then you will not inherit the earth. It's that simple.

You are right, God does show favoritism. If you worship and serve Him, you are HIS favorite. It's that simple.

If you live the homosexual lifestyle then you are sinning. Just because you are attracted to someone of the same sex, doesn't mean you have to act on it. It's called self-control. It's a choice.

God hates the sin not the sinner. So, you must repent of your sins and stop sinning. Again, it's that simple.

The only souls getting into Heaven...are born again Christians.

We hope you will join us!

May you find the Grace of the Living God and His Son Jesus...

Answer 3

First, remember the Bible was written by man, so it's the opinion of all those different men. For the record I am Catholic and my religion does believe in the Bible, but personally I don't think God discriminates against homosexuals or other "unrighteous" people. That first passage could pertain to the earthly life of a person; God does not show favoritism to anyone on Earth, but as shown in Corinthians He does discriminate in Heaven. The Church is its own enemy in this respect; they say God made everyone and has a plan for their life, but to be homosexual is against the Church and God. Frankly I don't listen to exactly what the Church says anymore.

Answer 4

I'm no Christian, but this seems straightforward to me. Asking eveyone to pay the price of admission is not favoritism to people with money. Even from an Eastern religious perspectve, there are some acts that make the nervous system coarse and therefor keep one from experienceing more sublime states of awareness (the kingdom of heaven is within). To tell people who want to develop these states to avoid such acts could be nothing more than someone who's been through it telling the others how to get there. All religious ethical injunctions may simply boil down to "if you want to experience the divine aspect of reality, this tends works, this doesn't." It may also be that the closer you get to such a goal, the more you naturally act in ways others would call ethical. This seems to be the nature of things according to most teachings. Even the Ten Commandments can be seen as guide posts to show you how far along you are (in english they are in future tense). So telling people how to do something is not favoritism to those who actually decide to do it, unless you create some knowing they will not listen. This last point is one of my problems with the theistic perspective.

Answer 5

It goes back Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Those who do not confess and repent will not receive His forgiveness.
I prefer NIV so, I Corinthians 6:9 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders." It does not focus solely on homosexuals. These are all people who have gone against various commands of God. Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments." 14 "You shall not commit adultery." The people listed above have broken commandments.
God does NOT have favorites. He is a just God. There are heterosexuals that will end up not getting into heaven (it's not my place to say, but we know from the Bible that there are people in Hell) as well as homosexuals. And people of many other categories you may put them into. It all has to do with justice. Not favorites.
And finally--to God, a sin is a sin. Our society has created different levels for sin. We don't mind lying, but murder is an awful thing. But to God, sins are equally bad. We must all repent.

Answer 6

He doesn't show favoritism in regards to what position a person holds in society. So there is no difference to Him between a king and a pauper.
So this is not a contradiction to what is stated in 1 Cor. 6:9.

Answer 7

God does not show favoritism.If you accept Him as Father Son and Holy Ghost He will do all He promisedEven homsexuals,when repenting can enter the kingdom of heaven. But no man can enter withouy washing away their sins in the blood of the L:amb. It all revolves around accepting Jesus as your saviour then all get the same thing. If you do not theen all who choose not to get the same.

Answer 8

Who is righteous? I'm not.. I have committed terrible sins. According to my faith If I hold anger for anyone I am a murder. If I look at someone else's property in envy I am a thief. If I look at a woman in lust I am an adulterer.. This is serious evil. That makes me a serious evil doer. I do my best not to live in sin like this and when I see it in myself I repent and give the sin to Christ. The main problem I see with homosexuality is that those involved LIVE in it. It's open rebellion not like a sin I fall into and repent of but absolute oblivion to the fact that it's sin at all....Jim

Answer 9

God's love, forgiveness, and salvation is open to all who will ask for it, including homosexuals, etc. He's not a respecter of persons. He wants all to come to Him and that none should perish. Paul states that those who are practicing those things you listed will not inherit the kingdom of God. If they are doing these things, then they are not His, repentant, & forgiven.

Answer 10

Paul is saying that God doesn't respect people just because of their "position". In other words, He won't look favorably upon the rich and be mean to the poor. Or, He won't bless those who are circumcised and condemn those who aren't. It's context has nothing to do with heaven/hell. Read the verses around it and you'll see.

Answer 11

the bible was written by man's hand. There are so many condescending passages and "truths". It is sad how people feel the need to believe everything that is written therein without keeping in mind that our entire society has changed. Even mere words now hold different meanings. How will we ever truly know what was meant by the "scriptures".