First if God has no beginning and no end, why do we call Him the Alpha and the Omega?
What should our advise be to a person who is gay? I've heard many gay people say that they have prayed for God to change them, they've tried to live life as a heterosexual person, they've sought counseling and nothing has changed the way they feel. What is a person supposed to do if they have done what the Bible says to do and they still have homosexual feelings? Would God send someone to Hell if they have done everything in their power to change and if they have asked God to change them? I'm not gay but my feelings about gay people have changed a lot over the years. If someone came to me as a Christian and asked what they should do in that particular situation, I wouldn't know what to tell them. I would appreciate if some could help me understand.
2006-12-26 03:58:03 · 28 answers · asked by Cori 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh brother. What about my first question?
2006-12-26 04:04:35 · update #1
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of this world. But He is everlasting. He is also the "Author and Finisher of our faith."
They "...have not resisted unto (the drawing of) blood, striving against sin."(Heb 12:4) Jesus said, cut off your hand or poke your eye out, rather than keeping them you should continue in sin and go into everlasting hell. (Matt 5:29-30) In other words, they are responsible for their actions before God, no matter what. Just because it is difficult is no reason to quit and say, "I just can't do it." There are many, many people who have struggled with the desires of their flesh their entire lives, and won in the end even though they fell many times and had to ask God to wash them so that they could get up go after what is right again. This is what God expects, it is what He requires.
Also, God gives grace (His empowerment) to people that are willing to obey what He has commanded. What is impossible with man becomes possible with God. This is how God is glorified on earth, when people obey Him and then do the otherwise impossible.
2006-12-26 04:05:13 · answer #1 · answered by firebyknight 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
1) alpha and omega means he is the first and the last. It's another way of saying forever. First - before all creation, last - after all creation.
2) I have thought much about the homosexual vs. bible question myself. I have almost believed that there is nothing wrong with acting homsexual. I've learned that the first and most important thing to do is to love a person no matter what sin they commit. Many people believe that if you think homosexuality is a sin then you hate homosexuals. This is ridiculous because then a christian would have to hate everyone including themselves. We all sin, homosexuality is just one of many. Have you ever heard of alchohalics, drug users, or porn addicts say they have prayed to God to remove their urge from them and it didn't work? If it didn't work does that mean they should live as alchohalics, drug addicts, or porn addicts.? I would say no, so this excuse by someone acting in a homosexual lifestyle isn't very strong. I don't know who will and won't be sent to hell because I'm not God and can't read their hearts. I believe God is merciful and just. I read the holy bible and believe it is the word of God. In conclusion I believe homosexuality is a sin just like having lustful thoughts or lying is a sin. They are all sins. We should pray for our friends and ourselves struggling with sin, and most importantly we must show love.
believe
2006-12-26 12:15:15 · answer #2 · answered by waiting4u2believe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The supposed "Christians" out there dont know how to read the Bible, or have never read the Bible, they just rely on what others tell them.
IF they had actually read the Bible, they would have found out two things:
(1) Jesus died for all our sins, past and present - no sin can be commited by anyone that will bar their way into heaven, because all of their sins have already been forgiven.
(2) Jesus preached that the one way into heaven is to LOVE EVERYONE - that's it - that's all.
(3) Jesus gave a guide that explains how to find man's words written into his words and God's words. Anything written that contains hate or hatred or discriminates or puts down any other person for any reason, or calls for their ostrication or death, is not his or God's word, but rather the word of man and should NOT be taken as his or God's word. Which means - ignore all those passages in the Bible about homosexuality - Jesus and God never said them.
Quite frankly, based on the qualifications to get into heaven, I truly believe that the only people in heaven right now are the gay people and prostitutes...
2006-12-26 12:05:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The idea that God is both "the Alpha and the Omega", the beginning and the end means that he is both ALL beginnings and ALL endings, encompassing both and, therefore, greater than both.
As to your question about homosexuals, I am not one either, but I have known many and they have all been or are good people. There really isn't anything in the bible about homosexuality..at least not in the new testament and certainly not in the teachings of Jesus, who preached tolerance and acceptance of all people. I don't personally think that God is so 'little' as to worry about a person's sexual preferance as long as they lived good lives and did not force themselves on others. I really think that how you live your life is the most important, not how you celebrate your sexuality...
If a homosexual is good, kind, loving, generous, forgiving, accepting, etc., than I do not think that he or she has any reason to fear the Afterlife...
2006-12-26 12:09:10 · answer #4 · answered by harpertara 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the beginning and the end. Like saying Jesus is A to Z.
About homosexuals - to give the benefit of a doubt to the scenario you articulately wrote about above - I think you have to say that if you are in Christ you cannot continue that lifestyle, and your heart and mind will be empowered not to. I gave up a partying lifestyle and alot of secular indulgences when I found the Lord but a spirit-filled person knows the harm of defying God and continuing in those things - be it the adulterer (gay or straight), the drinker, gambler, liar, etc.
God disciplines those he loves.
Is their salvation lost? No. But it is a matter of faith and the heart to live for Christ, and that is what we are called to do without compromise.
2006-12-26 12:06:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a lot we don't know or understand. God uses symbols and things we do understand to try and teach us a little about His nature. Just because the similarities end when looked at it more carefully, doesn't mean it wasn't useful to many.
Further, regarding your question on Homosexuality, I would argue the same thing, that there is a lot we don't understand. A person should have faith in God and do the best he or she can with what they have. All of us make mistakes, but to abandon God completely isn't appropriate, no matter what your trial or struggle in life is. Some of our trials will be healed in this life, others will not. God doesn't ask us to be perfect today, He asks us to strive for perfection. Just do the best you can.
2006-12-26 12:04:56 · answer #6 · answered by AT 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are accountable for our actions - whether it is homosexuality, stealing, lying, adultery, anything - we have free choice and to say that we can't change or that we don't know how, honestly is not truly trying or placing the blame on someone or something else. It may not be socially acceptable but it is true. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is COMMON to man - and God is faithful, he WILL NOT let you be tempted byond what you can bear, but when you ARE tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. It's our choice to act on temptation, whatever it may be. God disciplines the ones he loves.
2006-12-26 12:08:49 · answer #7 · answered by maguainc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is important to understand the context. In Judaism, male homosexuality was strongly condemned because ancient Israel was small and surrounded by enemies. Male homosexuals were wasting their seed. In contrast, lesbianism was not condemned because at the time, a woman's survival was dependent upon an alliance with a man, and it was assumed she'd still be part of the breeding population even if she had a female lover. It was only in the NT, based on the OPINIONS of Paul, that both male and female homosexuality were condemned.
I'd ask Christians: If God is anti-gay, why did he make people that way? It even happens in nature!
2006-12-26 12:05:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
One cannot change from being gay to straight, that is not what Christians are against. What they don't like is the sin of homosexuality, the sexual practice. While you may think it's unfair to be against what goes on in the bedroom, that is the sin.
THink of it this way, do you remember those "Amish shootings? They forgave the shooter, but that doesn't mean they condone the act of murder. That is being a true Christian. Forgive the sinner, but you can hate the sin.
2006-12-26 12:04:23 · answer #9 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gay people cannot change. Advise them not to try. An enormous body of evidence has been provided to us by virtually every psychological authority on the planet attesting to this fact. This same collection of experts have been telling us for the better part or 4 decades and in no uncertain terms that homosexuality is normal, natural, healthy and inate (unchangable).
In addition, the Bible doesn't actually say what most people think it does. Consider the following:
The passages in Leviticus (18:22 and 20:13), understood IN THE CONTEXT of the time and place, are not an admonishment against loving sexual relationships between people of the same sex but instead against sex as a form of domination and control. Besides, these passages are part of the Holiness Code which is not binding to modern day Christians (or anyone else for that matter).
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah was a warning against rape, inhospitality and xenophobia. The reason for Sodom's destruction is made clear in Ezekiel 16:48-50. According to Ezekiel, the sins of Sodom were pride, laziness, being inhospitable, neglecting the needs of the poor, greed, and idolatry (the worshiping of idols). Nothing about homosexuality is mentioned. If Jude 1:7 describes anything about the sexual immorality and perversion in Sodom and Gomorrah, it's describing RAPE.
1 Corinthians 6:9 was a mistranslation of the word "malakee". It's used elsewhere in the Bible to mean someone who lacks discipline or one who is morally weak, and never is it used in reference to sexuality or gender.
1 Timothy 1:9-10? Also a mistranslation. 1 Timothy was an admonishment against male prostitution, not committed, loving same sex relationships.
The words "physin" and "paraphysin" in Romans 1:26-27 have also been mistranslated. Contrary to popular belief, the word "paraphysin" does not mean "to go against the laws of nature", but rather implies action which is uncharacteristic for that particular person. An example of the word "paraphysin" is used in Romans 11:24, where God acts in an uncharacteristic (paraphysin) way to accept the Gentiles. When the scripture is understood correctly, it implies that it would be unnatural for heterosexuals to live as homosexuals and for homosexuals to live as heterosexuals.
2006-12-26 12:01:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋