Christians, some things about homosexuality...?

Question

What does this passage mean?

Romans 1:26-27; For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

If it means what is very obviously states it means, then I have another question....

Would it be fair to say there is a difference between sinning, and living in sin? For instance, someone looks at a man with lust, thinking he is better then her husband, and wanting him. She finds herself doing this, and repents to God. Versus, a women finding a man, and cheating on her husband physically. Every week meeting the man for years.

Living in sin V. Sinning... Is there a difference?

Is it then fair to say that, if you are living in sin, you are not repentant? Because if you were, would you not then stop the sin you are living in? Repenting means to be sorry and give it up. How then can a sinner be saved from the sin of homosexuality while still commiting it? They would have to be sorry for it, know it was wrong, and be repentant and willing to give it up. If not, then they cant be saved according to the bible, right?

Answer 1

I'd say you have a very good insight into a distinction that alot of Christians never understand in a life time. You are exactly correct. Good question.

Answer 2

Sin is Sin.
In God's eyes one sin is just as bad as another.
Repentance is asking to be forgiven and turning away from the sinful act. Sometimes there is a failure in abstaining from that act. When this happens another act of repentance is required. In time with determination and God's assistance the habit (for lack of a better word right now) of doing the act can be overcome.
Some call this process Sanctification.

Answer 3

Living in sin would have to be practicing sin. Lots of sinners out there, only 1% are homosexual, so most sinners are straight. "he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin" we find life by denying our flesh, putting it to death on the cross. Still we all struggle to some degree with our flesh, while others give in to it wholeheartedly; practicing sin.
As to who can be saved? The thief on the cross was. Only God can definitively state who is going to hell. He is merciful beyond belief but He is not a blind Santa Claus.

Answer 4

Basically Sin is Sin. You can continue or you can stop, with the help of God.

These verses are not just for the homosexual but they are for everyone.

[18-32] In this passage Paul uses themes and rhetoric common in Jewish-Hellenistic mission proclamation (cf Wisdom 13:1-14:31) to indict especially the non-Jewish world. The close association of idolatry and immorality is basic, but the generalization needs in all fairness to be balanced against the fact that non-Jewish Christian society on many levels displayed moral attitudes and performance whose quality would challenge much of contemporary Christian culture. Romans themselves expressed abhorrence over devotion accorded to animals in Egypt. Paul's main point is that the wrath of God does not await the end of the world but goes into action at each present moment in humanity's history when misdirected piety serves as a facade for self-interest.

[24] In order to expose the depth of humanity's rebellion against the Creator, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts. Instead of curbing people's evil interests, God abandoned them to self-indulgence, thereby removing the facade of apparent conformity to the divine will. Subsequently Paul will show that the Mosaic law produces the same effect; cf Romans 5:20; 7:13-24. The divine judgment expressed here is related to the theme of hardness of heart described in Romans 9:17-18.

Answer 5

Living in sin is actually living in it. That person has no desire in their heart to want different. They want to stay the way they are. Repenting is actually trying to live sin free and having the desire to do so. But no one knows a person heart within. God only knows so I leave this issue up to him. It keeps me from being judgmental. No one never knows where a person's heart is at, they could actually be in the process of repenting.

Answer 6

You are asking some very deep questions.

When a person purposely commits a sin, they are 'living in sin', because they knowingly did something; which broke Yahweh's Law. As for the illustration you used, they are both wrong and in the Word of Yahweh called 'adultery'.

We are told this by Yeshua (Christ Jesus); "if you look onto a woman with lust, you have already commited adultary with her in your heart."

Answer 7

A person could become saved, still fall into homosexuality, be convicted by the Spirit and all the while be seeking to break free from it. So technically, he could be saved and be a homosexual -- not as a life style, but as in struggling against his sin which sometimes can get the best of him.

Answer 8

Sin is sin no matter what,and yes a person has to stop sinning to be forgiven. If you think lustful thoughts you sin,and if you act on your lust it is sin.That is really so hopeful because you stop sinning and really mean it with your whole heart and soul we can be forgiven.

Answer 9

yes, it means what it obviously states.

living in sin IS something that can cause you to go to hell because there is no repentance or desire to change...some sins ARE more severe than others. some can cause you to go to hell (mortal sins), others in and of themselves cannot..(venial sins).

living in homosexuality would be a serious sin, something like..cheating on a test or telling a lie... would be venial..something you should repent of and try not to do in the future..but not something that can in and of itself send you to hell.

living in sin is a serious offense against God and is very avoidable....sinning..is something we all do as humans and is impossible to avoid since we are all imperfect.

anyway i think you pretty much answered your own question...your right about all that.

Answer 10

Yes it is true that both the Old and New Testaments are pretty clear in their condemnation of homosexuality.

However, remember that these same books ALSO condemn wearing red, mixing meat and dairy, and leaving baby boys' bodies unmutilated. And both books CONDONE slavery.

So the key is . . . what do you care what the Bible says about homosexuality?