Hopefully by engaging with this site and having fruitful discussions with people my spiritual status can be more clarified. It sounds like you want me to come to a conclusion before I,ve discussed things. I usually like to think and discuss first and then reach decisions. I,m asking God to guide me. Homosexuality is a case in point. I,ve just read Justin Lee's book "Torn" in which he talks of his struggles with his faith and sexuality. He interprets Romans 1 in a very different way; for instance he was not involved with idol worship, but genuinely loves Jesus. So why would God give him over to being gay? Anyway, perhaps this is not the thread to get into all of that. My point is: would you now say that his relationship with God is invalid, or that he is no longer a christian because of his interpretation?
It appeared as if you had given much thought to your situation, but were not willing to make a decision, and or accept the truth of Scripture......but, that may just be me.
I do not know this person you are speaking of, or the Book he wrote. As for the 1st Chapter of Romans, and folks who seek a different interpretation from what it says in pretty much plain speak, that is not uncommon. It happens quite often. When someone finds something in Scripture that speaks against what they are doing/how they are living, or what they think/believe, they start to look for a "different interpretation" that justifies their thoughts/actions.
As for this persons standing with God, IF he continues to live a homosexual lifestyle, then, yes, he is "apart" from God. No one can live in sin and be in good standing with God. Lots of people wish they could, some believe they can, and some actually pretend to, but it is not Truth.
It's not just homosexuality either. Adulterers, drunkards, liars, thief's, abusers, and anyone else who is living a life against God is living "apart" from God.
God does not want them to live that way, or continue to live a life that rejects Him. It is their choice to do so, not His, so do not let us get into the "blame God" game, ok? God doesn't reject us, we reject Him, and if we do so long enough, He will finally allow us to do as we wish, and that, my friend, is when we are lost for eternity.
All believers have a "thorn in their flesh" just as the Apostle Paul did. We all have some thing in our lives that we have to overcome in order to live a Christ like life. As I stated before, having homosexual desires will not keep one from God, giving in to those desires, and pleasing the flesh rather than overcoming those desires and pleasing God WILL!
You could substitute any of several sinful lifestyles for "homosexual" and the statement would remain the same. An alcoholic struggles with their "thorn," as does the liar, thief, adulterer, abuser, drug addict, whatever.........
IF it requires one to abstain from any fleshly pleasures to live for God, then that is what one must do. And that is true for all of the things I spoke of. Throughout the Scriptures, we are told to seek God first and to deny the desires of the flesh.
I don't care what any other person says, one CAN NOT live a life of sin, against God and His Word, and still inherit eternal life. If that were true, then the entire Word of God, and the Gospel of Christ is a lie. My belief, take it for what you will.
As for your "status," when I said to make a decision there first. I meant decide IF you want to be a disciple of Christ. Do you want to invite Christ into your life, to be Savior, and Lord of your life? Do you want to have His precious blood cleanse you of all your sins? Maybe your struggle is that you are trying to do all this on your own, rather than turning to God and allowing Him to take over and do it all for you? I don't know any human being who defeated the devil by themselves. Not even the angles could do this. They all needed God to win the battle.
Make a decision to kneel down anywhere, and with a sincere and contrite heart, repent, confess your sins, and ask Christ to come into your heart to be Lord and Savior, and then LET HIM TAKE OVER THE BATTLES YOU FACE. A wise man once said: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" That is Truth!
Do not try to make Scripture fit your desires, make your desires fit Scripture. Meaning set aside your fleshly/earthly desires, and seek God and His desires for you.
I hope the best for you and will be praying for you, and none of this is said in anger or any such thing. I say all of this with a sincere desire that you choose to serve God, and to deny the desires of your flesh, just as any other person must do in order to live a Christ like life as a child of the Living God.............
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