Someone asks, "Can a homosexual be saved?" The answer is a simple YES. Jesus points out in Matthew 12:31-32, that only the sin against the Holy Spirit "shall not be forgiven neither in this world, nor in the world to come." however, if we ask, "Can a practicing homosexual be saved?" - We have a completely different answer.
In order to have a common point of reference concerning salvation and being saved, let us remind ourselves of three basic facts Paul points our in Romans 1:16-18.
1. The Gospel (i.e. the Christian religion) is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes. Verse 16
2. The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel. Verse 17
3. The need for the Gospel is because: the wrath of God is revealed from heaven (in the Gospel) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
In other words, God "hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).
In the first century A.D., Corinth was considered one of the most licentious cities in the entire Roman empire. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, deals with the same problems we seem to be struggling with today. First of all he asks, what we too should know, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" Paul then enumerates a list of sins that were common then and prevalent today, such as: fornication, idolatry, adultery, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind, [Living Bible = homosexuals] thieving, covetous, drunkenness, reviling, and extortion. Lastly, Paul points out, "And such were some of you:" Thus, we have Christians who had been practicing fornicators, homosexuals, and alcoholics.
However, upon hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17), they believed that Jesus was the risen Christ (Mark 16:15-16). Furthermore, they had repented of their sins (Acts 2:38) and confessed Jesus as their Lord (Romans 10:9-10). Finally they were baptized into Christ for the remission of their sins (Acts 22:16) and were added to those called out of the world to be Christians (Acts 2:47). In the words of Paul to the penitents, "but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).
Dale Royal
Elk City, OK
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
"Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind," "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
