Can homosexuals get to heaven? According to some so-called "Christians" (a frustratingly ill-used term), apparently not.
I just read an article from the New York Times about the values of Exodus International, an organization existing "to provide spiritual support for Christians who are struggling with homosexual attraction." Recently there has been some controversy surrounding statements made by the president, Mr Alan Chambers, in which he declared "that there was no cure for homosexuality and that 'reparative therapy' offered false hopes to gays and could even be harmful." Apparently for many years Exodus has operated under the idea that anyone can be cured of homosexuality through prayer and psychotherapy, and now Chambers is calling for people to be more realistic. According to the article, "he said that virtually every 'ex-gay' he has ever met still harbors homosexual cravings.... But those who fail should not be severely judged, he said, adding, 'We all struggle or fall in some way.'"
I won't go into the details of that debate (maybe another time), but I was struck by a statement made by one of the people who want Chambers to resign. From a man who is supposedly an associate professor at a US theological seminary: "My greatest concern has to do with Alan's repeated assurances to homosexually active 'gay Christians' that they will be with him in heaven..."
This brings to light quite clearly a view I've sadly heard before, that practicing homosexuals are somehow disqualified from God's grace. Let me say this as clearly as I can: this is not true, and grossly misrepresents God. The idea that ANYTHING can disqualify us from God's grace is utterly false.
If it were true, how would any of us be saved? To use a verse the conservative evangelicals love, "For all have sinned..."
The amazing beauty of the gospel is this: that ANYONE can turn to Jesus and be saved. It's not about what we've done, or (let's be honest) what we might yet do. It's about God's love. The thief on the cross turns to Jesus and says "Remember me when you come into your kingdom," and Jesus' immediate response is "Today you will be with me in paradise." This guy could have done anything. Murderer? Fraud? Terrorist? But it wouldn't have mattered. It doesn't matter because of God's love and grace. Anyone can go to heaven.
No one is disqualified, thank God. Anyone can turn to Jesus and be a part of his future kingdom.
Any other message is NOT Christianity.
I so agree. God's grace encompasses all. Jesus died for all not a few select that think they have it right. We all desperately need His grace.
ReplyDeleteUm... You refer to the thief on the cross, but what about the other thief? There were two, you know. The other hurled insults and was given no promise that he would enter into paradise as a result.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that it doesn't matter what you are, but it does matter how you continue. God does want people to change their lives, that's why he offers the means to a changed life through his spirit. That doesn't mean we can be perfect, but does mean we are slowly being renewed.
To be honest, I can't tell where you stand, but you do seem to be setting up a false dichotomy between God's love and his judgment. :/
I think we need to keep the other part of Romans in mind... 'so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.'
Sorry if this is a little random, somehow I stumbled across your blog!
~A random brother
Thanks random brother. I'm glad you stumbled across my blog, and I love for people to make comments, even if they disagree. I'm glad you cared enough to say something if you were worried. Maybe be a little slower on the judgment next time though. I've got heaps of posts on here if you wanted to check out what I believe.
ReplyDeleteI deliberately drove the grace message home strongly in this post, because I think that especially with the issue of homosexuality Christians have very often been quick on the judgment side. The truth of the gospel is exactly what I said: ANYONE can go to heaven, no matter who they are or what they've done with their life. Christians need to communicate this message much more often, because the reality is that non-Christians are often picking up the opposite message from us.