Making Distinctions–“Gay Christian”

Theology is the art of making distinctions. Here's one that needs to be made. The church IS accepting of those who are beset by the sin of same sex attraction. There is nothing "special" about this sin over and above others. Lying, murder, and cheating are all the same as homosexual attraction.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV)

Paul's point here is not to single out certain sins as damning, but to accuse us all of these very sins! We all stand condemned in our sin, but the Apostle continues,

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, ESV)

Christians are declared righteous in the name of Jesus. That is forgiven by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death in the place of the sinner. His life given as the replacement punishment for the sinner. Forgiveness is the free gift of God given to those who trust that Jesus is their Savior. That is what it means to be a Christian. Looking to Jesus on the cross as Jesus on the cross for you! Christians live forgiven, not to continue living in sin, but to live in Christ. Christians hate sin, especially their own.

Now for the distinction. It is one of the characteristics of our culture to play fast and loose with definitions. It takes great pleasure in the application of those definitions to those who do not agree with prevailing sentiment. Terms such as "Gay Christian"; "Homosexual Christian" are such terms. In the culture they mean "Christian and Gay and proud of it." or "Christian and Homosexual and accepting of the lifestyle and all that it means." These terms are not defined as "Gay / Homosexual and hating the sin of same sex attraction that plagues them." One is the attitude of a Christian. The other is not. Our church body, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, has repeatedly affirmed the biblical position that homosexual activity is intrinsically sinful. (http://blogs.lcms.org/2004/synod-affirms-marriage-as-lifelong-one-man-one-woman-union) Just like taking for yourself the things that belong to your neighbor. Just like lying to make yourself look better in someone eyes. Just like hating your neighbor. Intrinsically sinful means sins worthy of eternal separation from God, worthy of God's righteous anger. A Christian cannot live in the position that homosexual activity is anything but sinful. A homosexual (one who is plagued by the sin of same-sex attraction) can be a Christian in the same sense that a liar is can be a Christian, a thief can be a Christian. That is hating the sin and loving the one who has saved him from the just punishment deserved for rebelling against God and his commandments.