Can You Be Both Christian and Gay? What the Bible Says

General Faith
22

What we can do is pray for them, but don’t call a wrong right brother. Don’t shun the Pauline epistles.

John 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life. He who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Greek verb: μένει — present active indicative, third person singular of μένω (“to remain, abide”)
The wrath is not future only — it remains upon the one rejecting the Son.

Romans 1:18
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
Greek verb: ἀποκαλύπτεται — present passive indicative of ἀποκαλύπτω (“to be revealed”)
The wrath is actively being revealed, not merely stored up for later.

Romans 2:5
“But because of your hard and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God.”
Greek verb: θησαυρίζεις — present active indicative of θησαυρίζω (“to store up, heap up”)
Those persisting in sin are in real time accumulating wrath.

Romans 2:8–9
“But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil…”
Greek participles: τοῖς ἐξ ἐριθείας, ἀπειθοῦσι — present active participles
Active rejection of truth provokes wrath as a just recompense.

Ephesians 5:6
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Greek verb: ἔρχεται — present middle/passive indicative of ἔρχομαι (“comes, approaches”)
God’s wrath is approaching, looming, coming upon the disobedient now.

Colossians 3:6
“On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”
Greek verb: ἔρχεται — same as above, present tense
God’s wrath is not delayed indefinitely, but present-tense, incoming.

1 Thessalonians 2:16
“…so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last.”
Greek verb: ἔφθασεν — aorist active indicative of φθάνω (“to arrive, overtake”)
Wrath is not only future — it has overtaken them already.

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9
“…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven… in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel… They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction…”
Greek verb: διδόντος — present active participle of δίδωμι (“giving”)
God’s vengeance is not arbitrary, but just retribution against unbelief.

Every verb above is precise, active, and certain. God’s wrath is not a poetic metaphor. It is a present reality abiding on all who refuse the Son — not because they stumbled upon insufficient data, but because they knowingly suppress truth (Romans 1:18) and do not obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

God bless.

Johann.

23

Brother,
Very precise. Word for word. And yet how does this help you to love gay people better?

Or do you think that you should not love them because they are sinners and their sins disqualify them from being treated with love and respect?

Or do you think homosexuality is a sin greater than all other sins and this is why you should not love them, respect them, care about what happens to them?

Do you feel as though we are not called to love all people with the love Christ has shown us?

24

They’re kind. They’re warm. They smile. So what?
That’s not the measure. Jesus didn’t bleed to hand out personality tests.
Let’s stop pretending niceness is the same thing as new birth.
We see conversions, yes — praise God. We labor, we witness, we plead.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: Christ is not building community with unbelievers.
Post-resurrection, there’s no spiritual brunch with goats.
He is Lord — risen, ascended, and enthroned — and fellowship is with those who are in the light (1 John 1:6–7).

Why do so many cling to the Gospels and avoid Acts-to-Revelation?
Because once He rose, the line sharpened.
The veil tore, and so did every illusion that one could reject Him and still have peace.

And yes — the early church practiced excommunication.
They loved souls too much not to.

Scriptural Examples of Excommunication
1 Corinthians 5:2–5
“Let him who has done this be removed from among you… deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved…”
Greek: ἐξαίρεσθαι (exairesthai, present middle/passive infinitive of ἐξαίρω) — to remove, expel
This was not about personal dislike — it was about sin without repentance.
Church discipline was commanded, not suggested.

Romans 16:17
“Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
Greek: ἐκκλίνετε (ekklinete, present active imperative of ἐκκλίνω) — turn away, avoid
False doctrine wasn’t tolerated — it was excommunicated.

Titus 3:10
“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.”
Greek: παραιτοῦ (paraitou, present middle imperative of παραιτέομαι) — reject, avoid, decline fellowship
This is apostolic instruction. Not optional. Not cruel. Holy.

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14–15
“Keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness… Take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed…”
Greek: στελλεσθαι (stellesthai, present middle infinitive of στέλλω) — to withdraw, to avoid
It was done for repentance, never for vengeance — but done it was.

1 Timothy 1:20
“Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
Greek: παρέδωκα (paredōka, aorist active indicative of παραδίδωμι) — I handed over, delivered up
Paul did not tolerate blasphemy in the house of God.
He handed them over. Not with joy — but with holy fear.

Early church discipline wasn’t “mean.” It was loving.
The body is called to guard the holiness of the Name (1 Peter 1:16; 1 Cor 3:17).
And part of that is knowing this: not all who smile are saints, and not all who sit in pews are sheep.
Excommunication is not judgmentalism. It’s a line drawn by God.
We plead. We preach. But when there is no repentance — we obey.

Let the world call it harsh.
Let Christ find us faithful.

The Early Church Fathers (ECFs) and early ecclesiastical councils unequivocally condemned homosexual acts, often prescribing severe ecclesiastical penalties, including excommunication. Here are some notable examples:

:classical_building: Ecclesiastical Councils and Canon Law

  1. Council of Elvira (c. 305–306 AD)
    Canon 71 of this council decreed that individuals who engaged in homosexual acts, specifically pederasty, were to be denied communion even at the point of death, effectively excommunicating them permanently.
    freemethodistconversations.com

  2. Council of Ancyra (314 AD)
    This council addressed homosexual behavior among clergy, prescribing a penance of 15 years and barring them from communion until death, reflecting a form of excommunication.
    en.wikipedia.org

  3. Sixteenth Council of Toledo (693 AD)
    This council reaffirmed severe penalties for homosexual acts, including excommunication and physical punishments, emphasizing the gravity with which such acts were viewed.
    en.wikipedia.org
    +1
    freemethodistconversations.com
    +1

:latin_cross: Teachings of the Early Church Fathers

  1. Saint Basil the Great (329–379 AD)
    In his canonical letters, Basil equated homosexual acts with adultery, prescribing the same period of penance and exclusion from communion, indicating a form of excommunication.
    en.wikipedia.org
    +1
    reddit.com
    +1

  2. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD)
    Chrysostom vehemently condemned homosexual acts, describing them as worse than murder and deserving of severe punishment, including exclusion from the Christian community.
    en.wikipedia.org

  3. Tertullian (c. 155–c. 240 AD)
    Tertullian denounced homosexual acts as monstrosities, stating that such behaviors were to be banished from the Church entirely.
    reddit.com

  4. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD)
    Clement condemned homosexual acts as contrary to nature and worthy of severe punishment, aligning with the broader Church stance on excommunication for such behaviors.

These examples illustrate the Early Church’s consistent and severe stance against homosexual acts, often resulting in excommunication and exclusion from the Christian community.

We are called to love them and pray for them—just as the Scriptures teach—not according to shifting cultural norms or emotional pressure. This may get me labeled or criticized, but I’ll stand with what the Word says. I’m ready for whatever appeals come, but I won’t trade truth for comfort.

Johann.

25

I think I see your point, and it has crossed my mind. What should I do/act with my flaming, gay, bisexual, homosexual friends :rainbow::man_dancing:. Since my path has changed towards God, should my friendships end? Does my job begin? Maybe this should be the topic query?

26

Or maybe change the header of this topic, since it is not biblically correct? And then discuss how we should treat our homosexual friends?

Just a thought.

Johann.

27

Ah, Tillman, you’ve brought out the velvet gloves—but now it’s time for the sword. You’ve woven together half-truths with heartfelt sentiment, and while that may stir emotions, it won’t stand before the throne of biblical authority. So let’s walk this out—step by step, light against fog, truth against the tide.

Yes, all have sinned. Yes, God is patient. Yes, David blew it hard. But no, that does not mean sin gets a participation trophy. You’re confusing God’s mercy in our weakness with permission to keep walking in rebellion. And that, brother, is spiritual malpractice.

David sinned grievously—but what did he do? He repented with sackcloth and ashes. He didn’t parade his adultery around Jerusalem saying, “This is just part of who I am.” He cried out in Psalm 51: “Against You, and You only, have I sinned!” That’s not self-expression—that’s self-denial. That’s repentance.

Let’s be clear: no one is saved because they “cling to Christ” while clinging to their sin. Jesus isn’t a lifejacket you grab while refusing to get out of the boat of rebellion. Luke 6:46 slaps the sentiment clean: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Clinging to Christ means clinging to His lordship, not just His comfort.

You say, “A greater danger than sexual sin is hard-heartedness.” True—but actively embracing sin and calling it identity is hard-heartedness dressed in rainbow robes and spiritual poetry. You can’t soft-soap sin into sainthood. Romans 2 warns that those who “approve of those who practice such things” are just as condemned. That’s not Paul being harsh—that’s God being holy.

And let’s talk love. You quote 1 Corinthians 13 like it’s a Netflix banner. But biblical love doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing—it “rejoices in the truth.” (v. 6) Real love calls people out of sin, not deeper into it. Jesus loved the woman caught in adultery—but He didn’t say, “You do you.” He said, “Go and sin no more.”

And this line—“Let no man prevent any of these little ones…” Brother, Jesus said that in reference to children, not to adults building entire identities around sin and then demanding sanctuary status in the Church. You can’t twist that verse into a shield for unrepentance.

So yes, God’s grace is rich. But it’s not a blank check for rebellion. It’s a power that transforms. Grace doesn’t just pardon—it purifies. And if someone claims Christ while rejecting His Word on sexuality? That’s not faith. That’s fiction.

No one earns salvation. But no one keeps their sin and their Savior, either. Christ will not be yoked to idols, especially ones we carve in our own image and slap a “love wins” sticker on.

Repentance is not optional.

Holiness is not negotiable.

Truth is not unloving.

And if we’re not preaching that—then we’re not preaching Christ.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.

1 Like
28

Why use the descriptor “homosexual”? If someone is your friend then s/he should remain your friend. “For God so loved THE WORLD…” LGBTQ+ people are not excluded!

The Bible says (in both Testaments) to love your neighbor. That is clear direction from God.

1 Like
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@Benny
I added a couple more decriptors to be more inclusive; Santa Fe is very open minded. I call my friends by their names not labels. I am in no position to cast stones, pebbles or damnations but it is clear biblically (see posts above) that such behaviour is verbotten.
Lovingly,
SFs

30

Please keep it on topic.

If you want to discuss how to treat homosexual friends and family please start a new thread for that instead of hijacking this thread.

Further off-topic posts will be removed.

31

Start a new thread please

32

Why is the apostle “John” described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”?

Why does David say that he loved Jonathan more than any woman?

Why does John write that “God so loved the world”? (Not just heterosexuals)

There is nothing biblically wrong with two men (or two women) loving each other.

God is love! So yes, you can be both Christian and gay

33

@Johann
Thats fine, brother.
I am okay with you thinking that you are right.
That I am a sinner standing directly against God’s Word. And that this behavior of condemning others makes you Godly. Because I know God will sort it all out in the end. If not sooner.
God bless.

34

If this is in reply to my post… I have no idea what you are referring to.

I didn’t write anything suggesting that you are a sinner or that condemning people makes me or anyone else Godly.

Are you okay???

35

No brother, I want to see for myself how this is going to play out.

Thanks.

J.

36

@Tillman

Is something wrong? I simply responded to your original post by pointing out that your claim is completely unbiblical—because Scripture directly addresses your question, “Can a gay be a Christian?” Now chaos is erupting, not because I attacked anyone personally, but because I quoted what the Word of God plainly says. If that offends you, that’s not a personal issue with me—it’s a reaction to the truth of Scripture. So why the emotional appeal instead of engaging with the actual text?

J.

37

Friends

Some of our brothers here have rightly pointed out how love is a supreme expression of the nature of Jesus. We have spoken in other topics about “The Good Samaritan”, and “Loving your neighbor”. We have also addressed, at length, the various interpretations of the word “love”, and tried to see how God uses the word in the various ways in which He does. Everyone seems to accept the axiom; everyone seems comfortable using the idea of Love to bolster a point they are making. Great. We should defer to Love. No problem.

One thing I notice, as I read the various points of view is that no matter what your definition of Love is, it always carries the indicative that Love acts in the best interest of the one loved. So, the question might arise, relevant to this topic, what is a Godly expression of love toward one who engages in something God says results in death. If the terminal involvement was some other scenario, how would a loving person respond? Say someone is in a house that is on fire. Would Love endorse the situation, would love cry out to warn, would love turn away, would love run in to rescue, would love simply voice their distain for people trapped in burning buildings in public forums? Your expression of love is your business, but I can’t imagine thinking that a person’s choice to stand in a burning building is something I should accept in love. Now, many may say the topic is not similar to a burning building, and some may argue that it is. Even so, if I am trying to live faithfully and obediently to my calling, and I believe the building is burning, because The Omniscient creator told me the building is burning, can you fault me for dragging the person out as an act of love? Rescue, “dragging out”, may look different to different people, but the goal is the same; the goal is removal of the victim from the danger. Some use enticements, some use water, some use ropes, but the unloving turn and walk away (IMHO), the unloving thing to do is to yell, enjoy the fire!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11

KP

1 Like
38

Why is John called “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? Because he wasn’t afraid to stand at the foot of the Cross when the others ran. Because love in Scripture isn’t code for carnality—it’s covenantal, sacrificial, and holy. But let’s not pretend brotherhood means bedroom, or that biblical love is a rainbow-colored loophole for sexual rebellion.

David and Jonathan? That wasn’t romantic. That was loyal. That was battlefield bond, not bedroom intimacy. David had wives—plenty of them. His sin wasn’t same-sex attraction; it was adultery with Bathsheba and murder to cover it. No, David didn’t need another man in his bed—he needed God’s mercy in his heart. And he got it—through repentance, not revisionist romance.

“God so loved the world…” you say? Yes. Loved it enough to send His only Son to die for sin, not redefine it. That verse doesn’t erase moral order—it establishes it. Jesus didn’t come to bless our urges; He came to crucify the flesh (Galatians 5:24) and resurrect a new creation.

Now here’s the punchline you’re tiptoeing around: yes, love between people is beautiful. Brotherhood, sisterhood, friendship—biblical love abounds. But sexual intimacy outside God’s design of male and female in marriage is sin. Full stop. You don’t get to hide lust behind the fig leaf of “God is love.”

“God is love” isn’t a free pass. It’s a holy banner waving over a blood-soaked cross. And if your definition of love can’t pass the test of Scripture, it’s not divine—it’s deception.

So no, “being gay” and “being Christian” aren’t synonyms. They are not twin identities. Can someone with same-sex attraction come to Christ? Absolutely. Can they cling to that identity, justify the lifestyle, and call it holy? Not without mangling the Gospel.

You want love? Real love is Christ dying on a Cross to call sinners to repentance—not leaving them in their desires, but delivering them from death. Love warns. Love calls out. Love saves.

And truth without compromise is love.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.

39

KPuff, now that is a breath of Spirit-filled clarity in the fog of cultural confusion. You didn’t just light a candle—you brought the fire hose of truth and pointed it right at the heart of the matter. And brother, I’m not here to douse that fire—I’m here to throw on some Holy Ghost gasoline.

You’re exactly right: real love doesn’t decorate the burning building—it pulls people out of it. And too many today have confused kindness with cowardice, compassion with compromise, and tolerance with theological treason.

If sin leads to death—and it does (Romans 6:23)—then love doesn’t wink, shrug, or hand out marshmallows. It warns. It intercedes. It rescues. It pleads with tear-filled eyes and truth-filled words. Why? Because “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6), and if our so-called love never wounds, it probably never saves either.

We don’t get to redefine God’s warnings into affirmations just to keep people from feeling uncomfortable. That’s not love—that’s negligence dressed up in fake mercy. If someone’s identity is built on behavior that God Himself says brings judgment, how cruel would it be to affirm it as holy?

You nailed the real question: what does Godly love look like when someone’s trapped in sin? Not just the sexual kind—any kind. And the answer is in the Cross. God didn’t say, “Live your truth, I’ll cheer from heaven.” He sent His Son to die—because sin is deadly, and love demands rescue.

That’s the blueprint. That’s the template. Love sacrifices. Love speaks truth. Love stands in the flames if it must, but never calls the fire safe.

So KP, thank you. Thank you for reminding the brethren that loving someone doesn’t mean leaving them in what God is calling them out of. And that silence in the face of spiritual death is not compassion—it’s complicity.

Let’s love like our King: with nails in our hands and truth on our lips.

Stay grounded. Stay sharp. Stay in the Word.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.

40

If by definition a Christian is a follower of Christ

Then scripture is clear that giving yourself over to what is unnatural is an abomination…

Can you be a Christian and not follow. If the definition above is true, then the answer is No.

Maybe that’s why the song- I want to be a Christian in my heart.

In Ephesians …in one particular translation it says after they trusted they were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

So the question might be Have we trusted since we believed. For if we trust God to work things out obedience would follow.

Now someone can have Gender confusion and not act on their confusion. And hence have not sinned.
It’s like character, what you would do if no one is looking, is who you are.
And if you say no in your heart while you may be struggling..that is who you are.

People have been sexually molested, raped as a child, and some have sold their children over to sex slavery. And maybe some have more hormones going one way than the other.

Yes in those cases there might be confusion in identity but if we are willing to trust God would He not make away out of no way? The psalmist said He never seen the righteous forsaken, or His seed begging for bread.

Just my thoughts

41

Corlove13, your “just my thoughts” landed like a prophetic arrow dipped in grace and aimed at the heart of the matter. You didn’t just speak truth—you seasoned it with mercy. And now, let’s echo that melody with a little more thunder.

You’re absolutely right: a Christian is a follower of Christ, not just a fan of His teachings. That’s not semantics—it’s salvation. And if Christ says deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me (Luke 9:23), then we don’t get to carry our sins like souvenirs while claiming we’re on His path.

The world says, “Be true to yourself.” Jesus says, “Die to yourself.” One leads to affirmation. The other leads to transformation.

And that distinction you made? Feeling temptation versus acting on it? Pure gold. James 1:14–15 agrees: temptation isn’t sin—but when desire is conceived and gives birth to action, that’s where sin shows its face. Struggle isn’t rebellion—surrender is. And we need to stop confusing confusion with defiance.

Now, you brought up something the church rarely wants to touch: trauma, abuse, identity distortion. That matters. People have been wounded, manipulated, even violated in ways that warp their sense of who they are. But God doesn’t toss them aside—He heals what hell tried to hijack. Isaiah 61:3 says He gives beauty for ashes—not affirmation for bondage.

And here’s where you brought the hammer in love: trust leads to obedience. If we truly trust God, we’ll follow—even when it’s uphill, even when it hurts, even when every hormone and emotion screams for compromise. Because we believe He’s better. That He’s enough.

You said, “Would He not make a way out of no way?” Yes, brother. Yes, He would. And He already has. His name is Jesus. And His way isn’t easy—but it is holy.

So no, someone cannot live in willful defiance of God’s Word and call themselves a “Christian” like it’s a cultural label. But someone can be tempted, bruised, confused—and still be clinging to the Cross in faith, walking out their sanctification with trembling knees and an obedient heart.

Thank you for not backing down, not hardening up, and not watering down the truth. You brought heat and healing in the same breath.

Let’s follow Christ not just with our lips—but with our lives.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.