Is homosexuality really a sin..

[KingJ]

That this is sin there is no question. I leave the judgement to God however and I trust only in His Spirit to keep me from sin's grip and effects. The larger question that is more under our control and responsibility is how we treat homosexuals themselves. We are responsible for this conduct.

I am compelled by good sense to follow Jesus's example, He did not condemn, He did not seek out for discrimination or ridicule, He did not subject to shame and this was not because none were known by Him for He Knows ALL Hearts it is because such expressions were not found in His Spirit. So when Christians display sentiments like the above in who's spirit are they abiding since it could not be Jesus's Spirit?

According to Paul in 1 Cor 5, we are to treat Christians and non Christians in such gross sin differently.

Christians, we must not even eat at the same table 1 Cor 5:11.

 

[hopefulson]

I think you are mistaken as to what I have written. Even Paul is not resorting to condemnation or ridicule even though he as an apostle has authority and a right to do so if so lead by The Spirit. Paul's word has to do with the protection and integrity of the church body itself. The personal conduct towards unbelievers is plainly stated as different. Are unbelievers more blessed than professing believers of course not they are simply less responsible by reason of ignorance, however I would submit as entirely not only possible but all but certain that those in such sin no matter what they profess are not believers at all. The point is the threat to the body of the church that as an issue requires firm defense but never ever outside of The Spirit which would produce sin of it's own within the body. This though unstated by Paul is taken as a given by believers who walk in The Spirit. There is nothing in conflict here except with your point of focus.

 

[Brad Huber]

Sin is sin is sin is sin is sin is sin. It is all wrong and needs grace, the main problem with homosexuality, is with its stance that you must accept it as okay, not as sin. Most sins even in christians comes with shame that we know its wrong but feel too weak to stand against it. Whereas with homosexuality, most of them want their sin to be accepted as okay, so that they dont have to feel any shame.

 

[KingJ]

Sin is sin is sin is sin is sin is sin.

Brad, I would agree with this only in that all sin leads to death. But we can't place a full-stop there. Sin does have degrees to consider. We know this as many sins God ordained the death penalty for in the OT. Even Paul in 1 Cor 5:1 starts off the chapter speaking to a sin that ''is not even named among the pagans''. Paul also tells us with crystal clarity to judge and discern all matters better then the unsaved in 1 Cor 6:1-9. Have you ever heard of the unsaved sentencing someone who thought about adultery to life imprisonment with a murderer?

 

[KingJ]

I think you are mistaken as to what I have written. Even Paul is not resorting to condemnation or ridicule even though he as an apostle has authority and a right to do so if so lead by The Spirit.

Paul says in 1 Cor 5 that such a person be removed from fellowship. Removed from church attendance until they repent. Most, perhaps 99% of people today would interpret that as a condemnation of sort I would think.

Paul's word has to do with the protection and integrity of the church body itself.

Agreed

The personal conduct towards unbelievers is plainly stated as different.

Agreed

Are unbelievers more blessed than professing believers of course not they are simply less responsible by reason of ignorance,

Agreed

However I would submit as entirely not only possible but all but certain that those in such sin no matter what they profess are not believers at all.

I would only agree if the sin is a mortal sin. Paul after his conversion never returned to murdering Christians. But he did continue to battle with sin.

The point is the threat to the body of the church that as an issue requires firm defense but never ever outside of The Spirit which would produce sin of it's own within the body. .

I am not certain what you mean, could you clarify please.

This though unstated by Paul is taken as a given by believers who walk in The Spirit. There is nothing in conflict here except with your point of focus

I am not certain what you mean, could you clarify please.

 

[hopefulson]

This is a hard point to convey if you have not come to the measure within yourself prior to now but here goes.

You can draw a hard stern and finely drawn line and make a stand the substance and the standard of the old testament will uphold you and I would even add this caveat
The Lord Says (I Change Not ) but this is not Life it is Law.

Now we go to Mathew 5 and Jesus in Red Letters, The Author of The Truth and The Creator and Redemption of All Reality ( Slain From The Foundation of The World ) is speaking and the line disappears. It is not because it is gone but because it is lost in an obscurity cause by The Depth of The Meaning that Jesus assigns to the Law. I can reference that Jesus has not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it but it is even more, here is the substance of The Kingdom Itself.

Why is sin sin? It is not simple Law. Jesus in His nature and words demonstrates that the offenses are eternal in nature. Sin is sin because they are acts, circumstances and attitudes that offend Love in It's Purist form. Remember God Is Love. Consider this ( every unfounded word will be judged ) or this question do you Love Love itself that concept followed would guide the course of your heart.

If you resort to discretion you fall into the trap of The Garden, reliance on the knowledge of good and evil and then nakedness and shame arrives as you hold it next to The Truth of The Person of Jesus Christ. It is not how big, how determined in our stand we are for achievement of holiness. The real issue is how Small we become and how Hi we raise The Lord Jesus Christ and the depth of our seeking within ourselves for that is where The Kingdom is Found for it is within you. Remember in being harmless we will win our souls.

It is difficult to convey yet it is only the simple gospel Jesus Slain for our salvation in the face of the most refined and eternally deep judgement.