By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.)
The simple answer is: Of Course! The Gospel is for sinners (and also for the saved). I think it is an imbalanced perspective which takes a particular sin (Homosexuality) and elevates it beyond all other sins. While it is true that the Bible does teach that some sins are worse than others, the Bible also teaches in a general sense that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). All sin deserves just punishment, and because “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), all deserve just punishment; this includes the homosexual, the thief, the idolator, etc.
It is important to recognize that when someone is saved it is only through a divine miracle done through the Holy Spirit which brings about spiritual birth; he removes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh and makes us willing to respond positively to the gospel when presented. Since salvation is a work of God, what seems impossible for man is not impossible for God. Just as God can save a person mixed up in a gang, or a person addicted to drugs, or a even a murderer, God can also save a homosexual and he can set them free from their sin just as he sets free all sinners saved by his grace. This does not mean it is always easy, nor does it mean that God removes all the obstacles and struggles immediately. Often times our struggles remain and as believers in Christ we are driven all the more closer to our Lord who saved us and loves us.
While struggling with homosexuality is something I personally have no first-hand experience with, I think I am still in a position to say that even with such struggles, Christians serve a God who is able. Indeed, the scripture clearly answers our initial question: Can a homosexual be saved?
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10)
But continue reading in verse 11: “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Notice Paul’s use of the past tense: Such WERE some of you…But you WERE washed, sanctified, justified, etc. Paul was declaring that some in the Corinthian church were guilty of various sins one of which included homosexuality, yet, they were delivered and saved from that life.
Now those who may be reading this (homosexual or not) may be offended at the fact that I am speaking of homosexuality as a sin. But that is what the Bible calls it, and for the sake of truth I will not change what the Bible says to please people. If God calls something a sin, it is a sin. Even more than being concerned with offending people, I am more concerned of offending God in calling what he calls sin “not a sin”. That being said, I am not claiming to have all of the answers to all of the difficult “what about scenarios.” I am sure folks can come up with all sorts of questions. What I desire to do is call sinners to repentance; and that means all sinners, whether it be folks living the homosexual lifestyle, folks addicted pornography, thieves, murders, liars, etc. We all need salvation, and what I can do is not answer all of your questions, but point you to the one whom you will find to be a perfect savior.
The message of love that the Bible teaches is not one of ignoring what God calls sin, but rather speaking the truth in love commanding all men to repent and come to the knowledge of the one who said of himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
So, can homosexuals be saved? Of course, Christ is the ultimate savior who lavishes us with grace and mercy and is able to deliver you from all sins clothing one with the very righteousness of Christ by his grace through faith.
