Can a homosexual who believes that Jesus died for our sins, still go to heaven?

First the question of homosexuality. The currently popular views of the homosexual condition claim that it is, either by nature or by nurture, the natural condition of some people. There is no Biblical basis for that claim; in fact, the word homosexual does not appear as a noun in modern English translations of the Bible:

• Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
• Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination...
• Romans 1:26-27 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
• 1Cor 6:9-10 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.
• 1Tim 1:10 ...the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine...

From a Biblical perspective, we can reasonably and confidently assert that there is no homosexual condition, only those who engage, by choice, in homosexuality. The quoted texts make it clear that God considers it sin.

Many Christians, and many churches, tend to err by singling out homosexuality for particular condemnation. Some of the passages quoted above include homosexuality in a list of numerous serious sins, but remember that to a righteous, holy, perfect God, any and all sins exclude us from entry into heaven. It is only through the righteous sacrifice of Jesus Christ that any of us can attain forgiveness for our sins, small or great as we might like to classify them.

1Cor 6:9-10 is quoted above. Verse 11 goes on to say to the Corinthians, “And such were some of you.” Some in the Corinthian church had been sexually immoral. Some had been idolaters. Some had been adulterers. Some had been thieves, or greedy, drunkards, swindlers, and yes, even those who practiced homosexuality. But Paul says, “And such were some of you.” They no longer were such despicable sinners! Paul continues, “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.” None of those sins, none of those patterns of living, was irreversible or unforgivable. We all need to look back on what we once were, in humility and with gratitude to appreciate the mercy of God in our own lives.

Yet it is important to note the process that Paul presents here. “You were washed...” The regenerative work of the Holy Spirit had purified then, removed the defilement of these pollutions. “You were sanctified...” This describes the progressive and advancing process of purifying which succeeds regeneration in the Christian. It doesn't mean that they were perfect - the whole of the epistle shows that this was far from being the case with the Corinthians. But the work was advancing, and they were in the process of sanctification. We all stumble in some way(s), but those who are truly regenerate will be grieved by their own sin, and will get up, go on with Christ, and achieve victory over their sin. “You were justified...” Your sins are pardoned, and you are accepted as righteous, and you will be treated as such based on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ and his acceptable sacrifice.

So the answer to the paraphrased question, “Can one who has engaged in homosexuality, who believes that Jesus died for our sins, go to heaven?” is YES.

The answer is yes for the one who demonstrates that the process of regeneration, sanctification, and justification is happening in his life. Believing that Jesus died for our sins recognizes a truth, but that truth must be transforming our lives.

Prov 30:12 There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV 9 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, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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.


Submitted by: Larry Alm