I’ll ask again: Is Paul in Heaven? I’ll hold…

as I entered Heaven’s door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven

who made me sputter and gasp–

the thieves, the liars, the sinners,

the alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade

who swiped my lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought

was rotting away in hell,

was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, “What’s the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

God must’ve made a mistake.

“And why’s everyone so quiet,

so somber - give me a clue.”

“Hush, child,” He said, “they’re all in shock.

No one thought they’d be seeing you.”

JUDGE NOT.

Then you say, and I quote: “The fact is he was CONTINUALLY (keyword) struggling with sin and THAT IS A FACT…”

No, Duh. That’s what I said. And I quote myself here: “He may have STRUGGLED with [sin]…” BTW, I meant the word “may” to mean “granted” or “did” struggle with sin. (If it came out wrong, or if you just plain didn’t read it or get it, that’s what I meant). Paul constantly struggled with sin. I meant that, I agree with that. You said the same thing. So if I don’t know what I’m talking about and you (by your own post) agreed with me, what does that say about you?

Paul STRUGGLED with sin. Who doesn’t? Was Paul some superhero who didn’t constantly struggle with sin?? Of course not. Paul was just like the rest of us; he constantly, daily struggled with sin. The key word is “struggled.” He fought it. It was spiritual warfare with the flesh(Ephesians 6:12). The difference is, many homosexuals I’ve come in contact with are openly gay and they are not “struggling” with it. They are DWELLING it it. They serve it. They’re not accountable to anyone to get out it. They don’t listen to anyone who says they’re wrong. Basically, they SERVE it, and do not STRUGGLE to get out of it.

Let me leave you with the words of Jesus: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” (Matt. 6)

Rod, it doesn’t get any plainer than this YOU CAN’T SERVE TWO MASTERS. EITHER YOU WILL HATE THE ONE AND LOVE THE OTHER OR YOU WILL HOLD TO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER. Direct quote from Jesus’ own mouth in Matthew 6.

Argue with the Bible if you want, but I would recommend avoiding unprecendented, unbacked personal attacks until you have some of Jesus’ words of your own to back up such propaganda. I know this post is more harsh than I like to write, but when someone’s this far off I can’t stand by and watch.

BTW, I’m gonna give this thread a rest for now (sigh of relief to the liberals lol) because I feel the Bible has been clearly laid out:

1. God will not tolerate sin.
2. Homosexuality is sin. (Romans 6-8)
3. God’s grace reaches to everyone. (Romans 6)
4. No man can serve both sin (homosexuality, adultery, etc.), and also serve God. (Matt. 6).
5. Although Christians don’t SERVE sin, they DO struggle with it. (”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6). Paul struggled. We struggle. We DON’T SERVE SIN.

It doesn’t get any clearer. All these principles have been plainly laid out and anyone wanting an argument will have to take it up with the inspired Word of God. Goodbye for a few.

http://swainsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/05/josh-cobb.html

Yes, I have sinned. Although I wouldn’t want every sin I ever committed to be public knowledge. However, as bad as it could be for me to be pegged a certain type of person by what I have done in my life, it would be better than to be accused of something I am not or have not done.
I have admitted lusting after women before, however, I have not sex of any sort with anyone because it is contrary to my beliefs. That is not to say that I haven’t done other things contrary to my beliefs. The Bible says that I have admitted adultery in my heart in having looked at women that way. Now, granted, I wouldn’t want to be seen as an adulterer either because the definition in usage today takes it to mean you have slept with someone who is married. However, if someone said I have been a luster of women, I would say yes I have. That still doesn’t mean I would want to buy a t-shirt and proudly proclaim that to everyone who sees me. Yet, I do not deny it and in fact am stating it on this board. (I could have very easily not shared that.)

Before you think that I think I am some paragon of virtue, think again. We are all sinners and although many of us here hasn’t done the sin of homosexuality, we have done some. The difference is that we are not saying it is okay. I could tell other sins I have done in the past, but since they are under the blood and since I shared one, I don’t see the need.

I still say it is a low blow to accuse someone of being hateful for speaking God’s truth. We are stating facts. We are not saying it in mean ways nor are we saying the homosexuals are beyond hope or grace if they repent. However, many on the opposite side love to make it personal. They cannot accept that we are speaking God’s word nor can they leave it at a debate of “I disagree with your interpretation.” They have to attack us, our motives, accuse us of being hateful, intolerant, holier than thou etc. Do you see us calling homosexuals bad names?

In fact, homosexuals often will settle for nothing less than our silence. Whoops, I take that back. They don’t even want our silence. They want us to admit that they aren’t doing anything wrong. Well, it isn’t going to happen. If you guys feel better at shooting the messenger of the message, go ahead. It won’t change the eternal truth.

What, exactly, do you think homophobia means? Why were you so concerned that people would think you were a homosexual?

Videoguy, I think you should read the ALL of Paul’s writings - not just a verse or two. Check it out and you’ll realize Paul was saying that his flesh would always carry the sinful nature that every man has inherited since the fall of Adam. The difference is he followed the law of the Lord. Paul wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t dwell in sin. He may have STRUGGLED with it, but he NEVER SERVED it - at least after he was converted.

My friend- with all the love and grace I can muster, I need to reinforce what others have already said. To call yourself “a Christian…and a gay man” is a Biblical oxymoron.

In 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Paul makes it very clear that some in the Corinthian church HAD BEEN homosexuals. But not any more. They had been washed in the blood of Christ, and their past, was past. Those who continued to practice this aberrant lifestyle, he went on to say, would “not inherit the kingdom of God”.
If you disagree with this, Paul says in verse 6 that you are “deceived”.

Now if you have been recovered by grace, but still have these tendencies yet do not act upon them, then you are like all the rest of us who are sinners saved by grace, who ALL have tendencies to many kinds of sin, that the Holy Spirit continually keeps us from. As a number have written, the temptation is NOT the sin.

But if you are telling us that you are continuing to practice this lifestyle, then you really need to hear what Paul is saying. Not only here, but in Romans 1, where he says those who practice this lifestyle “turn the truth of God into a lie…”

And for those who may yet be wondering what Jesus might have to say on this subject, Paul makes this crystal clear as well. He says “the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37)

As far as homo-sexuality goes, I think there is plenty of solid evidence stating that it is a sin, just like adultery or anything else. Being tempted by homosexuality is therefore no different than being tempted by adultery. The debate about whether someone who struggles with homosexuality can make it into heaven almost seems to have more to do with eternal security than the actual act it’s self. Will a Christian who continued to be tempted by adultery after being saved and maybe even gave in to that temptation a few times be found in heaven if he was remorseful and repentant for his sins? I see no reason that whatever your answer is to that question wouldn’t also apply to the sin of homosexuality. Will someone who accepted the gift of salvation and lives an otherwise Christian life, but spends his entire life involved in a marital affair make it into heaven? Again, your answer to that question should also apply to a homosexual.