What would you think if I told you I was an adulterous Christian? A fornicating Christian? What about I’m a covetous Christian or I’m a hateful, bitter Christian. Ooh, I know, I’m a murdering Christian. I think we all understand that it’s pretty much an oxymoron. One cannot be a murderer and be a Christian. One could have been a murderer (wasn’t Saul?), but one cannot still be willfully committing those sins and call themselves a Christian. Here’s what Paul said about it to the Corinthians:

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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, that’s not an all-inclusive list, which is why Paul says “and the like” in Galatians 5:19-21 when he gives a comparable list. Still, he clearly states that these types of individuals — the ones still practicing such things — will not go to heaven, or as Paul says, “inherit the kingdom of God”.

Why is it, then, that people say, “I’m a gay Christian.” Does not that terminology fall under the same umbrella as the terms we started this post off with? I chose to start with others because I didn’t want to target anyone. Instead, I wanted to point out that anyone who is involved in any sin mentioned in lists like the one above cannot call themselves a faithful Christian.

The good news about the Bible is that it’s just that: good news. Here’s the way Paul continued the verses above:

 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

These Corinthians had been fornicators. They had been idolators. And yes, shocking I know, they had been homosexuals. But what does the text say? Such were some of you. Are those people walking around Corinth saying, “Now I’m a gay Christian!” Hardly! They had been homosexuals, sure. But now they aren’t practicing such things. Could they have still been tempted with same-sex attraction? I’m sure. Did that make them gay Christians? No, because they weren’t acting on it and because there’s no such thing. You are either a practicing sinner, or you’re walking in the light and covered by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7-10).

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 is a powerful section of Scripture because yes, it tells us what types of things we shouldn’t do, but it also tells us the power of Jesus. Jesus can take what the world deems to be the worst of the worst and turn them into justified, sanctified, washed people. We know that the Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23), which is why grace is such a wonderful, beautiful gift. Because even though I was (emphasis on past tense) practicing such sinful, godless behaviors, God forgave me when I submitted to His will (which includes turning away from /not practicing those sins and having them washed away in baptism).

I know that the world wants us to believe homosexuality is ok, and that God will accept them just as He accepts His children, but that’s just not true. The Bible clearly states that those walking around IN THEIR SINS will not inherit eternal life, but only those who have been washed and sanctified and who continue to now walk in the light and out of the darkness of sin.

Please don’t buy into the mantra that you can be a gay Christian. You can be a Christian who struggles with same-sex attraction. You can be a Christian who struggles with any number of things. But you can’t be a Christian who openly, actively defies the will and word of God by practicing such things. You can only be a faithful, forgiven child of God when you turn away from your sins instead of openly embracing them. Struggle, yes. Participate, no.

Please know, God loves you and wants you to go to heaven regardless of what sin Satan has a hold of you with. Yes, it will be a struggle to say no, but you can do it. Heaven will be worth it, no matter what you have to give up or live without on this earth.