LGBT lifestyle? Is it the worst sin of all?

All Sinners who are saved by grace can go to heaven, except those who are LGBT. (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual or Transgender)

Has anyone said to you that your loved one will not go to heaven if they are in the LGBT lifestyle? I have heard this said over and over by well meaning, God-fearing Christians to other Christian parents struggling to make sense of their child’s homosexuality. But, in good conscience I cannot agree with that.

If you are a Christian parent of a child in this lifestyle what are you supposed to do? Do you to shut your child out? Do you cut them out of your family and withdraw your love? Do you tell them that all sin is forgivable except that of being in the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual or Transgender) lifestyle? Do you withdraw your love? My belief is no and here is my reasoning.

First, the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is without sin. However, for some reason, we as Christians have failed miserably to show love the love of Christ to those involved in the LGBT lifestyle. Believers who misinterpret scripture and say those involved in the LGBT life will go to hell for their choices are taking away the power of the cross. I am not saying anyone should sin or continue in any life choice that goes against what God tells us is His best for us, in His Word.  

However, I am asking the question, “Why is the sin of homosexuality any different from any other sin on the planet?” You can become drunk, have affairs, swear and even kill and be forgiven, but the sin of homosexuality is not covered by the blood of the cross? By saying those involved in this lifestyle choice will go to hell, are we not reducing Christ’s death on the cross? Are we not making His payment for sin ineffective? If Christ’s death wasn’t enough to cover the sin of being gay, then why is it enough to cover any other sin?  It is sad to me that the body of Christ has pushed away those in this lifestyle, instead of showing them the love of the Savior and bringing them into the fellowship of other believers.

Many of those who choose the LGBT life struggle with feeling accepted and loved. They are seeking acceptance and love just like so many who are heterosexual. But instead of loving them as we would another believer struggling, we shame and push them away…and that makes me terribly sad.

I have wrestled with all of this so much as I watch so many Christian families struggle with children involved in this lifestyle. It made me think of the passage in John 8 when Jesus was teaching in the temple and the Pharisees and scribes brought him a woman who had committed adultery, and asked Him if she should be stoned, which was the law at the time.

The Pharisees did not care about the woman. They wanted to catch Jesus and prove that either He lacked wisdom, wasn’t truly the Savior, or wouldn’t uphold the Law of Moses. Instead of condemning the woman, Jesus wrote something in the sand. He then asked the Pharisees, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her because that is what the law requires.” (John 8) He then told them that the Law also required that the first stone be thrown by a person who was sinless. Everyone will die in their sin if they choose to reject Christ, because they are rejecting the only way to be rescued from sin. But specifically saying one sin is worse than another is incorrect. There is nothing we can do that will cause God to love us more or less. Yes, we can disappoint Him with the choices we make and we can suffer the consequences of those choices. However, that does not change His love for us. In John 8:32 Jesus tells us, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Instead of Christ condemning the prostitute, He offered her life. When we forgive and reach out to others in love and with the Gospel of Christ, then lives change.

So what is a Christian parent to do when their child reveals their homosexuality? First and foremost, no matter what, we need to let them know like Christ, our love for them is unwavering. It will NEVER change.

Second, we must remember, that our children are not perfect. They have heart issues and hurts. We need to pray for them. Ask God to work in their hearts and lives and bring them back to His best for them. We are all broken people and need the help and hope that only Christ offers.

Last of all, just because a child has homosexual thoughts does not mean they are a homosexual. If they have acted out on these desires and thoughts, we should not address it as a sin that is somehow worse than any other sin. We should however, let them know of our convictions and that we do not agree with their choices, but only after we have expressed to them our love.

This is not an easy subject to discuss. However, it is one of utmost importance that deserves our attention.