Separated From God
Rev. Turner:"I am so sad and afraid. I don't want to live in depression and fear of hell, but I have been taught that homosexuals will not go to heaven. Please help me. I don't know what to do and I have a multihandicapped daughter who needs me. I luv a woman who treats me and my children so well. I try to not be sexual with her, but it happens. I have been told by my sister that Jesus will most likely rapture the church this week (Roshashana-sp?) or for sure by the y2k breakdown. I am frightened and don't know how to clean myself up enough to be accepted by God. I know I was saved by grace, but I do believe that a person can lose their salvation according the their life choices and styles. Sin means a separation for the Lord, and I am afraid that my sin of homosexuality has separated me from God and heavenly attainment!
PLEASE HELP ME!!!???"
J.
Dear J,
I really want to help you but some of this must come from you as
well. What I mean by that is you know that God made you, God gave you
a
daughter to care for and nuture and God has given you a special person
in
your life who loves you and you love her. Yet, you are afraid and
think you
are going to lose it all because of what your sister said?
I am sure your sister is well intentioned, however she is trying to
predicted the coming of Christ and using it to frighten you. Jesus
when
asked the same question about when God would come, said that no one
knows
the time or date except God. Not even the Son knows. So I wonder what
inside track your sister has?
I am more concerned by your next statement:
My dear child of God, if you believe then there is nothing to clean
up. The slate has been wiped clean. There is no record of wrongs. Go
to the scriptures, more specifically the Gospels, and read them for
yourself. Time and time again, Jesus told people that it was their
faith
that healed them or set them free from some affliction. Please take
note of
who these people were -- they were the dregs of that times' society.
They
were the unwanted, the lost, those thought to be unworthy. Jesus'
concern
in each of those cases was for these folks faith in God to be intact -- not their life style. For instance, in the case of the woman
at the
well who had five husbands, nothing changed the fact that she had
already
had all these partners, rather her faith enabled her to begin to live a
full
and abundant life. Read the story of Levi, the tax collector, found in
the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus ate and fellowshipped with him. Did he
quit
being a tax collector? No, he just became honest and compassionate in
what
he was doing.
Does God want you to be something other than what you are? NO!
What is
it that God requires of us? That we do justice, act mercifully and
walk
humbly with our God. [Micah 6:8] That was the understanding of the Old Testament
God.
Jesus gave us a new command: "That you love one another as I have loved
you". [John 13:34] Not doing these things is what may put one's salvation and grace
in
jeopardy, not the sexual acts done between to people who love each
other
and their God.
J, please read this piece of scripture closely and with great
prayer because it speaks directly to your fear:
God bless,
"I have been told by my sister that Jesus
will most likely rapture the church this week (Roshashana-sp?) or for
sure by
the y2k breakdown..."
"I am frightened and don't know how to clean myself up enough to be
accepted by God. "
"I know I was saved by grace, but I do believe that a person can
lose
their salvation according the their life choices and styles. Sin means
a
separation for the Lord, and I am afraid that my sin of
homosexuality has separated me from God ..."
"What may we say about these things? If God is for us, who is
against
us? He who did not keep back his only Son, but gave him up for us all,
will
he not with him freely give us all things? Who will say anything
against
the saints of God? It is God who makes us clear from evil; Who will
give a
decision against us? It is Christ Jesus who not only was put to death,
but
came again from the dead, who is now at the right hand of God, taking
our
part. Who will come between us and the love of Christ? Will trouble, or
pain, or cruel acts, or the need of food or of clothing, or danger, or
the
sword? As it is said in the holy Writings, Because of you we are put to
death every day; we are like sheep ready for destruction. But we are
able to
overcome all these things and more through his love. For I am certain
that
not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things
to
come, or powers, Or things on high, or things under the earth, or
anything
which is made, will be able to come between us and the love of God
which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord."
My dear sister in Christ, know that nothing in all of creation can
come between you and God -- not your sister, not your homosexuality,
not
anything. Know this day that your faith in God almighty and in that of
Jesus the Christ has set you free to be who you are -- a gifted, loving
mother of a special child and, yes, a lesbian!
-- Romans 8:31-39
If you are seeking guidance and pastoral care on your journey to fullness as a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person, please contact Pastor Paul directly at pastorpaul@whosoever.org.