Will Gay People Go to Heaven?
This post dives into a topic that has weighed on my heart since my first semester at Liberty University, even before I became a Christian. I'm fully aware that discussing this can evoke strong emotions, and I'm ready to receive your thoughts, whether they be anger, frustration, or sadness. If you identify as LGBTQ+, I encourage you to read on because I once walked in your shoes. Please feel free to disagree with me; my aim is to share my perspective as someone who has experienced both sides of this conversation and to convey what the Lord has placed on my heart.
Introduction:
The question of whether gay individuals will be in heaven has become a prominent topic of discussion in various settings, including the streets, classrooms, and pulpits. A recent Gallup poll, conducted and released in February 2022, provides some striking data: 7.1% of the U.S. population identifies as part of the LGBT community, with over one-fifth of individuals in my generation identifying as well.
This statistical revelation might have provided comfort to me if I had encountered it two and a half years ago. However, as a Christian, it now raises questions and concerns. How should Christians react to these statistics, if at all? Is there an obligation for us to respond?
If you're interested in reading the full study, you can find it here: [Gallup LGBT Identification Study]
My Personal Story:
Before I became a Christian, I carried a secret; I was part of the LGBTQ+ community. Growing up close to Wheaton College, I felt like I couldn't openly express myself within the Christian environment. Back then, I believed that the church would condemn my feelings. But now, as times have changed, many Christian communities have become more accepting and tolerating of this lifestyle. You decide if for the better or not.
I led a hidden life during that period, seeking refuge in social media, YouTube videos, and online conversations. These outlets allowed me to live a life that I felt I couldn't live openly. However, this secrecy began to take a toll on my relationships with loved ones. Without realizing it, I was distancing myself from those I cared about most. My pride, pun not intended, was driving a wedge between me and the people I loved. It wasn't their fault, but rather my belief that I needed to keep my distance.
In 2021, I embarked on a new journey by enrolling at Liberty University, which was a considerable 12-hour distance from my hometown. Although I still held onto my feelings, I buried them deep inside, genuinely wanting to change how I felt. I continued attending church, participating in Bible classes, and even went on dates with girls. However, it all unraveled when I realized that the core of my identity was based on my hidden desire for a homosexual relationship. It became clear that this was not a healthy way to identify, not because of what the church taught or something a pastor said, but because of the impact it had on my interactions with others. I was unknowingly pushing people away, rendering myself emotionally unavailable and unable to form deeper connections with those around me. I found myself identifying with nothing.
But then, God intervened.
During a difficult time in my life, a close friend spoke truth to me, particularly regarding my mental health. It was then that I began to grasp the concept of God's unconditional love. I understood that God was extending grace and mercy to me, but the question remained: Was I willing to accept it? The answer was a resounding "yes." It was at that moment that I first identified as a Christian, recognizing myself as a beloved child of God.
Understanding the LGBT Community:
The central point I want to emphasize in my personal journey is the question of where we anchor our identity. Before becoming a Christian, I placed my identity in worldly matters, such as my feelings, pride, and others' opinions of me. However, upon embracing Christianity, my perspective underwent a significant shift. I transitioned from identifying with how I felt to identifying as a Christian - as a child of God.
In contrast, members of the LGBTQ+ community, though not all, often center their identity around their sexuality or gender identity. They may prominently display their pronouns in their bios or wear symbols of their identity, and this identity runs deep within their hearts. They see themselves through the lens of their sexuality or gender identity, often viewing it as a core aspect of who they are, akin to how one might identify as an athlete on social media.
However, the two are far different. The distinction lies in the depth of this identification. Identifying as gay or transgender often involves more than acknowledging a facet of one's identity; it can entail active participation in a community that shares similar experiences. This community offers support, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging, often championing the message that "love is love."
This prompts the question: Is it wrong to identify with one's sexual orientation or gender identity in this way? Is it sinful to seek connection and support within a community that advocates for love and inclusivity?
Understanding What It Means to be a Christian:
Jesus loves you deeply, so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to earth to walk among us and die for our sins. He is always willing to sit with us, to speak to us, and to show us that without Him, we are lost. How incredible is it that Jesus lovingly reveals to us that we are lost and that through Him, we can be found!
One powerful example of this is seen in the parable of the Woman at the Well. In this story, Jesus offers her living water, symbolizing salvation from sin and the ultimate satisfaction for her thirsty soul. In John 4:15, the woman, recognizing her deep thirst and the fulfillment she can find in the Lord, asks Jesus for this living water, saying, "Please, sir, give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water." It's a profoundly personal moment.
However, Jesus doesn't simply grant her request. Instead, He says, "Go and get your husband." This seemingly unrelated statement is a pivotal moment in this interaction.
As we read further, we discover that this woman has had five husbands and is currently living with a man she isn't married to. Why did Jesus bring up her past? He wanted her to confront her sin. She had been labeled an adulterous woman by her community, and it's likely that she had carried the weight of that shame herself for a long time.
But after experiencing this holy conviction, and dealing with her sin, Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah. In this beautiful encounter, we witness how:
- Jesus sits with us,
- Jesus speaks with us,
- Jesus reveals our sin,
- And ultimately, Jesus offers us a new identity in Him.
Jesus’s love is transformational
What It Means to Identify with Homosexuality
To identify as something is to claim it as your own, to consider it a part of yourself. In the LGBTQ+ community, we observe many individuals embracing what their hearts tell them. However, it's essential to acknowledge that our hearts can lead us astray. Mark 7:21 describes this by saying, "For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness."
To identify with homosexuality is to identify with your wickedness, to identify with your heart.
What It Means to Identify as a Christian
Identifying as a Christian signifies a fundamental change in how one perceives themselves. It entails a shift from placing significance in worldly matters, like personal desires or pride, to grounding one's identity in faith. This transformation involves recognizing oneself as a cherished child of God, a relationship that offers unconditional love and grace. As a Christian, one acknowledges the need for spiritual nourishment and fulfillment, akin to the living water offered by Jesus in the parable of the Woman at the Well.
However, we still are sinful for we are still human. We will make mistakes, but we will try to grow from them and to glorify God.
It is Okay to Struggle
Just as we don't expect drug users to become sober overnight or smokers to quit cold turkey without setbacks, we shouldn't anticipate individuals grappling with homosexual sin to instantly overcome it. This is a genuine struggle, a term I reserve for Christians because it signifies a battle against the inner sins, a striving for greater fulfillment in the Lord. So, if you're reading this and genuinely identify with Christ but still wrestle with your sexuality, that's okay. I know exactly how you feel. I once was there. Sanctification and healing take time, achieved through prayer, Bible study, and support. But above all, it requires the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within you. It's a struggle, but with the Lord by your side, you can make it through the storm!
Will Gay People Go to Heaven?
Instead of providing a direct answer, let me pose these questions to you:
- Are they prioritizing their sexuality over their identity in Christ?
- Or are they Christians grappling with the inner struggle against sinful desires in their hearts?
What do you think?
END OF PART 1
God Bless,
Micah Syswerda
