There are many in the church world who profess they are Christian and who also claim to be homosexual, “because God made me that way”. Many others assert they are homosexual but are also Christian because they are celibate. But is it really possible to a a “gay” Christian?

It all depends on your definition of gay.

The American Dictionary of the English Language defines gay as “merry, cheerful, or fine (as a gay dress).” If that is your definition of gay, then one can, in fact, be a gay Christian.

If you are using gay in the recently distorted cultural definition as a description of someone who is homosexual, then the Biblical answer is clearly, no! It is not possible to be a homosexual and a Christian at the same time.

Although there are many in the church world who profess they are Christian and who also claim to be homosexual, “because God made me that way,” they are certainly wrong. Many others who assert they are homosexual but believe they are Christian because they are celibate are also assuredly wrong.

God’s word is very clear that homosexuality is a sin. In 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NASB95), the Apostle Paul writes “⁹ Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

Clearly, Scripture teaches that everyone who continues in the kind of lifestyles listed in this passage are unrighteous sinners and therefore will not inherit the kingdom of God. They will inherit only the righteous wrath of God for their sin. If someone is living any of the sinful lifestyles mentioned, they must repent of their sin and turn to righteous living. The very word repent means a change of mind. It has to do with turning from something (sin) to something else (obedience to God’s commandments).

Those who proclaim they are unable to change their natural inclination and resist the temptation of their sin are denying the clear teaching of Scripture, “Such were some of you…” The Word of God affirms that homosexuality is not only a sin but that those who indulge in that sin can be changed by God and turn from their sinful lifestyle.

Therefore, anyone who truly believes they are homosexual and also a Christian because “God made me this way,” is certainly very confused and is positively not a Christian. Scripture teaches that anyone who is “alive in Christ” is also “dead to sin.” Those who are genuinely Christian are those whom God has enabled to turn from their sinful lifestyle and live as servants who love and obey their Lord, Jesus Christ.

Those in the church (including pastors) who continue to speak of “gay” Christians add to the confusion and perpetuate the lie. While we can properly speak of African, German, or Chinese Christians, we can never properly speak of an “idolatrous” Christian. To do so would be making a nonsensical claim. A Christian cannot serve both God and mammon; what is not God. In the same way, we cannot truthfully proclaim someone is a Christian who consistently follows a sinful lifestyle.

How then should we relate to those who declare they are homosexual Christians? We should behave toward them in the same way we would relate to any other person living a sinful lifestyle. We should pray for them. We should proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ to them. Rather than using their language of confusion, we should show them what the Word of God says and encourage them to turn from their sinful lifestyle and turn to God. Rather than “look down” on them, we should have compassion on them as Jesus Christ had compassion on us while we were yet in our sin.