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Do we have to believe homosexuality is a sin to be saved?

Do we have to believe homosexuality is a sin to be saved?
Fall Sin

TL;DR:

You do not have to believe homosexuality is a sin to be saved—salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. But genuine faith submits to Christ's authority, leading believers to embrace God's design for sex as revealed in Scripture.

what does the bible say?

The Bible presents one way to be saved: faith in Christ as Lord. This is undergirded by love for God, which results in a desire to follow His will (John 14:15). The Jewish prayer, the shema, presents the command that underlies all others: love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Jesus reaffirmed this, calling it the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38). Those who love God will want to follow His will, not their own (John 14:15). This includes God's design for sex as between one man and one woman for a lifetime (Genesis 2:24). Both the Old and New Testaments contain God's condemnation of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Those who continue to say that homosexuality is acceptable are either ignorant of what the Bible says (so should study Scripture) or reveal that they are in rebellion against what God has said (Isaiah 5:20). The latter may be a sign that the person is only nominally Christian (Titus 1:15-16). But all people can come to a right understanding of what God wants through reading His word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God is ready and willing to accept those who love Him enough to submit to His will (1 Corinthians 6:11).

from the old testament

  • Genesis 2:24 records God's design for sex as between one man and one woman in the context of marriage. Leviticus 18:22 forbids homosexuality, among other sexual sins. Being a child of God entails trusting in the moral laws He has given us.
  • The prophet Isaiah's words reveal that God rejects those who twist lies and call them truth: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet  and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). Calling homosexuality "good" when God has called it "an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22) is the same as calling "evil good" (Isaiah 5:20).
  • Part of the shema, the most important prayer in Judaism and included in the Mosaic Law, says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Those who love God want to adhere to the boundaries He has placed on sex (lifelong committment between one man and one woman) (Genesis 2:24).

from the new testament

  • Paul expressed to the Philippian jailer the only way of salvation: ". . . Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31). He also wrote to the Romans, "because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Faith in Christ as Lord saves, but those who have true saving faith will want to follow the moral law as revealed in God's word.
  • Believing homosexuality is not a sin doesn't mean one is not saved, but it could indicate a misunderstanding of God's design for sex as laid out in Scripture. The Bible should be the guide for what God wants of us, which is why it's so important to read it regularly (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Paul clearly identified homosexuality as a sin, one so egregious that those practicing it cannot enter God's kingdom (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9).
  • But a persistent rejection of God's ways indicates that someone is not truly a child of God (Romans 1:32; cf. Isaiah 5:20). Jesus reaffirmed love for God as the "greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38) and defined love as following His commandments (John 14:15). He also reaffirmed God's perfect design for sexuality as union between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6), not same-sex couples. Those who truly love God would want to adhere to His perfect plan for sex.
  • Paul iterates this strongly in his letter to Titus: "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work" (Titus 1:15-16; cf. Matthew 7:21; emphasis added). Many claim to have faith in Christ, but what they say and do reveals their true identity. God is ready and willing to accept those who submit to His will (1 Corinthians 6:11).

implications for today

"Do these pants make me look fat?"

"What do you think of my new haircut? Doesn't this purple streak look good?"

"How do you like my blue cheese and brussel sprouts casserole?"

Telling the truth isn't easy. We can make it sound better at times ("I think I've been spoiled by how delicious your broccoli casserole is!"). But we shouldn't avoid it—especially as it relates to what God has clearly revealed in His Word. God has shown us that sex is reserved for marriage between one man and one woman for one lifetime. When we treat homosexuality as a valid choice for a Christian, we are implying that our view of sex is better than God's. We're also approving of a lifestyle that will lead the people living it to hell if they don't repent. We must not compromise on truth.

But we don't have to be the stereotyped red-faced street preacher calling down fire and brimstone on sinners. We can gently but firmly start conversations about God with those who are leading sinful lifestyles—be it homosexuality or other sin. We can help them understand who God is and what He wants for their lives.

understand

  • Believing homosexuality is a sin is consistent with God's Word, but that belief, in and of itself, does not save.
  • We are saved only by grace through faith in Christ as Lord.
  • Those who persist in sinful beliefs and actions are displaying either ignorance of God's word or deliberate rebellion against Him; the latter reveals that they are not true children of God.

reflect

  • How do you respond when God's teaching on homosexuality challenges your own opinions or the views of people you care about?
  • How can you speak the truth about homosexuality with both biblical conviction and genuine love for those who disagree?
  • If someone asked why you believe homosexuality is a sin, how would you answer from Scripture with humility and compassion?

engage

  • How can Christians uphold the Bible's teaching that homosexuality is a sin while treating those who identify as LGBTQ+ with dignity and love?
  • How should we respond when someone professes faith in Christ but openly affirms homosexual behavior as consistent with God's will?
  • What are some practical ways believers can have honest conversations about homosexuality that are both faithful to Scripture and gracious toward others?

More Resources

Sexuality Is homosexuality a sin?

Is homosexuality a sin?

The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin because it departs from God’s design for marriage and sexuality, but it is not a sin beyond the reach of His grace. Like all sin, it calls for repentance and surrender to Christ, who offers new life, identity, and hope to everyone willing to follow Him.
Salvation Do we need to believe in God’s sovereignty to be saved?

Do we need to believe in God’s sovereignty to be saved?

You don’t need to understand God’s sovereignty to be saved—just trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior. But as your faith grows, you begin to see that your salvation was never just your choice but God’s work behind it all.
Salvation Do we need to believe the Bible is God’s Word to be saved?

Do we need to believe the Bible is God’s Word to be saved?

You don’t need a complete understanding of the Bible to be saved—you need to trust in Jesus, the living Word, and believe in His finished work. But once you encounter God’s Word, rejecting it means rejecting the very truth that leads to salvation.
Salvation Do we need to believe in the inerrancy of Scripture to be saved?

Do we need to believe in the inerrancy of Scripture to be saved?

Salvation is not contigent on fully understanding or articulating the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. However, because the gospel comes from Scripture, rejecting its trustworthiness seriously risks undermining the very message that brings salvation.