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Transgenderism, Homosexuality, and 1 Corinthians 7 Question(s)

Ghoti Ichthus

Genesis 18:32, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Acts 5:29
Transgenderism, Homosexuality, and 1 Corinthians 7 (especially 1 Corinthians 7:20 and 1 Corinthians 7:10-13 ) Questions

1 Corinthians 7:20 says for someone to remain in the state they were in when God called him or her/when he or she came to saving faith.
1 Corinthians 7:10-13 says for a saved person to not leave the unsaved spouse if the unsaved spouse wants to stay/have the saved spouse stay, etc.

So what do "married" homosexuals and transgenders do if one or both become Christians and understand that homosexuality is a sin?

What do people do, who are in the process of "becoming" the other gender, especially before any surgery? Do they just stop and revert? Or continue taking hormones, etc.?
What do people do, who have completed the transition (i.e., surgery) to "become" the other gender? Do they continue to live the lie, or do they "transition" back to their God-given gender (i.e., surgical reversal, taking hormones so they are endocrinologically their God-assigned birth since no longer have original sex organs?, etc.)

What about a Christian, who is not transgender, but discovers he or she has unknowingly married a transgender, thus entering into a homosexual "marriage?"

What about two transgenders, one of each gender, who have married each other, thus being in a heterosexual marriage?

What about a transgender "male" (XX), who has been ordained as a "male?"

Etc., etc., etc.

1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7, KJV
 
So what do "married" homosexuals and transgenders do if one or both become Christians and understand that homosexuality is a sin?


I will answer this question as this one is very easy to answer and in a general sense answers all the others. Stop sinning!!! Two men or two women living together is not a sin, just if they are having sex. So they just need to stop having sex and/or unnatural affection for each other. 👍

We can come up with all kinds of weird questions regarding what a Christian should or should not do, but I am not sure what you are getting at with all of your questions? 🤔
 
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Even the appearance of sin is an issue.
So if two homosexuals are "married," even if they stop having sex, if they're still living together, there will still be the appearance of "marriage," and thus, sinning.

Easy to say stop sinning, but the legal and medical/moral issues are a mess.

I'm asking what should be done in light of what the Bible says about one's state when he or she comes to saving faith.
 
Even the appearance of sin is an issue.
So if two homosexuals are "married," even if they stop having sex, if they're still living together, there will still be the appearance of "marriage," and thus, sinning.


Easy to say stop sinning, but the legal and medical/moral issues are a mess.

I'm asking what should be done in light of what the Bible says about one's state when he or she comes to saving faith.

Let me say this, what the Bible says is the only truth. We cannot make up our own conclusions as to what truth is. You say that two homosexuals who were married (that marriage is not valid in God's eyes) and are no longer having sex or unnatural affection for each other would still be sinning based on the appearance. Where does it say that in the Bible?

The Bible does speak about what Pastors should and should not do based on appearance. If I should spend all day in a bar sharing the Gospel, would I be sinning because someone thinks I am a drunk? Sin primarily has to do with ones intentions. That is why Jesus says if a man should look at a woman with lust, he has committed adultery in his heart. Nothing wrong with a man looking at a woman, but why is he looking at them.

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

I am still trying to understand what is the purpose of your questions? I could come up with hundreds of questions about what someone should do as a Christian, but what would be my purpose of doing that? So what is driving you to ask these questions? If it is just out of curiosity there is nothing wrong with that, but it is not the best use of your time. This is the time as Christians when we should be spending our time taking in Bible doctrine and sharing the Gospel message as much as possible.
 
Even the appearance of sin is an issue.
So if two homosexuals are "married," even if they stop having sex, if they're still living together, there will still be the appearance of "marriage," and thus, sinning.

Easy to say stop sinning, but the legal and medical/moral issues are a mess.

I'm asking what should be done in light of what the Bible says about one's state when he or she comes to saving faith.
Context is everything. The reference to staying in whatever state you are in when you first got saved comes after Paul had been speaking about sexual immorality and marriage. When he speaks of our estate, he expands his references beyond marriage to other things, such as circumcision. His point is that rather than rushing out and making possibly foolish decisions in a rash attempt to please the Lord, we should stay put and allow God to work in us and lead is in the right way. BUT, he is clear that he is speaking of that which is sanctified. Scripture repeatedly tells us homosexual practices are sin and, thus, homosexual relationships cannot be sanctified.We are told to flee sin and avoid alli reappearance of evil. Those scriptural facts clearly tell anyone in a homosexual or lesbian relationship to leave it immediately. Deny self and follow Christ.

I disagree to a degree with our brother who says, in general, such questions should not be asked. I agree with him that we should spend our time better by sharing the gospel. But we should also learn. And, since iron sharpens iron, asking questions of our brothers and sisters in Christ is a useful thing to do. And in this case has a practical purpose in that we may be faced with such situations among people to whom we witness and need to be prepared to answer their questions biblically.
 
I disagree to a degree with our brother who says, in general, such questions should not be asked. I agree with him that we should spend our time better by sharing the gospel.

Just to be clear, I did not say such questions should not be asked, I was asking her what her purpose was in asking the questions.


I stated...
"I am still trying to understand what is the purpose of your questions?" "So what is driving you to ask these questions?"


By her asking seven questions it was not clear to me what she was really trying to find out. If the way I stated what I did sounded like I was saying that Christians should not ask questions, then I apologize as that is not at all what I meant. Of course Christians should ask questions. 👍
 
Yes, our sister was simply considering some questions that arose in her mind concerning some specific situations in society today in light of a couple of equally specific scriptures.
I kind of thought that was the case, but to me I still have the same answer to all the questions which is to just stop sinning to the best of your ability. To say what one should do in this situation or some other situation to me just makes it more complex as one can keep coming up with different situations. I think one simple answer will do which is to just stop sinning to the best of your ability.

Those are my thoughts anyway. 🙂
 
Let me say this, what the Bible says is the only truth. We cannot make up our own conclusions as to what truth is. You say that two homosexuals who were married (that marriage is not valid in God's eyes) and are no longer having sex or unnatural affection for each other would still be sinning based on the appearance. Where does it say that in the Bible?

According to the Bible homosexuality is a sin. The Bible also has established terms for marriage. Homosexuality is not included in the Biblical definition of one man and one woman of free agency united in matrimony under God. Forget appearance. It is a sin for a man and a man to live together as "husbands" (likewise for women.) The Bible tells us to flee immorality in 1 Cor 6:18. A man who has turned to God for salvation from his lifestyle of homosexual sin is not fleeing sexual immorality if he remains in the unsanctified relationship, even if he remains celebate. The temptation will be there.

Just as an alcoholic needs to stay away from bars, and a man addicted to pornography needs to get away from the computer.
 
I would add that denying the truth of how God made you is also a sin. A "transgender" who has mutilated their body in service to a lie will have to deal with the consequences of that for the rest of their life, but must come to the truth (just as they must change their minds about other sins as they turn to Jesus for salvation), as hard as it may be, that God made them how they were at birth and God doesn't make mistakes.

A person who was deceived about the real gender of the spouse they supposedly married will discover soon enough the deception. Surgery leaves scars. I don't believe that God will hold the deceived person accountable unless they choose to go along with the deception after they discover the truth.
 
I've been thinking about this more. My heart goes out to this community. So many have ended up where they are because of abuse. The world is pushing this because it destroys so many and Satan loves to murder and destroy. We do no one any favors by ignoring sin and claiming that it is loving to allow someone to believe a lie.

A homosexual Christian is an oxymoron. When we turn to Christ, we turn away from our sins. We acknowledge ourselves as sinners and gain our identity in Christ. His righteousness covers our own shame because of His sacrifice and shed blood. The Christian is justified by grace through faith. Sanctification is a much slower process though, and a Christian can continue to sin, even sins that he has turned away from when he turned to Jesus at the cross. That's why we need to maintain our relationship by confessing our sins, and repenting. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we do, but we do not identify ourselves by our sins after salvation. To do so would imply that Jesus's sacrifice was either insufficient or unnecessary and makes the Bible out to be false.

Anyone who identifies as homosexual or transgender, and anyone who teaches that either is acceptable to practice while trying to follow Christ has no business being a pastor or teacher in the church.
 
1 Corinthians 7:10-13 says for a saved person to not leave the unsaved spouse if the unsaved spouse wants to stay/have the saved spouse stay, etc.

So what do "married" homosexuals and transgenders do if one or both become Christians and understand that homosexuality is a sin?

Marriage is between a man and a woman. The world can become increasingly corrupt and twisted and evil and can further distance itself from God, but the world cannot corrupt/change what is Truth.

Therefore, marriages between individuals of the same sex are just two or more people pretending at the idea while in rebellion against God. Should one become saved, it might take some time before they come to understand and embrace the Truth, especially since the world will continue to tell them something else.
 
I think what I'm looking for are Biblically-acceptable practical things to do about the Earthly entanglements and consequences of these particular sins.

Transgenderism and homosexuality are sins like any other, but seem to have far more complex legal, administrative, and medical consequences than most other sins that I can think of. The

As an example of how much less complicated other sins are, for a thief, correcting Earthly consequences is pretty straightforward. Apologize to all one has wronged (and ask for their forgiveness), return any stolen property one still has, tell where all the rest went, reimburse for any victim expenses, make restitution for anything one cannot return to the victims, plus any other damages, turn one's self in to law enforcement, and cooperate fully with law enforcement and insurance investigations and the civil and criminal justice systems and courts, and don't do it again. This is repentance in word and deed. Spiritually, the thief needs to repent, confess, and seek God's forgiveness.
 
Can a homosexual be a saved Christian? Is this a sin that was not covered by Jesus on the cross?
Ah, you've misunderstood my point. Would God call a Christian a "homosexual Christian"? I don't believe He would, because it would be a lie. A Christian can only be a Christian, there can't be just a little spot of dirt on those white wedding garments.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"...and such were some of you...."

I submit that a homosexual can become a saved Christian, and that sin was and is completely covered by the blood of Jesus at the cross. A saved Christian can even fall back into sins that they had a tendency to commit before salvation, so someone who committed homosexual acts before salvation, if he doesn't avoid temptation, might find himself back in the mire. We all still sin and God deals with that sin on an individual basis.

The part that makes it an oxymoron, is that a Christian is to no longer derive their sense of self in their past sins. To say that one is a "homosexual Christian" implies that the person has not given that sin up and recognized it as sin. We are to die to self daily. We take on Christ's righteousness and when God sees us, He sees His righteousness. We don't go around modifying "Christian" with the name of other sins. There is no half-way. We either turn it all over or we have offered God nothing and must at that point consider whether we are truly saved. Confessing aloud and believeing in our hearts that Jesus is Lord acknowledges His Lordship over all of our life, not just part.

After we have turned our lives over to Christ, we still have a sin nature. We will still sin. We repent daily and resubmit to His Lordship, and He, being merciful and loving, forgives us and uses it to work for our betterment. Sometimes getting to the repent part involves discipline, but we will get there if we are truly a child of God.
 
Ah, you've misunderstood my point. Would God call a Christian a "homosexual Christian"? I don't believe He would, because it would be a lie. A Christian can only be a Christian, there can't be just a little spot of dirt on those white wedding garments.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"...and such were some of you...."

I submit that a homosexual can become a saved Christian, and that sin was and is completely covered by the blood of Jesus at the cross. A saved Christian can even fall back into sins that they had a tendency to commit before salvation, so someone who committed homosexual acts before salvation, if he doesn't avoid temptation, might find himself back in the mire. We all still sin and God deals with that sin on an individual basis.

The part that makes it an oxymoron, is that a Christian is to no longer derive their sense of self in their past sins. To say that one is a "homosexual Christian" implies that the person has not given that sin up and recognized it as sin. We are to die to self daily. We take on Christ's righteousness and when God sees us, He sees His righteousness. We don't go around modifying "Christian" with the name of other sins. There is no half-way. We either turn it all over or we have offered God nothing and must at that point consider whether we are truly saved. Confessing aloud and believeing in our hearts that Jesus is Lord acknowledges His Lordship over all of our life, not just part.

After we have turned our lives over to Christ, we still have a sin nature. We will still sin. We repent daily and resubmit to His Lordship, and He, being merciful and loving, forgives us and uses it to work for our betterment. Sometimes getting to the repent part involves discipline, but we will get there if we are truly a child of God.
What about a homosexual who believes in Jesus as his Savior, acknowledges his sexual deviance is a sin, but yet still struggles to control it? Obviously that person would be out of fellowship with our Lord and Savior, but what about the union with Him? Can behavior ever break that union? Does OSAS apply to all?
 
What about a homosexual who believes in Jesus as his Savior, acknowledges his sexual deviance is a sin, but yet still struggles to control it? Obviously that person would be out of fellowship with our Lord and Savior, but what about the union with Him? Can behavior ever break that union? Does OSAS apply to all?

I believe that I've covered that in my previous answer. Christians can and do still sin. Someone who acknowledges their sin as sin and turns it over to Jesus at the cross, trusting fully in His sacrifice to cleanse them is saved. Period. If it were up to us to maintain our salvation after that point, we would all lose it.

But if that person is clinging to a pet sin, so much so that they draw their identity from it and call themselves by that sin, even to the point of putting it before calling themselves Christian, they may need to examine themselves and see if they have truly repented and turned to Christ as Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 is the standard for salvation. If you don't recognize Jesus as Lord, even if you confess Him, then your heart still isn't there. If you are saying that He is Lord over everything, except that, are you saved? Has that person repented?
 
I believe that I've covered that in my previous answer. Christians can and do still sin. Someone who acknowledges their sin as sin and turns it over to Jesus at the cross, trusting fully in His sacrifice to cleanse them is saved. Period. If it were up to us to maintain our salvation after that point, we would all lose it.

But if that person is clinging to a pet sin, so much so that they draw their identity from it and call themselves by that sin, even to the point of putting it before calling themselves Christian, they may need to examine themselves and see if they have truly repented and turned to Christ as Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 is the standard for salvation. If you don't recognize Jesus as Lord, even if you confess Him, then your heart still isn't there. If you are saying that He is Lord over everything, except that, are you saved? Has that person repented?
Thanks for clarifying this.
 
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