Brandan Kraft argues that while God indeed hates sin—including homosexuality, which Scripture identifies as sinful—God simultaneously loves His elect people in Christ regardless of their specific transgressions, drawing on doctrines of unconditional election and the efficacy of Christ's redemptive work. He critiques movements like Westboro Baptist Church for failing to distinguish between God's love for His chosen and His wrath toward the reprobate, and for emphasizing particular sins while overlooking self-righteousness condemned in Luke 18:9-14 and Jeremiah 31:3. Kraft contends that the Gospel centers on Christ's surety rather than individual conversion, and that genuine believers, whether formerly enslaved to homosexuality or other sins, will be called to repentance through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
What does the Bible say about God's love for homosexuals?
The Bible teaches that God loves all people, including those who identify as homosexual, as His love is not contingent on sin.
Jeremiah 31:3, Ephesians 1:4-5
How do we know God's love for all people is true?
God's love is described in Scripture as everlasting and extends to all, including those who face condemnation for their sins.
Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 5:8
Why is understanding God's love important for Christians?
Understanding God's love is crucial for Christians as it informs our identity and how we are to love others.
Luke 18:9-14
Editor's note: I don't believe it's acceptable to call people "fag" or any other sort of slur. This article is a response to the pharisees that sling that term around with such a self-righteous attitude. This is by no means a celebration of homosexuality or any other behavior which is in violation of the law of God. There but for the grace of God go I. - B.
I'm titling this short article "God Loves Homosexuals" as a response to the "God Hates Fags" message you have probably heard spoken of by the Westboro Baptist Church in the mainstream media. Ironically, on the surface, I agree with their statement regarding God's hatred of people. God does indeed hate people - and He hates homosexuals - some of them at least. He also hates non-homosexuals. He hates all kinds of people. But let me tell you something that they're leaving out... God also loves homosexuals.
God loves homosexuals. And He loves black people. And yes He loves white people too! You see, it has nothing to do with the person that He loves. It has to do with Christ. He loves His elect people in Christ. And all of the elect were in Christ from before the foundation of the world. All of these elect people were created in iniquity and they have sinned terribly in numerous ways. But like the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, Christ will come to every one of His elect children and cause them to believe in Him and His Gospel.
I'm not going to write about homosexuality and whether it is sinful or not. It clearly is sinful in the sight of God. In fact, it's an abomination. But it's not so great a sin that can cause God to stop loving one of His elect children. If an unregenerate elect child of God is caught up in the sin of homosexuality, they will be called out of that lifestyle. The Holy Ghost one day will bring the Gospel message to that individual, cause them to look to Christ, and put within them a new heart that will also cause them to turn from their sinful lifestyle which involves far more than homosexuality.
The Westboro Baptists subscribe to a doctrine called "common wrath". That is they believe if you are not what they call a gospel believer living in a sinful lifestyle like homosexuality, then you are under the wrath of God. But they are wrong because they fail to differentiate between those who are elect in Christ and those who are destined for damnation. And I believe their message is anti-Gospel because of this failure to differentiate. They're focused more on the sinner instead of the surety. They base salvation on conversion of the individual - not on the work of Christ alone. They also seemingly focus on one particular sin. Do you ever hear them speak of self-righteousness? What do the scriptures say about that particular sin?
"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." - Luke 18:9-14
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. - Jer 31:3
Grace and Peace!
Brandan
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