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I am a Christian with same-sex attraction - does God hate me

No. Start there, because everything else must be read in its light: 'God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8), and Jesus' standing invitation has no asterisk: 'him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out' (John 6:37).

Experiencing attraction you did not choose is not itself a sin - temptation is not sin, or Jesus could not have been 'in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin' (Hebrews 4:15). The classical reading of Scripture, which this site's sources hold, is that God reserves sexual intimacy for marriage between a husband and wife (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6) - a standard that asks costly obedience of every believer, single or married, whatever their attractions (Luke 9:23).

But costly is not the same as unloved: nothing about your struggle diminishes your worth, your welcome, or God's delight in you (Zephaniah 3:17), and any treatment of you - mockery, cruelty, disgust - that contradicts the love of Christ is sin against you, full stop (1 John 4:20). You do not walk this alone or in secret: find mature believers who can hold both conviction and compassion (Galatians 6:2), because that is exactly what God himself holds toward you.

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From Bible Navigator's study library. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). This is encouragement for study and reflection, not professional counseling - if you are in crisis, call or text 988.

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