I know that we are all at different places in our search for God. For those that are new and wondering how to know that God loves you, you may want to know some simple truths from the Bible:

Jesus Christ can grant us peace with God. (Romans 5:1)

All of us, sometime in our lives, have sinned. That sin causes us to fall short of God’s expectations for us. (Romans 3:23)

Because we are all sinners, we have a broken relationship with God. Confessing our sins mends that relationship with God and provides us with eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

God loved us so much that He gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. (John 3:16)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Those who believe that can have a personal relationship with God. (John 14:6)

If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and he was raised from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

And an important point for our community to know is this…God created us in His image. He loves us the way we are. (Genesis 1:27)

Once you believe these things, you begin to have a personal relationship with God. At first, He may seem distant, but keeping an open communication with Him will help you see that he is not a far off God. He wants you to chat with him and he wants to talk with you.

Remember that no matter where you are in life and how far away you feel from God, He is there waiting for you. And even if you feel like He could never forgive you, know that He has forgiven you already…He’s just waiting for you ask for it!

As you begin your journey with God, remember not to get hung up in the details. God reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Sometimes that’s all we need to do! As you go, do fellowship with other Christians. This is a great place to start. You may want to check out the Church Directory to see if there is a church near you that will help you to grow as a gay Christian.

If you have questions, post them here, or feel free to email me. My address is in my public profile.

Hello again!

Someone recently asked me what it means to be "Saved" and I thought maybe others would have a similar question.

This is a word that is often used in Christian circles to describe someone who has accepted that Jesus is their personal Lord and Saviour. They acknowledge that Jesus died and then came back to life. They request forgiveness for past sins and help to grow in God's word. It is a private commitment between a person and God.

Saved simply refers to a person who has asked Christ to keep them from an eternity of hell and grant them an everlasting life.

Is Baptism the same as being Saved?

Simply put, baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith (man, do I sound Baptist ). Being saved is just between you and God. But God does want us to share our belief in Him also. That's where baptism comes in.

When we are baptised, a ceremony takes place generally in front of other believers. A statement of faith is made and the baptism is performed.

Some people are baptised as infants and then confirmed in their teenaged years. Others believe that baptism must be done after the age of understanding. Only you can decide that after reading scriptures and talking to other Christians or your minister.

If you are not baptised, are you still saved? Will you go to heaven? I believe the answer to that is yes because we are told "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Romans 10:9) but that does not mean that we should put off being baptised!

I agree!

The Baptists are correct!!

No seriously... as far as I can see, John 3.16 is the way we are 'saved', through grace, by faith - belief that Jesus is who he says he is, that he died on the cross as a substitute for us, and to open the way for a relationship with God. That is a very internal process, even though you might tell some other people you have become a Christian.

How that externally manifests itself is different in different denominations. Some have infant baptism, others have confirmation, others go for full adult immersion as a statement of faith. Like New Song says, if you're not baptised it doesn't mean you're not going to heaven.