My friend says he can’t become a Christian because he’s gay. What do I say?

NICHOLS: Christianity is not a religion for the righteous. Christianity is not a message of salvation for good people who just want to be a little better. Christianity is salvation for sinners. The reality is that we are all sinners. Do you know what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2? He says, “We were by nature children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3). That is all you need to say.

Even the slightest sin is worthy of condemnation and the wrath of God. So, when we want to hierarchicalize or prioritize sin, we are missing the point of the gospel that we are sinners separated from God. It is not a question of sins or the heinousness of my sins. The problem is that I, as a sinner, am separated from a holy God. The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us. All of my sins, in all of their heinousness, are put on Christ. On the cross, Christ endured the cup of God’s wrath that is poured out on sin. That is the gospel.

What do you say to your friend who says, “I’m beyond the pale of the gospel,” or in this instance, “I’m gay; I can’t become a Christian”? Whatever the objection, the answer is, categorically, no—Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. That is the gospel. That is the hope of the gospel. You know, as buttoned up as we look, Nathan, we are children of wrath.

BINGHAM: It took a lot of work this morning to look like this.

NICHOLS: It took a lot. We even had help. The point is, though, we are all sinners saved by grace.

This is a transcript of Stephen Nichols’ answer during our Always Ready: Answers to Tough Questions event and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.