Verses the fundamentalists never bring up

As I've mentioned elsewhere on this site, there are links (see my Homopages section) to other Web pages which cover the six Scriptures most commonly used to argue that homosexuality is a sin and/or that gay people will go to hell. Those Web pages discuss the topic in such fine detail and are so well-researched that it would simply be a repetition to include them here.

Rather than approach this subject from the negative side, that is, arguing that the six Scriptures don't prove that gays aren't included in God's family, I prefer to argue why all of the rest of the Scriptures prove that we are! Here are some Scriptures the fundamentalists never bring up.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn of many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.  ~ Romans 8:28-30

We cannot come to God and love Him unless He has first chosen us.

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will -- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.  ~ Ephesians 1:4-6

The people who believe in Him were chosen long before they were ever born.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  ~ Romans 8:22-23, and note

But more interestingly, the study note for this Scripture:

-firstfruits of the Spirit.  The Christian's possession of the Holy Spirit is not only evidence of his present salvation but also a pledge of his future inheritance - and not only a pledge but also the down payment on that inheritance.

-redemption of our bodies.  The resurrection, as the final stage of our adoption. The first stage was God's predestination of our adoption; the second is our present inclusion as children of God.

The following Scripture echoes the concept:

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession -- to the praise of His glory.  ~ Ephesians 1:13-14

When we believe the Gospel (and therefore believe in the life, death and resurrection of Christ), we are marked as God's own and a member of His family by being given the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is both evidence and a guarantee of our faith, membership, and inheritance.

Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."  ~ Acts 10:47

The voice spoke from Heaven a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."  ~ Acts 11:9

If God has called someone good, we do not have the right to challenge Him. To judge someone else ourselves is to question God's authority and place no faith in His ability to do what is right.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  ~ Colossians 3:11-12

We are all united in Christ as believers. This means that our social norms, dogmas and stereotypes must step aside when they disagree with the Lord's will because He is above those things. Instead, recognizing that we are one family in Christ, we are always to behave peaceably and lovingly toward each other.

To put it all together:

We cannot come to God against His will and love Him unless He has first chosen us (Rom. 8:28-30). The people who believe in Him were chosen long before they were ever born (Eph. 1:4-6). When we believe the Gospel (and therefore believe in the life, death and resurrection of Christ), we are marked as God's own and a member of His family by being given the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is both evidence and a guarantee of our faith, membership, and inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14). If God has called someone good in this way, we do not have the right to challenge Him (Acts 10:47, 11:9). We are all united in Christ as believers (Col. 3:11-12). This means that our social norms, dogmas, and stereotypes must step aside when they disagree with the Lord's will because He is above those things. Instead, recognizing that we are one family in Christ, we are always to behave peaceably and lovingly toward each other (Col. 3:11-12).

My argument, reinforced by the above Scriptures, is this: If we were not called, we would not come to Him and believe. The very fact that gay believers exist is proof that God sees fit to call gay people into His family. This is regardless of what opinions any church, official, or average Joe may hold about the matter. We, as Christians, are expected to rise above our perceived differences and see each other through the Lord's eyes!