Author's note Oct. 24, 2020: The issue of same-sex marriage is still making waves. Not only between Christians and non but views between Christians differ as well.
This should not be so.
There are distinct reasons why a follower of Jesus, Christ can't condone same-sex marriage. We can't let the world's spin on the issue divide us.
I'm in the process of adding the Don't Kiss That Frog blog as a category here—I should have thought to do that before now! Nevertheless, I'm "sprucing up" the posts because—well, frankly, I'm a much better writer now thanks to my boss. :) I can express myself more clearly and these are important topics.
I need to add a few thoughts to this one.
You can't deny that the world is quite literally "rushing toward hell in a handbasket." As in, the devil, himself, is playing the part of the Pied Piper and the masses can't wait to rush after him not realizing where the end of the road lies for many.
In short, "political correctness" is getting entirely out of hand.
Christians, believers, followers of Jesus—whatever it is we call ourselves—must stop being complacent. We have to stop spinning the words of the Bible and making them fit our lifestyle so we can stay in our comfort zones.
We must.
I'm not the only one that feels that time is running out. It's getting pretty dark out there. If it's not as near as I, personally, believe it is, then, we have a lot of work to do in the meantime.
We're not going to do God much good in reaching people if we're divided amongst ourselves.
God needs us to pick up the Sword of Truth—which is the word of God—the Bible—it protects us from the liar. Moreover, His word unleashes supernatural power in our battles with him.
God needs us to be unified in the fight. It helps Him.
Let's help Him.
That said, here is my original post. Please, pause a moment to pray for discernment if you believe that same-sex marriage is permissible in God's eyes.
It isn't.
I am praying He uses these words to speak to your heart.
Original post: April 14, 2015
I wrestled with whether or not to address my thoughts on the Indiana/wedding cake issue here, but hesitated because I planned to ease into the discussion of our sin problem with the "basics" (i.e. language, greed, etc.). Then, a friend shared a blog post entitled Bake For Them Two by Jessica Kantrowitz last week on social media.
The title intrigued me because the topic was obvious and I recognized the scripture analogy (Matthew 5:38-42), but had never—even in the most remote sense—put that passage of scripture together with this topic. It's the passage about not holding a grudge and seek revenge but give to your enemies instead and forgive those who hurt you because in doing so, you're showing them the love of God.
Still, I wanted to know what she had to say. Maybe I'd missed something... I'm always open to learning.
So I read.
You can't connect her dots
I was trying to make the connection with her but, honestly, was having trouble for reasons I am compelled to share here.
A comment in parenthesis stating that she, personally, did not feel that gay marriage is immoral bothered me. My immediate response being, "Well, she should." It's certainly not the only immoral practice in this broken world, but it's definitely on the list.
I spent the next few days reading through the comments to see if anyone had voiced my thoughts as to how Jesus might address this matter. I disagreed with the author and if no one else had told her, I was going to do it.
I was struggling with how to broach the topic. I wanted to voice my thoughts in a way that caused people to actually contemplate what I said. She became overwhelmed with the vast number of comments before I had a chance and closed the section.
Ah, well, if she is meant to read my thoughts then I have no doubt God will put them in front of her. :) In the meantime, I've decided that I'm supposed to put this out there so, here we go.
It seems that the majority of comments published (by Christian or non) after her commentary hinged their view of gay marriage on whether or not they, personally, believe being gay is a sin. That's not our choice to make though. The Bible clearly states in numerous places that, yes, homosexuality is a sin.
That is not the issue here. I'll explain why.
We're all sinners. And, in God's eyes, a sin is a sin. That means no matter what it is—a little white lie or murder, for example—it renders us unworthy. God can't abide sin and we can't keep from it. Over and over again in scripture, God had His fill of how blatantly out of control things had gotten and washed His hands of us.
You can call it tough love or setting relationship boundaries.
Have you ever found it necessary to take a step back from someone and let them live with the consequences of their actions? God does, too. It doesn't mean He doesn't love us.
It's quite the opposite
When the people would truly repent, forgiveness was had. Then at some point, there they'd go again. That's why Jesus came—to save us from eternal separation from God. Many published comments on the blog made the point that Jesus never spoke of homosexuality and whether or not it was a sin. That's true. He did, however, reiterate His Father's view of marriage. "Haven't you read,” He replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” ~Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus, most certainly, would not have shunned the LGBTQ community. But, neither would He say, "Who cares what my Father says? YOLO, people... let's go for it!"
You know I'm right.
He'd have shown them the love of God because He wouldn't have hesitated to be their friend. He'd have shown them the love of God by sharing food, clothes... whatever they needed to provide physical comfort. He'd have shown them the love of God by sharing with all who would listen about the ways of His Father. His main reason for coming was to awaken the hearts of sinners after all—and to take the weight of the world's sin upon Himself.
But, would He be baking a cake (or two) for a wedding between two people of the same sex? Could Jesus condone marriage between two men or women by providing them a service celebrating their union?
He obviously knew God's views on the matter and would be going directly against what God deemed to be a sacred relationship between specific genders... No offense, but I'm clarifying that I'm speaking of the gender God physically created you to be. We aren't allowed to switch. We're not. We'll speak about that topic, but today we're focused on this one.
I need to stay on point. It's important that Christians understand the "why not" of it all where LQBTQ marriages are concerned. Apparently, there are lots of you who don't and use your lack of knowledge to attack those of us who are siding with God, Himself.
Blatant disregard for His Father's plan would mean that Jesus committed sin. Would that not have made His mission null and void?
You can't give me any other answer but yes.
You can't.
This is the man who faced every temptation known to us and did not succumb. He lived the only totally sin-free life in the history of the world. All the while knowing, by the way, that He was destined to die a gruesome death to atone for the sin of the world.
It was surely a terrifying thought after living as a man and experiencing "normal" instances of pain... Still, He willingly gave every drop of His precious blood to fulfill His mission of becoming a worthy sacrifice. Thereby creating the new covenant between man and God forevermore.
All we must do to be reconciled to God is but believe Jesus is the Son of God, acknowledge our sin before God, and tell Him of our need for Jesus, as Savior. Remember, please, I am not condemning any people group.
Actually, on second thought, sadly, I guess I am. It is the group that doesn't know or comes to know Jesus and their need for Him in their lives but does nothing about it.
Today, though, my focus is on a specific people group and how it pertains to the institution of marriage and its boundaries. Our society and some government officials and religious leaders are trying to tell us that what's wrong in the eyes of God is right.
That is where a Christian is to draw the line.
A line formed by love
God's word specifically instructs His people to abide by the law of the land.
Two specific New Testament examples can be found in Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17.
But there is an exception!
When our leaders, government, and/or society are going against what God has put into place, we are to take a stand with an emphatic no! Acts 5:17-42 tells the whole story, but in a nutshell, Peter and the other apostles sum it up in vs 29-32
“We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging Him on a cross. God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
We, Christians, are the only Bible many will ever see. If a person, gay or straight, is hungry or thirsty, I'll share what I have with them. If a person, gay or straight, needs a coat or shirt, I'll share what I have with them.
I won't continue the list, but I know how to be a helper. I understand the "love thy neighbor as thyself" importance of Christianity and try to cast no stones of judgment.
That's not my job.
I'm just a person like everyone else here.
But...
To allow the world to tell me that God's view on the matter of marriage just doesn't fly any longer and I should willingly embrace the "love one another" factor the way they spin it and just go with the flow?
I will not!
I will stand firm as Peter and the apostles did.
Same-sex marriage (and therefore, the celebration thereof) is not okay with God nor His Son. Saying that doesn't mean that I view any people group as lesser. It just means my loyalties must lie with God before man.
We are not to follow the "laws of the land"—or religious doctrine—when they blatantly go against the standards that God has set in place. That includes the sanctity of marriage being ordained to be a union between a man and a woman.
We are supposed to show kindness, support, and love to all, but we can do all of those things and still not submit to the "law of the land" where marriage is concerned. If the LQBTQ people in your life won't respect your belief, then, all you can do is pray about it. You shouldn't bend God's view to fit theirs, even though that's what would be easiest.
I haven't actually asked, but I'm fairly certain that the people in my life who are attracted to the same-sex know that I'd not feel comfortable attending their wedding if they chose to have one. I'm feeling pretty confident in saying that they wouldn't ban me from their lives because of it either.
The sins other people commit are between them and God.
All I'm supposed to do is point people in the direction of the One who loves them most. I don't get to decide whether they go to heaven or hell. I don't get to say I'm better than you because I don't *insert named sin here.*
I'm just supposed to keep trying to get it right myself and sharing what I learn along the way.
You're right when you say we shouldn't treat the LGBTQ community differently... in any other aspect of life but this one. Not because I say so by any means, we got our marching orders from the Highest Authority.
I have to mention here, too, that you who use the "a loving God wouldn't condemn someone for eternity because they insert sin of choice here," might want to reconsider.
He won't if they've accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Just the same as He won't condemn me for eternity when I sin. But, what if they haven't done that?
God isn't going to accept us into heaven on our conditions.
That's why Jesus came—to be the remedy for sin. The only remedy. Without Him, we are doomed to be separated from God for eternity... and you know the rest.
I hope you've read this with an open mind and heart.
I hope you will think about the possibility that sometimes love has to get tough and say, "I can't condone that because God says it should go like this." And, if your heart whispers that these words are true, please pass this along to others.
God needs us to unite as one body. We are the beacon of light that points to Him in a world that grows ever darker, many hearts can change because of it. Stand strong, brothers and sisters! Be bold and courageous!
God—the creator of the universe—has your back.
Until next time...
Love,
C
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