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How is it that many people of faith are confused asking, “Is same-sex marriage really that big a deal?”

If you believe in the traditional view of marriage and are convinced it is worth defending, then yes, it is a big deal. Why? Because the bedrock institution of traditional marriage has survived thousands of years across all cultures producing the best outcomes for children and society at large.

Frankly, all of the flurry with regard to same-sex marriage, and more specifically, the attack on marriage that we continue to witness on every front of society, strikes at the heart of the character, the authority, and the redemptive plan of God. Ultimately, the crisis we currently face and the crisis we have been facing for quite some time has not been about nor is it presently about same-sex marriage.

In this current climate, I believe the faithful Christian church is called by God to assert its Biblical position that sexuality is God’s good gift and that sexually chaste relationships are both possible and desirable, and that sexual passion is designed to be expressed only between a man and a woman in the context of a lifetime marriage. Ultimately, search the totality of Scripture and you will not find one positive statement about homosexuality – in any form – to any degree.

Herein lies the true crisis. For anyone to identify as a true faithful follower of Jesus Christ, Do I accept the Bible as the Word of God, as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do I not? Do I accept Scripture as a revelation from God, or do I trust in human knowledge, human learning, human understanding, and human reasons? Or, putting it more simply, do I, as a faithful follower of Christ Jesus, pin all my faith to, and subject all my thinking to, what I read in the Bible?

When Scripture speaks a clear word on any given topic, it speaks the final word. I pray we all would stop trying to explain why God has spoken in the way He has; the essential issue is what He has spoken.

If we redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage, is there any logical reason for us not to redefine marriage in other ways? There are those that are already demanding equality that promotes polygamy or group marriage. If marriage can be redefined to include two men or two women, why not allow marriage between a man and four women, or a group of six or seven adults and their various children?

Today, a popular error that has been made and continues to be made by many, is the attempt to blur the lines with regard to Christian ethics making “love” an omnipotent spiritual quality that has the power to validate anything that is done in its name. Under this particular line of thinking, one could justify any type of relationship, including those considered unacceptable and incompatible with Christian teaching and conduct.

Let us also consider the familiar, popular question, “What would Jesus do?” with regard to same-sex marriage?

It is extremely important to remember that Jesus reached out to sexual sinners frequently. However, He at no time ever attended or participated in any kind of ritual that celebrated immorality.

Today, the words intolerant and discrimination are powerful words and often used to squash any opinion about moral behavior. In fact, not only is the demand today to keep our opinions to ourselves as to what people do, the equal demand is to affirm a long list of various lifestyles no matter how questionable or experimental.

Compassion, communication, and care must be exercised with regard to the subject of same-sex marriage. That said, do we as a society really have the right to redefine marriage so it is elastic enough to include any grouping of adults?

Ultimately, showing support for, and more importantly, standing upon The Authority of Scripture “for marriage between one man and one woman” is not intolerant. If so, then nature itself would be intolerant. Marriage was established by God Himself and as a result, cannot be redefined by each new generation.

Same-sex marriage: on what Biblical basis?

None.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

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