So What's the Right Way to View the Gay Marriage Debate as a Christian?
by Mitchell Moss
The U.S. Supreme Court building, where the issue of gay marriage is being debated.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/Wikiwopbop I got a certain number of responses to my last blog post about Christians who support gay marriage. One response I got essentially asked, “How should I feel about gay marriage as a Christian on a secular level?” In trying to answer, I came to realize that even after writing that piece taking everybody to task for lacking resolve, I still have a bit of cognitive dissonance in my own mind. On the one hand, I enjoy the freedom in the U.S. to practice my religion as I see fit, and those same freedoms make it possible for somebody else to live the way they see fit as well. I greatly enjoy that liberty. So when it comes to gay marriage, there’s an aspect of me that feels: “What do I care? They can have the same liberties I have that afford me the privilege of living my lifestyle.” But then on the other hand, there’s the clear and direct teaching of the Scriptures. So I go back and forth on the issue—I enjoy the secular governmental system we have in place that gives me freedom of religion. But I also know the difference between right and wrong, which is defined by our Creator.
The foundational principles of Scripture have more or less served as the foundation of society in the United States since its inception. Or as John Adams, second president of the United States, put it: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” The more people ignore the morals and religious foundation of the Constitution and the more they begin to judge what’s right and wrong based solely on secular man-made laws, the more inevitable it becomes that we will write into law whatever makes us feel good. And that’s the gay marriage debate now—men and women arguing that what makes them feel good (their homosexuality) should be recognized and institutionalized by the secular government. It ignores completely the moral underpinnings of the Constitution, arguing solely from that document itself (“equal protection under the law”).
Look, we live in what Paul called “this present evil age.” There is a god of this world, who is the prince of the power of the air. He is at work trying to undermine Jesus Christ and His message.
At this point, it seems gay marriage is inevitable in America—more than half the country supports it according to polls.
So as a Christian, here’s what I know is true. Practicing homosexuality is a sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
[11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
See All..., Romans 1:24-27 [24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
See All..., Romans 8:5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
See All...). God hates sin and will judge the earth according to its sins. As a nation, if we enact laws that institutionalize sin, we will reap what we sow. Whether abortion, gay marriage, injustice, greed, mistreating the poor or whatever else. God will judge the nations. He did it way back when with Sodom and Gamorrah, and He’ll do it in the future (Genesis 18:20And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
See All..., Genesis 19:13For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
See All...; Revelation 14:6-8 [6] And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
[7] Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
[8] And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
See All...).
My citizenship is in heaven. My King is Jesus Christ. The only goal that matters in my life is making my calling and election sure. My sole purpose is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I do not condone the practice of homosexuality—but neither is it my place to condemn people. In this present evil age, my responsibility is to live a life worthy of repentance, to let my light shine, to love my neighbor as myself, and to practice godly love. Sigh and cry over the abominations of the world, and pray every single day, “Your kingdom come!”
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