After a few interesting conversations about the issue of gay marriage—in which my response was, “Before I give any type of opinion on the issue, I truly want to know God’s heart on the matter,” as I have been seeking God for wisdom on this matter for some time now—and yesterday, God gave me just that…
Back when I was lost in the deep and dark pit of sin that I chose to climb into, God LOVED me! Excuse me for being graphic, but even when I was mid-stroke with a woman, I was convicted and knew I should stop. Actually, there are times I did stop, although the times I didn’t stop were far greater in number. Yep, even though I knew it was a sin to fornicate, lie and deceive women, and commit idolatry, I boldly committed all of these sins, and many more. But thankfully, my sin never had any affect on God’s unconditional love for me.
God never stopped loving me. Thank you Lord…(big sigh of relief and gratitude)
In fact, God’s love is what ultimately caused me to turn from my wicked and sinful ways altogether. When I finally thought about all of my sinful and evil nature, and the fact that God loved me in spite of it—my heart couldn’t help but turn to Him!
All that said, today, many followers of Christ that I know are absolutely consumed by the issue of gay marriage. “We (Christ followers) can’t give them marriage!” one of my friends firmly remarked. To which I replied, “It’s not ours to give! As only God has the power to give and take it away.”
Truth is this, as long as satan can keep followers of Christ debating and arguing—as well as judging and condemning non-believers and sinners—over issues such as legalizing gay marriage, or legalizing abortion, he knows that we will not be busy doing what Jesus commissioned each of His followers to do:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Furthermore, satan also knows that followers of Christ will not be focused on doing what Jesus says are the the first and second greatest commandments:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Which finally brings me to the point of this journal entry:
If we, being true followers of Christ, instead of debating and arguing others over the issue of gay marriage, would channel all of our focus and efforts into loving God, and others as we love ourselves—including people who choose to live in sin: fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, murderers, idolators, and all other evildoers—in the same way that I could not help but turn from my wicked and sinful ways because of God’s unconditional love for me—I undoubtedly believe that other men and women—sinners like me—would not be able to help but turn from their sinful ways.
Yes, loving-kindness, all by itself, is enough to draw any man or woman to God:
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
One final thought: The first and second greatest commandments are not 1. Protect and preserve the holy and sacred office of marriage. 2. Protect and save unborn lives. But let me remind us again, that they are to love God, and others as we love ourselves.
Lord, help us all to realize that love is the answer…
Ian,
Thank you for directing me to your post. After reading your post, I am forced to conclude that you really never spoke to the question at hand. What do you think about gay marriage? Yes, I know that as believers we are to love everyone as the scriptures you listed clearly articulate. I can continue on listing more scripture references that refer to how believers should engage with and show compassion toward unbelievers. However, love is not the only thing that we are called to do as believers. Yes, it is where we should begin when dealing with individuals; however, that is not the only thing we are called to do as we represent Christ to the world.
1. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and
2. We are also called to be the salt and the light (Matthew 5:13-15).
As believers, it is easy to say let the world deal with its own issues. It is simple to just roll over and not make a stand for the Word of God and the Bible. We call that kind of love, tolerance, and we leave the world to try to figure out what is right based upon their own feelings and emotions when we know the truth. That is not loving and that is also not being the salt and the light.
Do I think that Christians need to fight and argue? No. I think that an issue like homosexuality is clearly outlined in the Word, and there is nothing to fight over. However, when other Christians are confused and think that marriage or the sanctity of human life is not something worth standing for, it burdens my heart. Much worse is the believer who thinks that these issues are confusing/debatable because it points to a flaw in his/her foundation which is a sad testimony to the modern church. This inattention to the very rudimentary knowledge that every believer should have after being saved is a cause for much prayer and weeping. I very much doubt believers would have been confused about these issues 40 years ago, and forgive me, I am sure that many are not confused today. But, the fact that you are writing this post shows that too many Christians are confused. So, how have we as the true Church gotten so out of touch with the Word that we are unable to answer the question of what a Christian ought to think about gay marriage?
Well, I can clearly answer the question. Based on the Bible, the Lord does not agree with homosexuality as a lifestyle. He clearly calls it a sin and worse an abomination. We can see that clearly in Romans 1, Leviticus 18 and 20, and other scriptures too numerous to list here. He also has already defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. No other type of marriage is acceptable to him no matter how kind or wonderful the individuals involved. In addition, if someone you know is confused about this you can read or listen to John Piper’s 2004 message on this matter, here http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/discerning-the-will-of-god-concerning-homosexuality-and-marriage. I think that it is well written.
In the meantime, I will continue to pray, that we would love others, speak the truth in love, think with the mind of Christ, and act as His representative on the earth.
Nicole,
Unfortunately, you mis-understood the purpose of my entry. So please allow me to explain:
1. My purpose for writing this entry was not to answer the question, “What do you think about gay marriage.” Instead, my purpose was simply to share what God revealed to me regarding the issue of gay marriage, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says,
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
In my opinion, the issue of gay marriage has become completely exhausted with passionate opinions like your own, and many others—thus, my personal opinion about gay marriage would be nothing more than just another log on an already blazing fire—which is exactly why I wanted to hear from the Lord.
2. At times, my excitement and my own intellect has caused me to overlook “the obvious”—that being said, I completely understand how you failed to realize that it goes without saying that I would—if asked by someone, or if prompted by the Holy Spirit—without any reservations, tell anyone that homosexuality is sin, or as you stated “an abomination to God,”—as are the following also: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:17-19).
All that said, love is still the answer.
I appreciate your insight. And I am certain that it will enlighten someone who reads it.
Thank your for sharing…blessings.
Amen to your loving kindness. When we ALL realize that we were sinners and that God doesn’t show favoritism, we can quit focusing on the plank in others’ eyes and look at ourselves: How am I fulfilling the Great Commission in showing a hurting world God’s Love and drawing souls to Him?
There are not shades of sin; for ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. When we realize that, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”, we realize that who are we to judge, and all our purpose is is to contain God’s Love and righteousness and say to sinners, “taste this, for it (The Gospel) is GOOD.
Lord, take away the deception of our selfishness and fill us with YOU that we may be vessels of YOUR mercy, grace and Love. Bring us into the supernatural that we may see your lost sheep as YOU see them, through YOUR eyes, and love them into the KIngdom, as YOU did with us…Let us not condemn the misused vessel as their fault, but let us see the real enemy in this and BIND him that the souls may turn to YOU Lord, and give their hearts to YOU. Amen.
Amen.
A classic debate can only be undisputed with the truth. Fornication is intended for population between man and women to conceive child.
It was written:
God has drawn us (man and women) with loving- kindness.
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. – Jeremiah 31:9
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called. Therein abide with GOD – 1 Corinthians 7:24
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. -Mark 10-6
And they twain shall be one flesh; so then they are no more twain but one flesh, 9.
what therefore God hath joined together, let no not man put asunder. Mark 10:8-9