“If you don’t like gay marriage, don’t get one.” This phrase ignores what Christians are attempting to say about their beliefs concerning marriage. Christians care about homosexual marriage concerning more than themselves for a few reasons:
First, in many ways, sexual sins are different from other sins.
Second, God created and defined marriage and sex.
Third, when you care about someone, you don’t tolerate an action you know will hurt them.
(Note: I have already discussed why some Christians believe the Bible clearly says homosexual actions are sinful in my first article, and I discussed the topic of judgment in my second article. If you have comments about those topics, please post them on the appropriate article so as to stay on topic. Links are provided below for easy access. Thank you!)
Articles:
1. The misinterpretation of the Bible concerning whether homosexual acts are sinful or not.
2. The misinterpretation of the Bible concerning judgment.
3. The misrepresentation of those who respectfully support the sanctity of marriage.
4. Why Christians care about the homosexual lifestyle of others.
5. The loss of religious freedom in our churches and Christian institutions that I believe is to come.
First, in many ways, sexual sins are different from other sins (and I’m not only talking about homosexuality; I’m talking about adultery, cohabitation, sex outside of marriage, pornography, masturbation, trashy books, music, and movies, etc.). Here’s what the Bible has to say about that:
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
This verse shows us that sexual sins are sins against ourselves, and Christ lives in us. When a Christian sins against his or her own body, that person is also sinning against Christ, who paid our ransom from sin and Satan.
1 Peter 2:11 – Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
According to this verse, when we allow passions of the flesh invade our hearts, there’s a bigger, unseen battle.
Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.
This verse does not say, “Some people can get away with dishonoring marriage. Just let them.”
Ephesians 5:3 – But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
This verse does not say, “You can indulge here and there.” This verse makes it clear that even the slightest hint of a sexual sin is damaging.
Sexual sins have a way of possessing you. That is why the Bible is so strict concerning sexual sins. But remember this: while your sexual identity is a big part of you, it is not the main part of you. Your identity is not in your sexuality (whether gay, straight, bi, etc). Your identity is in Christ.
Second, God created marriage and sex. Let’s look at it this way: when you purchase something that comes with assembly directions, does it turn out better when you follow the designer’s directions or your own directions? Why would it be any different when it comes to sexual relationships and marriage? Sex and marriage were created by God for our pleasure and also to mirror His love for us. Doesn’t it make sense that for us to get the best experience, we follow God’s instructions?
Here is a quote by Dan Calabrese I found helpful: “God intends sex to be enjoyed within marriage between a man and a woman who are not closely related to each other, and He is very stern with those who engage in sexual immorality. That’s because God establishes that when you unite with someone physically, you also unite with them spiritually – and He only wants you to unite spiritually with one person. Your spouse. Of the opposite sex. Taking on the spiritual iniquity of others with whom you were never intended to unite is a very dangerous game, and God is trying to warn you against doing so.”
Remember that when two people marry, God says that they are united and become one. (Genesis 2:24 – That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”) Who are uniting yourself with?
Lastly, when you care about someone, you don’t tolerate an action you know will hurt them. A Christian view and world view of love is completely different. The world says love is tolerating people’s decisions by agreeing with them and endorsing them. The Christian view is to love by recognizing destructive behavior and by not enabling it.
I would even go so far as to say that Christians have the responsibility of taking a stand for the sanctity of marriage (and for all that God teaches us through the Bible). I believe this because of what is said in Matthew 5:19 – “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” The world may tolerate homosexuality – but that doesn’t mean Christians should.
If we know that someone is living a lifestyle where they sin against themselves and their Creator, a lifestyle that confuses and harms them – either physically or spiritually – is it right to close our eyes and ignore it? Is it right to let that person suffer the consequences when we could have helped? Or is it more loving to share with them the guidelines and the Gospel of forgiveness in the Bible? When we know someone is living a homosexual lifestyle, rather than silently tolerating it, we can let that person know we don’t agree with their lifestyle choices, but that we love them, that God loves them, and that forgiveness extends to homosexual actions just as it does to any other sinful action.
When we stand for God’s Word, we might lose friends when our loved ones feel we don’t accept them. We might not be accepted by society and viewed as intolerant and hateful. But don’t let that stop you from living the way God asks us to live. Don’t let that stop you from encouraging others to live the way God asks us to live. Don’t let that stop you from telling others about the Gospel and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.
I close with this verse:
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
broken quiet 