A Believer's Response to Same Sex Marriage

With the decision of our state supreme court regarding homosexual marriage taking effect this month, I have spent some "windshield time" thinking about this issue. I'd like to share a few thoughts.
Are we really surprised that our culture by and large is okay with this? Romans 1:18-32 brings the case against mankind. Mankind has ignored the natural revelation of God and followed after gods of his own making. He has become wise in his own mind and Godly truth has become foolishness to him. Verse twenty eight says God gives them over to their debased minds. It is no surprise to me that our culture approves of wickedness, scripture tells us it will (v.32).
What makes homosexuality so much worse a sin in our minds? We see in I Corinthians 6:9-10 that sexual sins of all kinds as well as "lesser " sins such as theft, drunkenness, and covetousness will keep one from heaven. Look at verse 11, some of the church in Corinth were doing these things before they believed. It is not up to us to determine which sins are worse than others or who can and cannot be saved.
Some of us worry or fret about the condition or nation is in politically. While I advocate Christians being involved in the political process, the political process is not where our hope lies. We belong to the kingdom of heaven and our King is in control of all rulers and authorities. In fact, they are appointed by Him (Rom 13:1-2). Jesus, the King of kings, told His twelve disciples to be of good cheer just before He was executed by the Roman government who, by the way, was far more corrupt than our government (John 16:33). Why? He has overcome this world. Our hearts should break for these people who, like others, need to hear the gospel. It is the duty of the believer to share the gospel with love to everyone in humbleness. Ephesians 2:1-10 teaches us that without God's grace given to us, we would be dead in our sins too. We would be just as lost and Godly truth would be just as foolish to us if God had not made us alive spiritually. I like the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:10-14. Rather than condemn others for their sin, I need to humbly confess my own sins, then share the good news with others.

Looking Inward

It is easy to throw stones at others for goofing up what seems so obvious to us. Take the Israelites for example, God's chosen people by whom He would bless the nations. In spite of God's miraculous interventions on their behalf, the people still turned away after the gods of the surrounding nations. In Isaiah 48:5, God told the Israelites that He sent the prophets to them throughout their history so that when they were conquered and then restored, they would not give glory to their idols. Even King Solomon, who had direct interaction with God and was given incredible wisdom by Him, turned from the commandments of God and followed after false gods (I Kings 11:1-9).
How easy it is to sit in the recliner of history and look back scornfully at these people for their actions. However, do we ever stop to think about those in the future who will look back at us? While we puff ourselves up and marvel at the foolishness of others, do we then commit the same error? Isaiah 48:1-2 describes Israel as a nation that pays lip service to God, but does something entirely different with her actions. Rather than throw rocks at the nation of Israel for their rebellion, I think it would be wise to examine ourselves in light of their folly and see if their wicked way be in us.

Marriage and Christ

I attended my cousin's wedding this last weekend. It took place in a park-like setting in the middle of an orchard just outside of Shafter. The wedding went very well and it was nice to visit with family I have not seen in a while.

The wedding coordinator had a few games up her sleeve for the reception and because my son created allot of attention to me behind my back, I was chosen to play one. Five of us were chosen to wear various hats and asked to perform a dance to "YMCA." I lost the contest (appropriately enough, I wore a hard hat), which was just as well since the winner performed solo to "I'm too Sexy." Thanks, Nathan.

Driving home that night with marriage fresh on my mind, I began to think about the command Paul gave husbands concerning their wives in Ephesians 5:25-33. Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church. How did He do this? He gave up His life for her. Have you ever stopped to think about what that means? First, Jesus, Creator of the universe and part of the Godhead, left His position in heaven and became a man, submiting to earthly authorities as was the Father's will. This was the ultimate act of humbleness, the Creator becoming the created and subjecting Himself to the rigors of our lives on this cursed planet and ultimately allowing Himself to be put to death by mere men. Given this ultimate act of humbleness, we husbands can certainly humble ourselves in our relationship with our wives, not abusing the position given men as head.

Secondly, we see Christ's selflessness. We were not deserving of anything but punishment, but Christ took the punshment for us. We are too often selfish in our relationships. The standard Christ has set demands a selfless love of our wives. Selfless love is unconditionally committed to the welfare of the one loved regardless of personal cost.

Lastly, Christ displayed how He loved His church as His own body. Marriage is the picture Paul used to show the relationship Christ has with His church. As we became one with our wives according to scripture, so the church has become one with Christ. Christ cares for His "body" and one day the church will be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle. Do we care for our wives this way? Christ has set the bar high again. Paul tells us that no man hates his flesh but cares for and nourishes it. We must care for our wives as we do our own selves. To not care for her is to neglect your own body.