Dear Church Family,
This week, the Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 6239, also known as "The Marriage Equality Bill." If this bill is passed by the House (which is expected) and signed by the Governor (which she has stated she would do), same-sex marriage will become legal in our state. Obviously, this is not just a political issue; it is also a spiritual issue. As such, we need to ask "What does Scripture say?"
Before we look at Scripture, though, I want to give a word of caution. Remember, hate is not a Christian virtue or a family value. I know this issue stirs up a lot of emotions (and well it should), but let's not let hate rule the day. "They'll know we are Christians by our love" must be more than lyrics in a song.
The great challenge for Christians as they face the cultural issues of the day is to live out the teaching of Ephesians 4:15 where we are instructed about "speaking the truth in love." Now that's a hard balance to maintain. On the one hand, we can do well at speaking truth but do it in such an unloving way that it turns folks away from the Lord rather than drawing them to the Lord. On the other hand, we can be loving to the point where the truth gets forgotten and is never spoken. How can we do both, being loving while speaking the truth?
Perhaps we can move in love by remembering that homosexuals and lesbians are first of all people that God loves and for whom He sent His Son to die. Also, they are folks who live among us, work among us and go about their lives in many of the same ways as we do. They will watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, enjoy their snacks and the commercials and cheer on their team in the company of family and friends. Also, remember that in any given church there are members who have loved ones who are homosexuals or lesbians. They long for our first response towards their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters to be one of love rather than hate. That's the first part of our Ephesians 4:15 challenge. Now let's move on to the speaking the truth part. As in so many things, we'll look to the Savior.
One day, Jesus was asked a question about divorce. He answered that question and in doing so gave some foundational teaching about marriage. Here it is:
"Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.'" And he said, "'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together." (Matthew 19:4-6 NLT).
For the purpose of our present discussion regarding same-sex marriage, let's note two things from the teaching of Jesus in this passage: - First, sexual relations and marriage is to be between a male and a female.That's God's plan from the start. It's the natural order of things that has been foundational to civilization for thousands of years. What's unnatural is a man with a man or a woman with a woman. The apostle Paul expressed it this way: "...for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another..." (Romans 1:26-27 NLT). Regardless of which way our culture goes, let's not abandon the truth that sexual relations and marriage are to be between those of the opposite sex, not the same sex.
- Second, sexual relations and marriage are to be between one man and one woman. Notice that's it is "two are united into one." I bring this up because if marriage is redefined now to be between two people (regardless of gender), what's to say in the future it can't further be redefined as between a person and more than one other? Historically, our nation wouldn't allow Utah to become a state until polygamy was banned. Was that discrimination? No, it was just common sense. Maintaining that marriage is between a man and a woman is common sense as well.It's not discrimination. Believe me, if same-sex marriage becomes the accepted custom and law of the land, we'll see the day when proponents of marriage among multiple people press for their orientation/lifestyle to be made legal. Again, let's not lay the groundwork to abandon the truth that marriage is between one man and one woman.
I recognize that stating these truths may be painful for some to read. My intention is not to offend or cause pain. I understand that homosexuals and lesbians (and their families) have experienced enough pain and, yes, even rejection, from society and from the church. I don't want to add to that. I recall a conversation with a dad many years ago who had one adult child that was a heterosexual and another adult child who was homosexual. He shared they returned home for a visit, one with her spouse of the opposite sex and the other with his partner of the same sex. That dad so wanted it to be "natural" for his kids (both of them) and to be accepted as okay. Who among us can't sympathize with his longing and offer compassion. What we can't offer though, is to abandon truth and call "natural" that which God calls "unnatural." As we move with grace and love, let us also move with truth. It will be a hard balance and even harder with what is to come in our culture. We will need to depend upon the Holy Spirit.
We will also need courage which brings us to the film we'll show tonight, February 3, here at church. It is the film Courageous. It's about the struggles and challenges of parenthood, particularly fatherhood, in the real life situations of a small group of police officers. Many of you have seen it at the theater or on DVD. Join us at 7:00p.m. this evening for a free showing in our Main Auditorium.
God bless you! Keep the Faith! Speak the Truth in Love!
Pastor Mike Laramie
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