While I support the Biblical definition of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman for life. I also think that we need to maintain some perspective when debating this issue.
Homosexuality is a symptom and not the disease. It is a symptom of unbelief as is every other sin that the rest of us commit. We all, Christian or non-Christian, gay or straight, sin. There are no exceptions to this according to St. John (1 John 1:8). Paul tells us in Romans 1:18 that apart from Christ, we suppress the truth in unrighteousness. We hold down the truth under the surface of unrighteousness in order to drown it.
Does homosexual marriage have negative consequences? I believe it does. But so does a marriage with an alcoholic spouse. We have abusive marriages. We have marriages that are so geared toward financial success that the children are neglected. There are many ways to make marriage less than it ought to be. Some “Christian” marriages are as dysfunctional as homosexual unions. This understanding does not justify homosexual marriage, but it should give us reason to clean up our own mess before we start throwing stones at others.
The solution to the ills of our society will never be a political one. Politics seeks to change people’s behavior, not their hearts. Politics and government may achieve external conformity, but it will never bring unity.
It is the business of the Church to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. That good news tells the story of how Jesus can free us from bondage to all sin, sexual or otherwise. We are all in need of that freedom. If we start living in that freedom and lovingly reach out to those who desperately need it, then we have the beginnings of real change in our society.
But this change comes at a cost. The cost is that we have to acknowledge our own unbelief and pride, humble ourselves and admit that we have the same need of a Savior as those on whom we look down. If God has the power to save a ragged lot like us, then he can reach into society and change anyone.
We should stand on our convictions and unapologetically teach what the Bible teaches on every issue, including that of homosexuality. But we need to do this in humility. We need to let those to whom we teach know that we have not got this all worked out and that God has a lot of work left to do in us, reclaiming the damage done by the fall of Adam.
Instead of pointing at others as the cause of societies ills, we need to first come to terms with our own contribution to the chaos.
If we do this, we will earn the right to be heard.
Oma Beate says
October 1, 2013 at 8:52 PMHomosexuality is equally as sin as any other. Sin is a hurt, that God doesn’t WANT us to bear. I condemn homosexuality, because it is an intimate issue.God intents marriage between one husband and one wife to be a picture of our relationship to Himself, which in turn allows humans to create a new human in the image of God.
What God thinks about Homosexuality is more important than what you or i think and it is plain to see in nature at the example of the Dead Sea. Underneath is archeology proven Sodom and Gomorrah and NOTHING is created in the Dead Sea = totally against the very nature of our creator, who brings froth life everywhere.
Having said that: Homosexuality HAS to be condemned as anti God, anti society, anti family and anti creation.
Of course we can embrace Homosexuals just like other sinners and try to minister to them the love of God, but if they do not turn from their ways, same as alcoholic, pornographers, gossipers, backbiters….. we HAVE to shake the dust of our feet and let them perish in their sin. God is just and He will sort it all out.
The Holy Spirt will guide us is what Jesus told us, so we know all these things. If you do not believe God, well – Jesus sets you free to believe whatever you like, but God will not change and when you stand before Him, you will find out yourself what is wrong with Homosexuality. It’s that simple!
Mark McIntyre says
October 1, 2013 at 9:28 PMThanks for the comment. I agree that it is equally a sin. My point is that too often the church has focused on homosexuality and acted like it is the worst sin. The worst sin is unbelief and hardness of heart of which we are all guilty without God working in us to bring change.
PChalmers Moore says
April 1, 2013 at 1:30 PMHi Mark: I agree with your post. I believe one of the reasons why homosexuality is so prevalent in our generation is that many of us men grew up without a healthy male role model. That yearning for a male figure while going through puberty became skewed and the result was to come out of the closet, instead of dealing with the hurt and abandonment from our fathers. There is a lot of acceptance in the gay community. I do not see this so much in our Churches or other places of assemblies.
Personally, I have been very guilty of judging others for their sins, when I had my own issues with sin. I believe many men, Christian or otherwise, struggle with thoughts about same sex encounters, and some even act out on those thoughts.
The only remedy I see is developing a father son/daughter relationship with God the Father, through his Son, Yeshua (Jesus). This means devoting time to the Father so he can teach us how to live a life worthy of his calling. It’s not hard to do this, it just takes a little diligence. God Bless you, Mark.
Paul Moore
Mark McIntyre says
April 1, 2013 at 8:11 PMIt is sad to admit that those who struggle with same sex attraction find little or no acceptance or support in the church. Yet, sadly I can say that this has been my experience.
I sometimes wonder if we condemn homosexuality so loudly because this is an area in which most of us are not tempted. Perhaps we feel safe in our condemnation because it is one area where we feel that we will not fall.
I appreciate your thought about a healthy understanding of God as a loving father as putting us on the right track. This is true for all of us, regardless of sexual orientation. Thanks for sharing this important thought.
Doug says
March 29, 2013 at 8:58 AMHi Mark, Very well put! I so agree whole heartedly!
Mark McIntyre says
March 29, 2013 at 11:26 AMThanks Doug. I’m praying that this Easter will bring the beginning of revival in the church in America. May it begin with us. Happy Easter.