In 1993, Hawaii started pushing for equal rights for homosexual couples in America. Since then we've seen ever increasing efforts by state governments and other organizations to give same-sex couples the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, and in more recent years to legalize same-sex marriage.  There are currently 6 states that allow for same-sex marriage, and Washington state looks to become the 7th before long. This is an alarming trend in its own right, but even more alarming has been the growing number of churches who have begun not only accepting homosexual activity, but appointing homosexuals as elders and pastors.  In doing so, they are effectively giving approval to the idea that same-sex marriage should be made legal.  After all, if homosexuals can be pastors of churches, why shouldn't they be allowed to enter into the God ordained relationship of marriage?  This is the type of thing that prompted Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, confronting them for taking part in not only blatantly sinful activity, but even activity that is considered taboo by pagans! (1st Cor 5:1) Homosexual marriage is definitely something that is not universally accepted by the world, and should never be accepted by the church.  Marriage is defined biblically as a covenant relationship between one man and one woman.  Genesis 2:24 uses the nouns "man" and "wife" to describe marriage, with the word "wife" being synonymous to "married woman" in Greek.  This is important because culturally there are some people who will say that "wife" doesn't necessarily have to refer to a female, but that a male could also assume the role of "wife" in a marriage.  This idea holds no water and is a feeble attempt to distort the true definition of what marriage is.

There are several problems and dangers here that we must address as a church body from a Biblical worldview and perspective in order to avoid falling in line with one of two camps: Those who accept and approve of homosexuality and same-sex marriage or those who hate homosexuals and want nothing to do with them whatsoever, pronouncing them damned in our minds.  We must avoid condoning sinful behavior, but at the same time we have to avoid becoming Pharisaical.  We cannot condemn people in our minds, as though Jesus is not capable of saving someone out of the sin of homosexuality.

So, what's at stake here?  Well, for starters, the federal government is continuing to usurp its God given authority by attempting to re-define something it didn't create.  Marriage is not the property of the American government or any other political government and thus the government has no right to lay claim to it or change its definition and boundaries.  Marriage is a sacred institution, created by God and God alone, and the church cannot simply say "be subject to the governing authorities", taking Romans 13 wildly out of context.  Are we to obey the governing authorities?  Yes, Romans tells us this plainly!  It does not mean, however, that we are to obey the governing authorities above that of God.  The government is under God's authority, not the other way around.

Additionally, the culture is beginning to give more and more approval to a lifestyle that Romans chapter 1 says is a result of being given over by God to the sinful desires of the flesh.  Romans 1 tells us that as a result of worshiping the creature rather than the Creator, man is given over to "dishonorable passions", which includes the exchange of natural relations with those that are contrary to nature.  This should not come as a surprise to us, as our culture has been marked for decades by the worship of wealth, success, power and pretty much anything but the glory of the immortal God.  What we are seeing is exactly what Jesus said would happen.  "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)  We don't experience the threat of imprisonment or death for our belief in Christ, but we are seeing the culture continue in its hatred of God by the continual promotion of things that are directly opposed to God.  The question is, where will the line be drawn?  How far will the world go in its attempts to re-define marriage in the name of what it believes to be love?

Another thing that's at stake is our children.  As the push for the legalization of same-sex marriage increases, our children will be exposed more and more to the thinking and teaching that homosexuality and same-sex marriage is normal and ok.  Kids who go to public or even private schools will eventually have a teacher, principal or parent of a friend who is involved in either a homosexual relationship or who is married to someone of the same sex.  Kids will be taught, if they aren't already, that it’s simply a choice of whether to be attracted to members of the same sex or not and that either way is completely normal.  This is another method that the enemy will use to try to coerce our children into believing lies that the world would have them believe to be truths.  Our children will be taught that homosexual marriage should be celebrated as an advancement in equal rights for everyone and as a wonderful progression in society. This is absurd because homosexual marriage has nothing to do with equal rights!  It’s not an equal rights issue because homosexuality isn't something people have no control over, unlike their ethnicity for example.  To equate the fight for legalizing same-sex marriage to the fight against an issue like racism is extremely misguided.

Given the problems that are presented by the movement toward legalized same-sex marriage, how should the church respond?  I believe this is one of the most poorly handled topics in the church today.  There are many Christians and churches who don't know how to respond because they just don't like to think about it because it’s a very controversial and emotionally charged topic, and quite frankly it’s just easier to ignore it.  That may be the easy way to deal with this issue, but it certainly is not the Biblical way.  If we really want to be obedient and pleasing to God as a church, we can't hide from issues just because we're not comfortable with them.  We have to address homosexual marriage from a Biblical perspective so that we will be able to effectively share the Gospel with people who either support it or are involved themselves in it.  The question then is, what is the Biblical way to respond to the idea of same-sex marriage?

First, we have to examine our hearts and ask God to reveal any sinful thoughts or feelings we may have toward people who are homosexual.  We can't honor God in defending Biblical marriage if we are harboring hatred or judgment toward people promoting same-sex marriage.  If we think that way, we are believing that by not taking part in that lifestyle we are better than those who do.  That way of thinking is exactly what Jesus condemned the Pharisees for.  We must seek to view everyone in light of the Gospel, understanding that while everyone is deserving of death; God sovereignly gives grace and salvation to some from every tribe, tongue and nation.  We don't know who he will save, so we have to extend the Gospel to everyone!

In regard to the government, we have to cling to the authority of Scripture above all else.  When the government tries to re-define marriage and create laws to uphold that new definition, the church should not recognize that as authoritative.  We must hold fast to the Biblical model of marriage and not allow our culture and government to dissuade of from that.  That doesn't mean we should picket and protest and become violent against supporters of same-sex marriage, it just means we should not conform to what society tells us.  We should pray that God would put leaders in place who would use their positions of power to honor the Lord, not work in opposition to Him.  We should seek to persuade people who hold political office to view marriage Biblically, not from a cultural perspective only.  Ultimately, we should seek to be peacefully active in standing against the efforts of the government to change the legal definition of marriage.

In our culture, we will be confronted more and more with pressure to condone and give approval to same-sex marriage in the name of equality.  The danger will be, as mentioned before, to either slide in that direction of approval; or to swing all the way over to the position of bigotry and hatred.  Scripture gives us an example of how we should act toward the lost in the way Jesus dealt with the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11.  The Pharisees had brought a woman who had been found to be an adulterer before Jesus, in hopes that they would trick him into saying or doing something to bring a lawful charge against him.  Jesus replied to their questions about whether she should be stoned by saying, "Let him who is without win among you be the first to throw a stone at her."  Eventually, they all left, because no one could say they had no sin.  Versus 10-11 tell us, "Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'"

This is an example of extending grace to a sinner while simultaneously calling them to repentance.  This is how we should act toward people involved in or supporting same-sex marriage or homosexual relationships.  It’s no different than how we should act toward anyone who is lost without Christ!  We are called to love everyone and share the Gospel with everyone, trusting in God's sovereign grace to save those whom He will.  If we believe that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, enemies of God as Ephesians chapter 2 says; how can we not extend grace to those who don't believe?  Do we think we're better than them?  Let it not be so brothers and sisters!

Lastly, for our children, whether we are parents or not; we must train them up in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6)  We cannot allow the school systems to be the primary educator of our kids.  If we do that, we're playing right into the enemies' hand.  Satan would want us to simply send our kids to school and even take them to church on Sundays; but nothing more.  I pray that we would be a church that is marked by parents who disciple their children and teach them the truths of Scripture from the earliest possible age, not simply help them fit in with their friends in order to feel accepted by the world.  Parents are the single biggest influence in their kids' lives. Let’s use that influence to teach the love and truth of Jesus to our kids as faithfully as we can!

Brothers and sisters, this is a time in our country where we are beginning to see the seeds of persecution sprouting up around us.  Issues like same-sex marriage are becoming commonplace, and the Biblical stance against them is and will continue to be viewed as full of bias, bigotry and hatred.  We must have an answer for our conviction that goes beyond emotion and personal opinion or comfort.  We have to be studying the Word and praying constantly for God to increase our faith and obedience to Him.  May we be faithful to stand up for Biblical marriage without discriminating against those who oppose it.  "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)