Same sex marriage thwarts God’s purpose

THE EDITOR; It was reported recently that a Christian church in Canada has agreed to marry gay couples. I am a bit confused. Why such a decision? You see, the Christian Church must be faithful to God’s Word in all things.

For this reason it must oppose homosexuality and the gay lifestyle, recognising such as sin. However, at the same time, Christians must be willing to reach out in love to homosexuals, extending to them the grace that leads us all to Christ’s forgiveness. Homosexuality is both a sin against God and mankind. It runs contrary to the divine plan, purpose, and will of God who created us in His image (Genesis 1:27) and redeemed us so that this image, marred because of sin, might be renewed (Colossians 3:10). Most fundamentally, homosexuality is sin because it perverts the created order of human sexuality, the heterosexual fulfilment of both man and woman (I Corinthians 7: 2-5).

In creating the first man and woman, God ultimately established the family consisting of a father, a mother, and eventually children. Society is founded on this social unit, which propagates the human race. In total contrast, the lifestyle and practice of homosexual couples establish a social unit that thwarts that process and the creative purposes of God for humanity. Clearly the Bible states homosexual practice is sin. Scriptures, which denounce homosexuality, are found in both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible speaks repeatedly about God’s divinely ordained plan of heterosexual relationships and marriage. (Genesis 1:28). (Romans 1:26, 27) This New Testament passage is the most pointed and clear condemnation of homosexuality (among men or women) in the Bible. “Women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones... Men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”

Some pro-homosexual advocates try to refute the biblical injunctions against homosexuality by saying the Bible speaks against promiscuity and prostitution, not against loving, committed gay relationships. Some unfaithful spouses of heterosexual marriages have tried to justify adultery on the same grounds, but nowhere does Scripture suggest that loving, committed relationships of any kind can turn sin into righteousness. God does not permit mankind to reinterpret the clear teaching of Scripture to justify personal sinful desires. As Christians, we must ask what Paul meant in Romans by calling homosexual acts unnatural (Romans 1:26, 27). Human logic tells us they are unnatural because if practised universally, the human race would soon die out. Some churches have been influenced by revelations of homosexual clergy within their ranks, and have responded by advocating a gay-friendly theology of compassion. But lowering God’s holy standards to mankind’s sinful preferences is an abomination in God’s sight.

Also, many homosexuals believe that their desires are normal and that they have a right to express them. But God does not obligate nor encourage us to fulfil all our desires (even normal ones). Those desires that violate His laws must be controlled. However, alongside God’s condemnation of sin is His offer of forgiveness. Remember, God can and will forgive sexual sins just as He forgives other sins. Finally, it must be said that as Christians, we all must surrender ourselves to the grace and mercy of God, asking Him to show us the way out of sin and into the light of His freedom and His love. Prayer, Bible study, and strong support in a Christian church can help gaining strength to resist temptations, through the overwhelming power of Jesus Christ.

COLVIN  BLAIZE
Chaguanas