WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT?
New series: What does the Bible say about issues in our day?
Sometimes theological
Sometimes hot topics of the day
From the perspective of the Bible
Authority of God’s Word–
Statement of faith affirms:
“The Holy Scriptures . . . are the final authority for faith and life.”
But do we live that way?
Is the Bible the last word, or are our opinions the most important?
Distinction between Ralph’s word and GOD’S Word.
My opinion is not our final authority–nor is any other human opinion!
I will try to make clear when I’m speaking on what God’s Word says and when I’m saying what I think about an issue.
Sometimes we will draw implications I see, based on what God says.
But we will try to always tell you which we are doing.
How do we apply the clear principles of God’s Word to a not-so-clear cultural context in 21st century America?
That’s an issue we must deal with in a message like tonight’s.
So, what DOES the Bible say about the Marriage Amendment?
Nothing!
At least nothing directly about the wisdom of a Constitution amendment.
It says a great deal about the foundational issues which underlie such an amendment–especially about marriage!
Let’s begin there . . . .
WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD SAY ABOUT MARRIAGE?
Genesis 2 => Matt. 5, Eph. 5
Gen 2:18-25
Matt. 19:4-6
Eph. 5:22-31
Marriage in Scripture is always presented as the symbol of purity.
It is the object lesson God uses to demonstrate what the church is supposed to be like–God’s bride, pure and undefiled.
Everything about it is represented as pure.
The fact that humanity has perverted it’s nature, doesn’t change God’s standard.
WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD SAY ABOUT “ALTERNATE LIFESTYLES?”
Genesis 18:20-21; 19:13
Homosexual practice is the center-piece of Sodom’s sin
But their practice goes beyond homosexuality to rape and all kinds of sexual
perversion.
Lev. 19:22, 24-30
Same-sex relationships are a detestable thing in God’s sight.
They are common among the pagan nations.
But they have no place among God’s people!
He is clear about cutting off fellowship with God’s people when they practice homosexual relationships.
They are to be cut off from God’s people.
It’s clear that God detests it; but it’s a normal practice among pagans.
It will never be acceptable to God.
It will never be appropriate among God’s people.
Rom. 1:21-27
1 Cor. 6:9-11
All refer to homosexual practice.
Everywhere in Scripture homosexual practice is the symbol of perversion.
While not every person who practices it is totally committed to all kinds of perversion–some are victims of it–it is frequentlyassociated with all kinds of perversion (as is heterosexual “liberation”).
The agenda of activists is to make it look good while always “stretching the envelope” and drawing others in.
Nothing is said about a homosexual “orientation.”
Nothing is said about whether there is such a thing.
Some Christians believe there is. (Bill’s friend)
Others don’t believe there is.
The Bible doesn’t mention it–either way!
Wherever the desire may come from, the instruction to walk in the Spirit, rather than pursue desires our flesh produces, is clear.
We have been cleansed from those desires.
My opinion–there seem to be Christians who struggle with this temptation.
God’s people avoid this sin as they should ANY sin!–whatever its source!
It appears in the list alongside other sins.
It’s not worse in God’s sight than other sins–the kind we commit.
BUT it must be dealt with as SIN–NOT avoided or ignored as some ask us to do.
Similar to the debate on sexually transmitted diseases, where we’re asked to treat those illnesses differently than the way we treat other communicable diseases, . . .
We’re asked to treat this sin differently, not call it a sin and not preach that we should avoid it, as we do other sin.
(& the consequences of sin)
1 Timothy 3:1-5
Notice the attitudes and priorities of the people on the street in the last days.
Do we see the development of similar attitudes on our streets?
What kinds of causes are they identified with?
Open prophetical question: Why isn’t U.S. more visible in last days?
Risk of judgment–cp. Sodom
“If God doesn’t judge us, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom!”
“Babylon”–some think that might be U.S.–modern equivalent to Rome.
What does the Bible say about a constitutional amendment?
Nothing.
Is a constitutional amendment a true fix? No!
The problem is the heart of people who don’t want to submit to God nor to His standards.
Some would say:
In the light of the run-away judicial system, we have to do SOMETHING.
That’s a reasonable argument.
There’s room for disagreement on whether this is the best fix available to us.
It WON’T fix the long-term problem.
It may be a good “band-aid” but the activists WILL find a way around it! It’s embedded in their hearts!
Would I vote for it? I’M SURE I WOULD
But I wouldn’t reject people who believe in our moral values who come to a different conclusion on the issue of the amendment itself.
What does the Bible say about dealing with a “reconstructionist” judicial system?
THAT’S A BIGGER PRACTICAL PROBLEM!
I believe we ought to vote for people who will attempt to fix that!
WHAT SHOULD WE DO? WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY TO US?
Pray for God’s will to be done.
To triumph over man-centered thought and power.
To triumph over evil–in favor of righteousness
Recognizing that to get to the end, we have to go through evil days
So, how should we pray–for HIS will and HIS glory!
Pray for awakening, revival, turning to Christ.
Revival HAS turned the tide from evil to righteousness!
Vote–in favor of righteousness
Exercise the right to influence the process in favor of godly moral values.
Vote responsibly to affect godly change in favor of righteousness and justice.
That’s how God has given us the opportunity to influence the process.
Acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
He WILL get it right!
Proclaim Good news! Focus on the gospel!
“I talked to 3 people this week. I told them how bad their sin (smoking) was!”
Concern about condemnatory attitudes toward pagans who act like pagans.
Sharing the gospel isn’t about condemning sinful people!
NOT condemnation of sinners–NOT rancor
It’s about showing how much God loves sinful people–enough to send His Son to die for them!
Good news! Christ came to liberate ALL sinners from bondage to sin!
Let’s focus on God’s way to transform society–the transformation of people’s hearts–turning to Christ!
People who are changed into new creatures in Christ will be transformed by the Holy Spirit and pursue a new lifestyle!