Galatians 4

“But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods.  But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces?  Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?  You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.  I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.” Galatians 4:8-10 (HCSB)

In recent years, the United States has legalized same-sex marriage.  Because these daily email devotionals go out to several foreign countries, some of you have asked for my opinion concerning this issue.

Personally, it doesn’t much matter what I think.  It’s what the Bible says that matters, and I hope you are continually weighing my observations, insights, and opinions by God’s Word, as you should with anyone else.  My ministry goal is to encourage people to read the Bible one chapter daily.  You build your faith by raising your Biblical literacy.  If you have limited time and are trying to decide between reading the day’s Bible chapter or reading my devotional, please read the Bible!

That being said, I do have Bible-based opinions on gay marriage.  First, the Bible is clear that all sex outside of heterosexual marriage is a sin.  (Hebrews 13:4)  The Bible is clear that marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman.  (Genesis 2:21-24, Matthew 19:4-6) Furthermore, the Bible is very clear as to God’s feelings about homosexual behavior. (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9)

The Bible is also clear that homosexuality is just as forgivable as all other sins: sins like pride, adultery, idol-worshipping, murder, or lying.  (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)  God promises strength for victory over sin.  (1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Pertaining to today’s passage, it does not shock me that same-sex couples want to be married.  Apart from heeding the direction of God’s Spirit, which is given to all true believers, the non-believer does not have the correct motive or desire to abstain from worldly pursuits.

To me, three great tragedies surround the legalization of gay marriage.  The first is focused on believers in Jesus who refuse to take a stand for fear of offending the gay community.  To them, I would say: Now you have offended God.

The second tragedy is focused on the “pseudo-Christian” pastors who perform gay marriage services.  There is a reckoning forthcoming.

And thirdly, perhaps most tragically, those professing to be Christians living the gay lifestyle have been sold a false gospel.  It is heresy to claim to have been set free from the elemental forces of our sin nature, accept the Grace of Jesus, claim to be called by His name, yet purposely and continuously live in defiance of the commands, precepts, statutes, and requirements that God established for His followers.