Gods View of Gay and Lesbian Marriage

I was asked the question by one of my sweet adopted daughters (at least I consider her mine), doesn't God want us to respect each other and when they want to be married or adopt shouldn't we respect that? I have given this question much thought and have looked to the scripture for the answers. In this I will try to give Gods perspective when it comes to this subject, but as always, don't believe it because a man (or woman in my case) says it, look to what God says in his word. Look it up in the Bible and read what He has to say.

First let me say that as I embark on territory that most don't like to even talk about, I do it with love not hate. There have been to many people hurt, physically and mentally by those that spew hate messages on this subject. I do not hate gays and lesbians, I have some people in my own life that have chosen this way of life that I love dearly. We have to learn as Christians how to love like Christ loved but still stand for the truth that the bible teaches. That is what I hope to reveal to you in this note.

So where did marriage start? .....

In the beginning when God created man, Adam was alone and given the job of naming the animals. As the animals were named, each had a mate. He would name the male and the female each with their own name. I am sure at this point he began to see that something was different, he did not have a mate. So, God put him to sleep and created woman to be his mate. This is the first instance in scripture that God shows us his intention for marriage. One man and one woman. (Genesis 1 and 2)

Genesis 2:24 says "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" God says when a man and a woman join together they shall become one. That is Gods intention, that we become one. Then in Genesis 1:27 God says "So God created man in His own image: in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

So what is God saying here, what does He mean? He is saying that both man and woman were created in His image. You say, how can that be when we are so different? True, but let me explain. Man was created in Gods image and carries Gods masculine qualities. Woman was created in Gods image and carries Gods feminine qualities. So together, man and woman most closely reflect Gods complete image. This was His design, man and woman would come together through marriage and most closely reflect Him and His qualities.

So what does the bible have to say when man decides to deviate from his plan and moves to sexual impurity and homosexuality?

Leviticus 18:22 - "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination"

1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 - "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God."

In Old Testament times - in Leviticus 20:13 - the punishment for homosexual behavior was death. This was done so that sin would not overcome the nation.

In Genesis 18 and 19 we are told about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both were so full of what God called wicked sexual immorality that he destroys them saving only Lot and his family.

In Romans 1:24-32 Paul writes about those that choose unrighteousness. Verses 26 and 27 say this: "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."

OK, so we have scripture that shows us what Gods view is of homosexuality is. He considers it sexual sin, an abomination. Back to the original question, Does God want us to respect one another and a persons choice? Well, the answer is yes and no.

Absolutely, yes, God wants us to love and respect one another no matter what our choices are. He does not however want us to condone sin. He tells us to turn from sin ourselves and to warn other to do the same. None of us will ever be perfect, we are flesh and blood. But there is one who is perfect, his name is Jesus Christ. And he came to this earth over 2000 years ago, died on the cross, rose again on the third day so that our sins would be paid for. It is only through accepting that He died on the cross for us and making Him Lord of our life that we are acceptable in Gods eyes. Then comes the second part, we must turn from our sin and follow Gods truth revealed to us in His word.

So the most loving thing we can do for those caught up in homosexuality is not to just accept their decision to live the way they want so we can co-exist peacefully. It is to tell them the truth, that God considers what they are doing sin. That one day we will all have to stand before God and answer for our sins. But also, there is a way to become acceptable in God eyes and that is through Jesus Christ. We must show them that we do love them, that we love them so much that we would not want them to parish. We must show them that we love them by being concerned about their eternity and wanting them to be with us in heaven