As I read the Reuters article and saw the picture of Governor Christine Gregorie of Washington and those around her as she signed a law recognizing same-sex marriage, I couldn’t help but notice the smiles on their faces.   As people applauded, she said, “This is a proud moment…I’m proud of who and what we are as a state.”  She then suggested that all Washingtonians look into their hearts concerning the issue of same-sex marriage and treat each other equally.  Well, I must say I’m not shocked.  She is not the first and certainly won’t be the last of our political leaders to elevate themselves above God.  As she and those around her smiled at their accomplishment, I wonder what God was thinking?   

            From the beginning of the human race, God created marriage as a union between one man and one woman with Adam and Eve as our pattern to follow (Genesis 1-2).  Scripture makes this abundantly clear.  Jesus recognized this fact in answering a question concerning divorce in Matthew 19:3-6.  If God has made His moral standards regarding marriage plain, as He has, other types of relationships, such as homosexual relationships cannot be accepted as valid.  Unfortunately, in our pride, we have attempted to elevate our thinking above God’s in order to change what He has said so our sin can be seemingly more tolerable and therefore, more compassionate.  That’s what our postmodern world does; it denies God’s absolute truth in the name of tolerance on the false grounds of compassion.  Our problem is really due to the lack of our acknowledging the Divine authority of Scripture.  The unbiblical view of the marriage union is but one example of this.  But God has spoken clearly on this issue and the most important words to hear are His:   

–          “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)

–          “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be       put to death; they have committed perversion; their blood is upon them. (Leviticus 20:13)

These moral standards are not changed in the New Testament: 

–          “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions.  For their women exchanged natural relations for         those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” (Romans 1:26-27)

–          “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”           (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

–          “Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and their mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” (1 Timothy 1:9-10)    

            Our agreement with any of the above passages has no impact on their being true.  These are God’s Words, therefore, they are true.  We cannot, as a nation or as individuals continue to presume upon God’s grace and expect His blessings.  What did the apostle Paul say, “What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)  Some that Paul encountered in ministry believed that the gospel of grace gave them a license to sin.  Some believe the same thing today, but that is not what the Bible teaches.  There is a difference in knowing we are sinners who do sin, and having a willful desire to live in it.  Grace truly received creates a heart that aims to please God.  As a country, we bow our heads and pray for God’s blessing, our national leaders end their speeches with “God bless America” and all the while, we disregard His will concerning, not just the issue of marriage, but many issues in which He has spoken. Worst of all, we do it willfully.  That is sin and willful sin impacts our relationship with God and our seeking Him through prayer:   

–          “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

–          “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18)

–          “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)

–          “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.  But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)

            We don’t have to be perfect for God to answer prayer, if we did He wouldn’t answer anyone’s, but God knows the motive of all our hearts.  So maybe before the governor asks others to search their hearts, perhaps she should search her own.  God is not indifferent to our sin and no amount of disagreement with His Word on the issue of marriage makes it untrue.  For He has spoken.  That leaves us with a choice, either we agree with those words or we deny them.  God’s truth, no matter how much it conflicts with societies view is not “hate speech” nor is it unloving.  Expressed the right way, I would contend that it is love.  The greatest expression of love, however, came at the cross.  That is where, in spite of our sin, God provided a means for forgiveness.  That forgiveness comes only through Jesus Christ.  That’s the good news.  God’s power is greater than our sin, and out of His love, He gave us His Son who lived a perfect life, died and rose again.  The same power that brought Jesus from the grave is the same power that can save and keep you.  And if His power can do that, it can certainly conform your thinking to what He says regarding the issue of marriage.