SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS UNCHANGEABLE

Dearly Beloved, I sent out this message less than a month ago. However, the recent verdict of the US Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage will make me to resend this message. No matter any man-made law, THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS UNCHANGEABLE “For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV). Recently, I read an article titled, "Are Christians Changing Their Minds On Gay Marriage?” online. The writer of the article frowned at the views of some notable Christians in America that are changing their minds in favour of homosexuality. The writer also reiterated the stand of the Word of God on that abnormal act. As I read the article, I remembered the recent vote in favour of homosexuality in Republic of Ireland, a country that is supposedly dominated mainly by Christians. It is shameful that some churches also have accepted this deviant act and we now have gay pastors and even gay bishops! I just cannot imagine how such issue will become a debate or practice among Christians when the injunctions of the Holy Bible are very clear about it. Here are some of the injunctions: “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable” (Leviticus 18:22 NIV). “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads” (Leviticus 20:13 NIV). “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:26-27 NIV). “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV). “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me” (1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV). With these biblical injunctions, the practice or debate whether to consider or accept homosexuality in Christendom has been defeated and any right thinking Christian should stand against the act no matter how popular it is becoming in our society. The Word of God supersedes any other norm. Some so-called Christians may change their stands on any controversial issue, the Word of God stands firm and remains unchanged no matter the changing trends in the world. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will remain faithful to the Word of God no matter the popular trend around you.