Marriage on Trial

We live in a world where people make up truth for themselves, when what is right in God's eyes has become wrong in the eyes of some, and what God condemns, others condone. That's why it's important, as always, that we stand on the firm foundation of truth. Take heart from these words in Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we feel weak or overwhelmed, when our deeply held beliefs are threatened by the tides of culture, we can continue to be strong in the Lord.  And, remember, people are not our enemy - there are philosophies and perversions that are being spread by the enemy of our souls, the devil, who is corrupting the minds of those who do not adhere to the truth of the Scriptures.  We have to make sure we are not seduced by the enemy's lure and rely on the resources of Almighty God to withstand the onslaught.

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Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees on the issue of divorce. His response, found in Matthew 19, reinforced God's view of the wonderful institution of marriage:
4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

In those three verses, Jesus dealt with gender identity and the definition of marriage.  Those that attempt to integrate religion into the debate on marriage between same-sex partners have to skip over that passage, as well as the passage in Genesis 2, to which Jesus was referring, where God defined marriage.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on two questions concerning so-called "same-sex marriage."  Because of the importance of the case, there were two-and-a-half hours scheduled, 90 minutes greater than the usual one hour time frame.

According to a Baptist Press article:

The high court is considering two questions in the case: 1) Does the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution require a state "to license a marriage between two people of the same sex?" and 2) Does the 14th Amendment require a state "to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state?"

The case to be heard today is out of the Sixth Circuit.  The article provides this analysis:

In its 2-1 opinion, the Sixth Circuit panel acknowledged the legalization of gay marriage appears inevitable. In spite of what seems inevitable, the majority said states are permitted by Supreme Court precedent to define marriage. It is better if state voters or legislatures instead of judges determine an issue that has traditionally been in their purview, the majority explained.

Ken Connelly, legal counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), told Baptist Press that the Sixth Circuit opinion "gets it right on almost every issue." He is quoted as saying that, "Same-sex marriage is not a fundamental right, which is something that the other side likes to argue," adding, "It;s not deeply rooted in the history or tradition of the country. And frankly, the opposition is trying to shoehorn same-sex marriage into the fundamental right of marriage. But the fundamental right of marriage that the court has always understood the definition to be is the relation of husband and wife, man and woman."

As Jennifer Marshall of the Heritage Foundation points out on The Daily Signal website:

More than 50 million Americans have voted for laws affirming the definition of marriage as one man and one woman (representing more than 60 percent of those voting on the matter). But courts have not respected the constitutional authority of the American people and our elected representatives to make marriage policy.

Only 11 states have redefined marriage democratically. In the 37 states that currently recognize same-sex marriage, 26 have been forced to do so by courts.

Marshall spoke over the weekend at the March for Marriage in Washington, DC.  She posted some of her comments in that Daily Signal article.  After highlighting the plights of Aaron and Melissa Klein, Baronelle Stutzman, and Kelvin Cochran who were punished for standing for marriage, she said:

Marriage existed before this government, and before any government. Marriage brings together the two halves of humanity, for the future of humanity.

No Court can undo that.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard from those desiring to redefine what God has ordained, as well as those who would uphold this sacred institution.

In the latest edition of the Faith Radio Ministry Magazine, in a piece entitled, "Our Statement on Marriage," Faith Radio Board President Mark Williams states, regarding homosexuality:

God’s opposition to this lifestyle is so pronounced and so unequivocal that, for Christians, the issue is a settled matter where there is no middle ground.

I wrote in the Magazine that:

Traditional Biblical marriage is an expression of the plan of God. Gay marriage is a severe misapplication of God’s truth.

So, how do we respond?   Again, from Mark Williams:

As we wait for the Supreme Court to rule this summer, there is no need to fret or cower from what we know is truth. We should make our voices heard and pray knowing that none of this catches God by surprise. At Faith Radio, we will persist in presenting the biblical arguments in favor of marriage that is exclusively heterosexual. We will also pray and trust God with the results. He knows the results and we can trust Him with them.

So, today, echoing and correlating with those comments, regarding to the arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court and issues surrounding so-called "same-sex marriage," there are three words I want to share:

Pray.  It is important that we pray for the justices on the Supreme Court, that the truth that they heard today about the institution of marriage would permeate their hearts.  Pray that they would not put themselves in a position to compromise this sacred institution.

Stand.  We can continue to stand for God's truth about marriage, realizing there may be adverse circumstances because of our Biblical views.  But we can trust God to continue to give us strength and joy, knowing that we are aligned with His principles.

Prepare.  We hope for the best in the Supreme Court's decision, expected this summer.  But, if the outcome is that gay marriage will be legalized in all 50 states, then I believe we have to begin to think how we will respond to it.  Churches and businesses will need to develop a gameplan, in accordance with the Holy Spirit, Whom we can trust to give us direction.