Building off of Scott’s post on Canonical Form.
Essentially, if you are a Christian then you know that things that go against God’s law actually do not exist. Truth and the existence of Truth are firmly rooted in the metaphysical existence of God and all that He has created. Thus, anything that does not agree with the “Truth” is a “Lie.” This is why Satan is described by Jesus in the Scriptures as a murderer and the father of lies.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks [n]a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of [o]lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.
We know from the Scriptures that marriage is between a man and a woman (among other details mentioned in Scott’s post). Hence, the creation and/or existence of the concept such as ‘gay marriage’ does not actually exist in reference to the Truth. This line of thought should color aspects of our lives which I described in my post over there:
“There is a reason why I’m not offended by such things like ‘gay marriage’ and the reason for that is because gay marriage does not exist.
If many Christians were able to see that then they would actually be able to minister to those in those situations with God’s love rather than condemning them. Much like is in 1 Cor 5 that everyone has been talking about recently.
1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But [f]actually, I wrote to you not to associate [g]with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God [h]judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
It’s those who the Church who call themselves Christian that advocate homosexuality that should be “condemned” and removed [from the Church] (also see: Matthew 18).”
This does not just apply to gay marriage or homosexuality. Overall, Christians should be concerned with policing the members of the Church instead of those those in the world.
However, as I have mentioned before the vast majority of Christians are deceived. Often Christians are concerned with policing non-believers and not holding other Christians morally accountable for their actions. This leads to mass hypocrisy where Christians preach one thing to unbelievers while, at the same time, the unbelievers can see that other Christians are not living out what they preach.
Most other “hotbed” topics are like this. For example, take abortion.
There is beauty and fulfillment in having children and having a large family. Why do the Church and families insist on delaying marriage for convenience, careerism, perfect, money, or other things? Isn’t that what the world does?
The Church shows the world that it advocates against abortion, but by its own actions it doesn’t value family and children.
What if non-Christians could see the testimony of a well-run family with happy children? What if they could experience the joy and fulfillment that a large family has in its family gatherings? Perhaps that would change their perspective on the value of human life, children and family and turn them against abortion.
Almost half of marriages experience divorce, and many of the marriages that stay together are unhappy. It turns off many of the children growing up from marriage not to mention the incentives of men to avoid marriage because of the draconian laws against husbands. What if others could see and experience the joy of a fruitful and godly marriage? Isn’t that a testimony in itself?
In general, the Church has fallen to the deception of focusing on the wrong things. The Church needs to stop ‘taking offense’ and trying to police the world. Police your own, and focus on cultivating the beauty of your own testimony as shown through the light of your life. If we are indeed changed and transformed into Christ’s image then we should not only act like it but also value and prize it.
Note: haven’t been posting much because of RL work! Hopefully will be posting more in the near future.
