NC Marriage Amendment

Some people may feel it is a Pastor’s job to tell those under His spiritual authority how to vote, especially when moral issues are at the forefront. I certainly don’t think that is my role as defined by the scriptures, but I do feel an obligation to place the issues at hand in a biblical context so followers of Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, can make this and all decisions with a clear conscious before God. With that said I wanted to just mention a couple of relevant scriptures.

From some very dark days in the life of Israel we see this simple, yet strong warning from God to His people through the prophet Isaiah –

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Without any further explanation we can see that giving a positive stamp of approval to things God defines as evil/darkness, etc. is very bad indeed.

Likewise, we see a similar idea in Romans chapter one when God describes mankind’s rejection of God and the attitude toward sin that reigns when He is not worshipped or obeyed –

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 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. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

It is worth noticing that verse 32, as a wrap up of all these various sins God condemns, makes special mention of those who “approve of those who practice them”.

All of these sins are bad and none are forgivable outside being reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning for our sin through the blood He shed for His people on the cross! The Bible makes it clear that we can only make real progress against sin in this life, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all who believe upon Jesus. Unfortunately, even though we have God's power to fight sin and we are comanded to repent (turn from sin to follow God), we still find sin as an unwelcome reality in our lives until we leave this life.  So we can’t be prideful toward people practicing homosexuality or any sin, just because we don’t now or may never have struggled with that particular sin. However, to call evil good is to disobey God and do great harm to society. Approving of sin not only encourages behavior that is harmful to all people, it also removes from our public life the very language of salvation.

Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The marriage amendment will be on the ballot May 8, a vote for the amendment is saying you want to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Essentially, a yes vote will make it more difficult for our state to give a stamp of approval to gay marriage in the future.

I pray you will make the decision on this issue based on the teachings of scripture as God guides you through His Holy Spirit!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson,
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."