This week we saw another implication of the widespread ‘gay’ movement. We had noted the incredible fuss created when Asher’s Bakers refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage on the basis of their Christian profession. But that was not us. That was in the North of Ireland. They, to a certain extent, being bound to UK law, were further down the track in the legislative race to the bottom.
It all came neared home when, this week, the Christian firm Beulah Print of Drogheda refused to print wedding stationary for a same-sex marriage. The event is planned for August by which time the Referendum on ‘Marriage Equality’ will have taken place and the couple will be counting on a Yes vote to give their big day the tag of Marriage instead of Civil Partnership.
All the government parties subscribe to the falsifying of the name of the Referendum. The inclusion of the word ‘Equality’ in the name for something which is most definitely not equal is quite counterfeit. Other jurisdictions called it Gay Marriage in contrast to Marriage but our leaders are more duplicitous.
Throughout Scripture marriage has been attacked, highjacked and polluted but remains the God intended foundation of his new society – the church.
It is a creation ordinance; ‘male and female he created them’ – equal status but different roles – and ‘be fruitful and multiply’ Genesis Chapters 1 verses 27/28.
Among the consequences of our rebellion recorded in Genesis Chapter 3 is the breakdown of the original marital harmony.
This led to the provision of divorce where adultery had broken the marriage bond.
Israel’s laws were constructed to preserve the purity of the race/religion. They were not to take foreign wives and when they did they found their wives introduced foreign gods and idolatry ensued (1Kings Chapter 11 verse 2).
The Christian Church, the new Israel, continues to take a high view of marriage and seeks to protect it 1Corinthians Chapter 7.
Christ’s relationship to the Church is that of a Bridegroom to his Bride – holy and without blemish. (Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 27). And in Revelation Chapter 19 we have the marriage supper of the Lamb in perfect unity and purity with his redeemed Church.
Christians are only too aware of the imperfections of heterosexual marriage. It was their sins that first led them to Christ for his forgiveness and acceptance into his family.
Ancient Corinth was similar to Ireland today and we read of the Gospel of God’s redeeming love bringing sinners to himself. “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.” Chapter 6 verses 9/11.
We are all there! Thank God his grace is big enough to bring repentant sinners home.