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| Volume 17 Number 6 June 2015 | Page 16 |
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| Volume 17 Number 6 June 2015 | Page 16 |
Gay Marriage?
Louis Rushmore, Editor
The word “oxymoron” at first glance might appear to be a reference to a moronic ox, but the definition of “oxymoron” really pertains to apparently contradictory words in an expression. On the other hand, some oxymorons may make one think about a moronic ox.
So called “gay marriage” is a serious oxymoron. As the word “gay,” meaning a practitioner of homosexuality, is coupled with the word “marriage,” there exists a biblically sinful contradiction, not just the appearance of a contradiction where there is none, but a real contradiction.
He who created man and woman essentially also instituted the first marriage, between Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:21-24). One man and one woman joined together by God (Matthew 19:6) from then onward through to the present has always been and is the God-given definition of marriage (Matthew 19:4-5). Everything else, although mankind may call it marriage, is outside God’s definition of marriage and is sinful (Matthew 19:9).
Specifically, homosexuality has always been condemned by God as sinful. More so, God considers homosexuality as worse than merely sinful, calling it an abomination. “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22 NKJV). Furthermore, under Old Testament Judaism, God determined that homosexuality was a capital offense, requiring death. “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13).
Yes, the New Testament to which everyone now living is bound and by which someday will be judged likewise condemns homosexuality. “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 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” (Romans 1:26-27). “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
The word “gay” when it is allowed to refer to what is glad or happy properly goes with the word “marriage.” In that sense, all marriages should be “gay.” However, when “gay” refers to homosexuality and is teamed up with “marriage,” it is not a true marriage at all. Instead, the combination of the two words “gay marriage” is an attempt to whitewash a sin that is so despicable that God calls it an abomination. Mankind can call homosexuality what it will, and governments can legalize it, but as far as God and the followers of God are concerned, so called “gay marriage” is nothing more than abominable sin.
“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!” (Isaiah 5:20). “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29).
Why Did Jesus Die?
Louis Rushmore, Editor
Someone asks, “Why did Jesus die?” He died for you and me so that we could be saved from our sins, whereby we could come into the presence of God spiritually on earth and later literally in heaven where God is. Mortals can be sanctified through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for mankind’s sins (Hebrews 10:10).
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another — He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:24-28 NKJV)
“Who Himself [Jesus Christ] bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5).
The death of Christ was the chief and most important benevolent act ever shown to mankind. God the Father sent Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:14), who willingly came into this world to ransom man’s souls back to God. Jesus Christ paid the ransom price by surrendering His sinless self to death on our behalf to make up for our sins (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Thereby, we mortals can have a relationship or fellowship with a sinless God, if we appropriate to ourselves the benefit of Christ’s sacrifice by obeying Him (Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus summarized this saving obedience in Mark 16:16 when He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”