What If? A Thought for Advocates of 'Gay' Marriage.

In a recent sermon I gave, I was preaching on the Book of Acts 4:1-20. The background for this chapter was that the Apostles, Peter and John, had just healed a cripple in the name of Jesus.

Now the Apostles were preaching Jesus to the people and the religious leaders were disturbed. They arrested both Apostles and threw them in jail. The next day, they interrogated Peter and John, asking, "By what power or what name did you do this?" During the Apostles response they said, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."

After hearing the Apostles' testimony, the religious leaders were in a dilemma as to what to do. They talked among themselves, saying, "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done a great miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in his name."

After reading that, I was struck by the power of spiritual blindness. While they could not deny the miracle, they refused to believe it and the power of Christ. The saying is true, "There's none so blind as those who will not see."

With all the debate and argument about same-sex marriage, in which the news media and press have been clearly biased (don't get me started here), I would just like those in favor to pause and reflect on the question, "What if the Bible were right?" The Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, view homosexuality as a sin. If that were the case, it would be one's responsibility to warn those so engaged. This, by the way, goes for all sins.

The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:1; "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself." So to warn or oppose homosexuals and gay marriage is not homophobic, but motivated by a concern and love for the individual's spiritual well-being.

What if "gay marriage" was against God's will and less than the best thing? If the Bible is true, there is hope. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reads, in part, "... Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. 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."

There is forgiveness and the hope of a transformed life through the power of Christ, just as that cripple was transformed. If the Bible is correct and homosexuality is a sin that should be repented of, no matter what laws may be passed will not make it morally right. The Bible offers hope of a better way.

I'm sure someone reading this will be quick to challenge me with the reverse argument, "What if the Bible is wrong?" Fortunately, I don't have to answer that. The Bible itself answers that question; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-20 addresses it. In part, it states, "If there's no resurrection, there's no living Christ. And face it — if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors ... Not only that, but we would be guilty of telling a string of bare-faced lies about God, all these affidavits we passed on to you ... sheer fabrications, if there is no resurrection."

But, what if it is all true?