Ah, December . . . shimmering, white snow caressing the ground—and streets. But in time, traffic and dirt will alter the roadside snow, resulting in a sullied state.
Marriage is facing a similar plight. As some people call for same-sex unions, they use compelling arguments based in a progressivist view of history. Isn’t it good that women now vote and that slavery is abolished? Yes, that’s progress! Well, shouldn’t people be able to marry someone of the same gender? This sounds good, but God’s Word reveals something greater than progressive views; it contains the permanence of God’s perfect moral law and plans.
In God’s Word, we find that marriage is a God-ordained institution: “As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one’ ” (Ephesians 5:31). The apostle Paul then describes what marriage points to: “This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (Ephesians 5:32). Human marriage reflects the beauty of our relationship with Jesus as His bride (Ephesians 5:27)—He is the “head of the church” just as “a husband is the head of his wife” (Ephesians 5:23).
The loving authority of Jesus as our Savior and Lord is seen in these words: “Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead” (Colossians 1:18). How interesting it is to note that Jesus Himself said, “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage” (Matthew 22:30).
Marriage will not be needed in heaven, for the perfect union of Christ and His bride (the church) will be manifest. Marriage today, perfectly designed by God’s authority as between a man and woman, should honor and point to Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
More:
Read Matthew 25:1-13 and note who the characters in this story represent. What does the parable reveal about marriage and our relationship with Jesus?
Next:
What are other biblical reasons why marriage should be solely between a man and woman? Why is it important to understand the sacred way God views marriage?
alli on December 8, 2012 at 12:15 am
If they do that God will respond it is a fearful thought. Side note why is being african american equated with sexual sin the civil rights movement started in the church ppl mention slavery as if its not that bad..human trafficking is that bad as a descendant of slaves i know in the bible it lists menstealing (kidnapping and enslaving by force) along side homosexuality i believe and other sins. Slavery and oppression And homosexuality are both sins in the bible. Gods judgement will come is they ‘redefine marriage’ time to buy a boat
tom felten on December 10, 2012 at 10:09 am
Thanks for your thoughts, alli. Without a high view of God’s Word we will lack a high view of His view of marriage. May we seek to honor God and His Word.
alli on December 8, 2012 at 12:16 am
If they redefine..sorry
texas81 on December 8, 2012 at 8:44 am
Tom, God must have been speaking to you about this message. I am a married man who loves my wife very much, however I struggle with SSA. I was sexually abused by as young boy on more than one occasion by older male relatives. I did not know that was wrong at the time. Since that time, I have always had sexual feeling toward men. I did not want this. I always wanted a wife and children, which now I am so blessed. When the internet hit, that is when I started to go to websites I shouldn’t. I had freedom from sexual temptations for about two years, then I heard about a certain new fun website while watching my local tv news. That has been a huge downfall for me. I have once again gone through a Christian online program for overcoming homosexuality, but I continue to fall to the internet. I know what I do is wrong, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed that it seems I can’t stop myself. I know that is where the problem is. I can’t do it alone. It is Jesus Christ who can help me break this chain that hangs around my neck. I just ask for your prayers.
tom felten on December 10, 2012 at 10:20 am
Thanks for sharing, texas81. I’m so thankful we for the Holy Spirit who—as we yield to His conviction and are strengthened by His power—helps us overcome our struggles (John 14:16-17). You are in my prayers and I’m sure many others are joining me!
GChoo on December 8, 2012 at 12:07 pm
texas81, thank you for sharing your personal story and sorry to hear what you had been through.
Be praying to God to help you to find the way to overcome this temptation through seeking His Word. Being with a support group (human interaction) and getting the help you need through sexual addiction counselling may also help you. I am sure Tom and the other writers of ODJ will also be able to direct you with more helpful information. God bless.
josy on December 8, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Not to forget, when reading Eph 5:21, that the word “head” also means “completer” and is not understood in the same way we understand the word “head” today as a sort of overseer. In fact, Paul would have understood the role of “heart” to be the central thinking part of humans and not the way we use it today. Thus we get verses like Prov 23:7, Isaiah 6:10, Luke 9:47 and many many others, including Mary pondering in her heart.
dossk on December 8, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Tom, INDIA has entered into the fun of Homosexuality. Hinduism does not explicitly say a NO to this habit. But the Christianity distinctly says a NO. The unfortunate situation is that neither the Indian Theologians nor the Church in India, condemn this habit openly.There is a strong possibility that a number of Christian themselves[youngsters] may be practicing this horrible habit.
tom felten on December 10, 2012 at 10:24 am
May God’s grace and truth fill the church of India and beyond. Thanks for sharing, dossk.
OnMyWayHome on December 11, 2012 at 12:05 am
From my wife I’ve seen love up close. For me I never really understood it nor how to express it other than in a sexual situation. I saw this love come from her freely as it came from her mother. Their Love came from the Lord, it showed through them.
She now tells me openly ‘I Love You” and that I am her best friend, and that I now show her my love.
I’m responding from her love that she first showed me.
tom felten on December 11, 2012 at 7:59 am
Beautiful example, OnMyWayHome. You are a blessed man. May God give you and your wife many, many happy years together—loving and serving God, loving and serving each other, loving and serving others.
nivla on December 11, 2012 at 2:33 am
texas81,
you’re in my prayers. being a SSA struggler myself, only Jesus’ help us can get us through these things..
Only He can give us real freedom and blameless holiness. Let’s hold on to Him.
Godbless..
tom felten on December 11, 2012 at 8:02 am
nivla, thanks for sharing your struggle, but also the victory you’ve found in Jesus. Your message is inspiring!
nivla on December 11, 2012 at 2:34 am
only Jesus’ help can get us through…
texas81 on December 12, 2012 at 7:15 am
nivla, you are so right that only Jesus can help us get through this. My heart and soul so desire to be free, yet my body screams loud in the other direction. I always just wanted to be “normal”, but I realize this is a temptation that Satan is always going to be throwing my way. It will be only by running from these temptations as Joseph did and by wearing the Armor of God if I am able to defeat the enemy. Thanks for all of your prayers. God bless and grant you freedom too.