BACK TO THE BASIC: MARRIAGE AS GOD'S DESIGN

How should we as Christians react to the current issues surrounding
homosexual marriage? A clear understanding of God's purposes for
marriage helps us understand what's at stake if our culture redefines
what He originally created.
If you feel flustered when someone asks you to explain your views on the
issue of homosexual marriage, you are not alone. Many Christians may
perceive instinctively that gay marriage threatens the "sanctity" of
marriage and the world their children will live in, but what does that
mean?
Let's start by recalling God's blueprints that we find in Scripture.
When we speak of the "sanctity of marriage," we mean to say that
marriage is a holy and sacred institution created not by man, but by
God. That means it's not ours to tamper with or redefine.
Our authority is the Scripture. Two different passages in the first two
chapters of Genesis tell of the purposes God set forth for marriage. The
first is Genesis 1:26-28: Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image,
according to Our likeness ... God created man in His own image, in the
image of God He created him; male and female He created them ... and God
said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth ..."
1. Mirroring God's Image
The first critical purpose for marriage described here is to mirror
God's image. The Hebrew word for "mirror" means to reflect God, to
magnify, exalt and glorify Him. We are to be God's representatives to a
world that desperately needs to see who He is.
The union of a man and woman reflects the image of God by forming a
picture of the intimate relationship between Jesus Christ and His
followers. This is a theme that appears throughout the New Testament in
passages such as Ephesians 5:22-33. A husband's love and sacrifice for
his wife, for example, are pictures of Christ's love and sacrifice for
the Church.
Homosexuals have suggested for years that their practice is an
acceptable alternative lifestyle. Yet God makes it clear in Scripture
that homosexuality is not part of His design - it's actually rebellion
against the Designer. Romans 1:21-27 tells us that, as humans failed to
honor God, "God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women
exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the
same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and
burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing
indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of
their error."
2. Multiplying a Godly Legacy
A second purpose for marriage is found in Genesis 1:28 when God commands
Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth ..." The
most obvious aspect of this command is that God designed male and female
to join physically and reproduce children. Procreation is an integral
part of God's design for marriage.
In addition, God set up the family as a nurture center where children
grow up to learn character, values, and integrity. Psalm 78 instructs
parents to teach their children to "... put their confidence in God and
not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments ..."
Male-male or female-female relationships cannot produce children unless
something is done to assist them. While it is true that gay couples can
raise children, and can adopt needy children ... they will not multiply
a godly legacy when they are living in rebellion to God.
3. Mutually Completing One Another
Another of God's purposes for marriage is found in Genesis 2:18-24: Then
the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make
him a helper suitable for him." ... The Lord God fashioned into a woman
the rib which He had takenfrom the man, and brought her to the man. The
man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." For this
reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his
wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Adam was in isolation in the Garden of Eden, and so God created woman
for him. In 1 Corinthians 11:11, the Apostle Paul echoes the teachings
in Genesis 2 when he writes: "However, in the Lord, neither is woman
independent of man, nor is man independent of woman."
Male and female were created to be complementary to one another in every
way - from their emotional and spiritual needs to their anatomical
structure. The physical act of a husband and wife becoming one within
marriage is easily understood. They were designed by God for one
another.
However, two men or two women were not designed by God to become one
flesh with one another. The physical joining of two men or two women is
not a natural act.
Speak the truth in love
As you interact, balance truth with love and compassion.
No doubt you have joined most of America in watching news footage of
homosexuals coming out of the courthouse doors- new marriage license in
hand - and celebrating their "marriage" with a big kiss for the cameras.
How did that make you feel?
Now read instructions from Colossians 3:5-8: ... consider the members of
your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things
that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in
them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you
also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive
speech from your mouth.
This passage makes it clear that God's wrath is coming one day on those
who are the sons of disobedience, those who practice immorality, and
those who indulge in lustful passion. But without skipping a beat, it
also instructs us to not respond to those practices with anger, wrath,
malice, slander, or abusive speech.
The Bible doesn't stop there. Colossians 3:12-14 tells us: So, as those
who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with
one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against
anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all
these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
To be honest, the Christian response to the homosexual movement in our
country has often not been Christ-like. Not only is God displeased, but
also our views are easily dismissed when our opponents see anger and
disgust rather than kindness and compassion. Try these two steps before
you speak out on this issue:
Step One: Look in the Mirror
Before engaging homosexuals, ask for forgiveness for the things
Christians have said, done, or thought about homosexuals.
Jesus is very clear in His instructions to us. Before we stand to
address the sin we see in the life of another person, we need to spend
some time in front of the mirror (Matthew 7:4-5 and Galatians 6:1-2).
The reality is, there is enough sexual sin present in the church today
that we may find ourselves disqualified from being able to address
sexual sin in others. A fresh look at our own sexual sinfulness should
drive us to the foot of the cross, where we can again find hope and
forgiveness. Now, as those who have received the grace of God, we are
ready to offer it to others.
Step Two: Cultivate Compassion
Remember Jesus' encounter with a woman who was guilty of sexual sin?
John 8:1-11 tells the story of the religious leaders who brought a woman
to Christ who had been caught in the act of adultery. How did He
respond?
First, He rebuked the self-righteous religious leaders; He knew that
they were not motivated by compassion or kindness. He then turned to the
woman and with humility and gentleness, granted her forgiveness, and
exhorted her to holiness.
In the place of hearts that are full of anger and contempt for those who
practice homosexuality, God wants to cultivate in us a heart for those
who are living broken lives - whether they realize it or not. We are not
ready to speak to this issue until our hearts are broken for the person
who is caught in the snare of homosexual sin.
Remember the parable of the unmerciful slave? In Matthew 18:23-25, Jesus
tells of a man whose master had forgiven a huge debt. This man then
refused to forgive someone who owed him a little. Christ has forgiven us
of our great sin. How can we do anything but to humbly hold out the same
grace to others who are caught in sin?
In the months and years to come, some people who have either sampled or
participated actively in homosexual activities will be looking for a way
to deal with their shame and their guilt. They are going to be looking
for a way out of the lifestyle. Would these people even think to look to
the church for help?
Would they think of us as "kind people who really care about me" or as
angry, hate-filled men and women who will only make them feel more
ashamed of where they have been? Let's make sure that as we stand for
truth, we do it in a way that honors Christ.

MAMA

LIVING AS IF YOU WERE DEAD

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ
Jesus." - Romans 6:11

What are the things that arouse the strongest emotions in you? Perhaps
it is a rude motorist who cuts you off in traffic. Perhaps it is the
anger you feel when you are wrongfully accused. Perhaps it is
frustration that results from not having enough money to meet perceived
needs. When do emotions turn into sin?
Whenever our peace is upset over events and circumstances in life, we
have moved past emotions into sin. Sin says that circumstances of life
now dictate anxiety, worry, fear, or anger. Consider the attributes of a
dead man. He does not get angry when slandered. He does not worry about
the future. He does not fear what can be done to him. Why? Because he is
dead. Nothing can harm a dead man.
Christ said we are to live as if we are dead - dead to the temptation of
responding to stimuli in our life that are designed to stir up the
sinful nature that resides in each of us. We do not have to respond to
that nature; we can consider it dead. Christ said He is enough. When He
is our all in all, nothing can move us. If we are moved, then Christ is
not our all in all.

WILL YOU ENTER?

Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his
staff. - (Numbers 20:11)

Will you fulfill the destiny God has for your life? Perhaps you
have never thought about it. God had a perfect plan for Moses to
lead the people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. It's
been said the hardest place to score a touchdown is from the goal
line. You're almost there. But there is something about crossing
over that makes those last few yards the most difficult. Moses
failed at the goal line, and it prevented him from finishing well
a glorious life of service for God.
The people of Israel were complaining that they did not have
water to drink. It was another of many tests for Israel. Moses
inquired of God and God said, "...Speak to that rock before their
eyes and it will pour out its water" (Num. 20:8a). Moses, in his
frustration and anger with the people, began to act on his own
and made a strategic mistake. Instead of speaking to the rock, he
struck the rock twice with his staff. In spite of his
disobedience, the rock poured forth water.
God was calling Moses to a different dimension. Moses was to use
his words to speak the miracle. However, he not only lost his
temper, but he also took credit and dishonored God. He used his
staff, the symbol of his work life as a shepherd, to force the
provision.
When we become callous, we can use our skills and abilities to
force what we believe should happen. We take control. When we do
this, we are in danger of failing to enter the Promised Land of
blessing from God. Living in life's spiritual dimension requires
patience and obedience. Beware of solving problems in your own
strength. God wants to bring you into the Promised Land of His
blessing. But it will require walking in the spiritual dimension.

LEADERSHIP THAT FREES

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of
them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the
behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your
lives." - 1 Peter 3:1-2

"I am having a real problem with something that I need input from you
guys," said the lady in our fellowship group. "My husband wants to make
a major purchase that I am opposed to. We cannot afford it right now. I
understand what the Bible says about headship in the home, but what do I
do when I totally disagree with his decision?" The men in the group
looked at each other, realizing the sensitive nature of such a question,
especially in today's society.
Then someone said, "You really only have a few options if you adhere to
the principle that God has entrusted the man as the leader in the home.
God has placed you under the umbrella of His protection as well as your
husband. There are times when he will not make the right decision. Does
that mean God is not protecting you? No. There may be several things
working here. God may be testing your own obedience to this principle.
He may use you to open up your husband's spiritual life due to your
obedience and submissive spirit. Your obedience may cost your family
something, but it will be beneficial in the long term. Your alternative
is to rebel and pay him back for his decision by withholding your love
from him, which is often what a wife does in this situation. It becomes
a vicious circle of paybacks. My suggestion is to tell your husband how
you feel about his decision and the impact you feel it will have on you
and your family. If he still wants to make the purchase, you must let
him do it and support him. What happens next will rest in God's hand as
your ultimate protector."
A few weeks later our sister in Christ came to our meeting. "I have some
wonderful news. We did make the purchase. However, we were able to make
it in such a way that we did not go into debt and I was able to support
my husband. I have already seen a change in his attitude toward me by
the way I responded to him in this. It has been a real lesson for me. I
see him much more open to spiritual things since I made this decision
and supported him, even though I disagreed with it."
God has made man and woman equal in His sight. Yet He has given each a
different role to play in marriage. Husbands must answer to God for
their leadership in the home. They will be judged for that leadership.
When a wife submits to that leadership, God protects her from wrong
decisions of that husband, although sometimes it may not appear that way
at first.
You can trust God to protect you in your decisions that are made in
obedience to His Word.
The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it (1 Thessalonians
5:24).

LIVING FOR A GREATER CAUSE

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

What does it mean for workplace believers to live for a cause greater
than themselves in our day and time? Jeremiah Lanphier was a
businessman
in New York City who asked God to do this in his life in 1857.
In a small, darkened room, in the back of one of New York City's lesser
churches, a man prayed alone. His request of God was simple, but
earth-shattering: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" [John
Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press,
1992), 337]
He was a man approaching midlife without a wife or family, but he had
financial means. He made a decision to reject the "success syndrome"
that drove the city's businessmen and bankers. God used this
businessman
to turn New York City's commercial empire on its head. He began a
businessmen's prayer meeting on September 23, 1857. The meetings began
slowly, but within a few months 20 noonday meetings were convening
daily throughout the city. The New York Tribune and the New York Herald
issued articles of revival. It had become the city's biggest news. Now a
full-fledged revival, it moved outside New York. By spring of 1858,
2,000 met daily in Chicago's Metropolitan Theatre, and in Philadelphia
the meetings mushroomed into a four-month long tent meeting. Meetings
were held in Baltimore, Washington, Cincinnati, Chicago, New Orleans,
and Mobile. Thousands met to pray because one man stepped out. Annus
Mirabilis, the year of national revival, had begun.
This was an extraordinary move of God through one man. It was unique
because the movement was lead by businessmen, a group long considered
the least prone to any form of evangelical fervor, and it had started
on Wall Street, the most unlikely of all places to begin.
Could God do something extraordinary through you? Take a step. Ask God
to do mighty things through you.

PASSING THE TESTS

"The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of
your neighbors-to David." - 1 Samuel 28:17b

When God anoints a person, a pattern of testing appears to take place
at specific times in the leader's life. God often takes each leader
through four major tests to determine if that person will achieve God's
ultimate call on his or her life. The person's response to these tests is
the deciding factor in whether they can advance to the next level of
responsibility in God's Kingdom.
Control-Control is one of the first tests. Saul spent most of his time
as king trying to prevent others from getting what he had. Saul never
got to the place with God in which he was a grateful recipient of God's
goodness to him. Saul was a religious controller. This control led to
disobedience and ultimately being rejected by God because Saul no longer
was a vessel God could use.
Bitterness-Every major character in the Bible was hurt by another
person at one time or another. Jesus was hurt deeply when Judas, a trusted
follower, betrayed Him. Despite knowing this was going to happen, Jesus
responded by washing Judas' feet. Every anointed leader will have a
Judas experience at one time or another. God watches us to see how we will
respond to this test. Will we take up an offense? Will we retaliate? It
is one of the most difficult tests to pass.
Power-Power is the opposite of servanthood. Jesus had all authority in
Heaven and earth, so satan tempted Jesus at the top of the mountain to
use His power to remove Himself from a difficult circumstance. How will
we use the power and influence God has entrusted to us? Do we seek to
gain more power? There is a common phrase in the investment community,
"He who has the gold rules." Jesus modeled the opposite. He was the
ultimate servant leader.
Greed-This is a difficult one. Money has the ability to have great
influence for either good or bad. When it is a focus in our life, it
becomes a tool of destruction. When it is a by-product, it can become a great
blessing. Many leaders started out well-only to be derailed once
prosperity became a part of their life. There are thousands who can blossom
spiritually in adversity; only a few can thrive spiritually under
prosperity.
As leaders, we must be aware when we are being tested. You can be
confident that each one of these tests will be thrown your way if God calls
you for His purposes. Will you pass these tests? Ask for God's grace
today to walk through these tests victoriously.