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What’s wrong with same-sex marriage?
Andy Royals, Guest Column
January 15, 2015
3 MIN READ TIME

What’s wrong with same-sex marriage?

What’s wrong with same-sex marriage?
Andy Royals, Guest Column
January 15, 2015

Recently I read statements from Baptist leaders who seem to embrace same-sex marriage. They appear to be deviating from the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) position on homosexual behavior/lifestyle. Surely our fundamental commitment to scriptural doctrine concerning human sexuality will not change or be compromised. Consequently, I want to share some considerations for the question, “What’s wrong with same-sex marriage?” First, same-sex marriage is scripturally undefined. In other words, nowhere in the Bible will you find allowance for it or mentioned of it. However the Word of God does speak rather strongly to the issue of homosexuality and lesbianism in Leviticus 18:22-27, Romans 1:24-27, 32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

There are simply no clearer Old Testament and New Testament references to the sin of homosexual conduct than these passages of scripture.

Someone has said that Jesus never spoke against same-sex marriage. Well, Jesus never spoke for it either, as a matter of fact. However, Jesus did speak concerning marriage in Matthew 19:4-6. He quoted directly from Genesis 2:23-25. He said marriage is one man and one woman according to God’s divine design. This is scripturally defined marriage. Same-sex marriage is scripturally undefined.

Second, same-sex marriage is sexually unnatural. Anatomically, it is just not natural or right for men to have sex together and women to have sex together. God created and designed human sexuality both for procreation as well as for pleasure. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:4 that the Lord approves sexual intimacy between a husband (man) and wife (woman). This kind of marriage is sexually natural. Same-sex marriage is sexually unnatural. Finally, same-sex marriage is spiritually unacceptable. Here seems to be the issue: Can a practicing homosexual (man) or lesbian (woman) be saved? What does the Bible say in Romans 1:32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10? Anyone who habitually practices sin as a lifestyle, cannot be saved. Those who practice same-sex marriage absolutely are not saved. Same-sex marriage is spiritually unacceptable.

What is the hope for those in same-sex marriage involvement? It is the same hope for anyone in any sinful lifestyle – a changed life. First Corinthians 6:11 says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” The Lord hates the sin but He loves the sinner according to Romans 5:8. There is something wrong with same-sex marriage. There is something right with what Jesus can do to fix it.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Andy Royals is senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Lincolnton. Frank Page, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, published a clarification on the SBC position regarding homosexuality. His article is in the December 2014 edition of SBC Life. It is available at sbclife.net.)