Soiled Saints – Gay Marriage and the Truth behind the Ted Haggard Scandal
The latest scandal in Christendom relates to the (ex) pastor Ted Haggard, and the issue of same-sex marriage. Without rehashing the scandal, I would like to discuss the misunderstanding that many have of the Christian message and some very strong reasons for the opposition to gay marriage by Evangelicals.
The Bible teaches that there has only ever been one sinless person Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. The rest of us are very imperfect creatures who struggle against a darker side – our sin nature. The reason for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was to pay the penalty for our sins and provide the only way of reconciliation with God. To accept this free gift, we must turn from our sins, and submit all (if imperfectly) to His Lordship. Then we are redeemed and given new life!
Although every Christian receives a helper (the Holy Spirit) in the battle against our sin nature; it remains a lifelong struggle. When we make mistakes (and we will), we are to confess our sins and freely receive God’s forgiveness. One should always remember that the Church is not a country club for perfect people; it is a hospital for sinners (to paraphrase a well-known evangelist).
One might ask: If we are all sinners then why the opposition to gay marriage? Even though redeemed individuals remain vulnerable to temptation, it would be exceedingly evil to affirm a lifestyle that greatly strengthens the darker side of our natures. The longer a sin goes on, the more it will be empowered to dominate one’s life.
Though people may not like hearing it, the Bible clearly teaches that living the homosexual lifestyle is a sin (along with adultery, murder, abortion, cohabitation, child molestation, and many others). Those who are unrepentant and give themselves to sin are in danger of eternal separation from God. To affirm sinful behavior is to trap many within a lifestyle that is self-destructive both to this life and, ultimately, the next.
By the Grace of God all of the sins of humanity, including those of homosexuality, can be forgiven; redemption is free to all who come to Jesus Christ for mercy. But to turn from sin, people must know the Truth; they must first recognize their sin!
For the Christian to affirm the homosexual lifestyle is not an act of love, it is an act of supreme callousness. If we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, then we must also warn of such self-destructive lifestyles – we must NOT affirm them.
And we must remember that we are to speak the Truth always with humility and love!
