Redefining Marriage
Rev. Angus Stewart
Sadly, the current UK civil government wants to redefine marriage so that it is no longer simply between a man and a woman, but also between a man and a man, and a woman and a woman. The new legislation would present the union between a man and a woman as only one of three options regarding "marriage."
The God who created human beings male or female has defined marriage as a one-flesh union between one man and one woman, as the Lord Jesus teaches (Matt. 19:4-5). This reflects the great mystery of Christ's unbreakable marriage with His beloved bride, the church, consisting of all His elect from the beginning to the end of the world (Eph. 5:32). Scripture's declaration that marriage is a lifelong bond between one man and one woman (Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:39) is well summarised in the historic wedding form: "as long as you both shall live" and "till death us do part."
Increased acceptance, approval and even encouragement of sins against the seventh commandment—fornication, adultery, pornography, divorce upon many grounds (sexual infidelity is the only ground, according to Christ in Matthew 5:32), remarriage while one's spouse is still living (Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:3; I Cor. 7:10-11) and sodomy and lesbianism (Rom. 1:26-27)—has paved the way for the state's push for same-sex marriage.
It is awful that our civil government should even contemplate "redefining" God's creation ordinance of marriage, something foundational to both the family and society. Changing such a basic law is a mark of a state turning into a terrifying "beast" which more and more marginalizes, squeezes and persecutes "the saints of the Most High" (Dan. 7:25).
It is even worse that many unfaithful churches, now and in the past, have had a role to play in this degeneration and undermining of marriage. Craven ministers have failed to preach boldly the whole counsel of God on marriage and spineless elders have not exercised church discipline upon impenitent offenders against the seventh commandment. Some of the apostate and false churches are even calling on the civil government to bring in same-sex marriages and promising to swing their doors open wide to perform these "weddings."
The Almighty is not mocked; He judges for sin and gives people over to their iniquity. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [down] the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom. 1:18). The only way of deliverance from sexual lusts and, indeed, the guilt, pollution and bondage of other sins as well, is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, crucified, risen and exalted as Lord and Saviour. By His Word and Spirit, Christ will continue to build His church of pardoned sinners and battling saints (I Cor. 6:9-11) and He will preserve it in the midst of the deepening darkness. God's irresistible grace will ensure that His church includes godly marriages and covenant children in Christ-honouring homes—until the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9)!