KNOW THE PURPOSE

Maybe it's just me, but I still can't get to a place where I can comfortably use the word "gay" and "marriage" in the same sentence.

As a matter of fact, when it comes to referencing homosexuality, I don't like using the word "gay" at all because the original definition has nothing to do with one's sexual preference.  "Gay" has a very innocent word meaning "lively", "merry", or "bright".  Shoot, if anyone should be having "gay marriages", it should be HETEROSEXUALS.

So, when I read a commentary on yesterday about how on last Monday, in Los Angeles, homosexual marriage became legal, the first thing I thought about was the Word of God.  Aside from Romans 1 (which should scare anyone straight), I Corinthians 6:9-11 states pretty clearly God's thoughts on the lifestyle:

"Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God's kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob—these people will not inherit God's kingdom. In the past, some of you were like that, but you were washed clean. You were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

Now, before I go any further, let me say that this message is for people who are Bible believers.  If you don't adhere to scripture, I wouldn't expect you to accept this kind of theology.  Secondly, this isn't meant to bash homosexuals.  I have family members who are, I work with people who are and actually, someone that I really enjoy talking is a lesbian (and we have really stimulating conversations on this very issue). 

Also, I think it's very interesting how we, as a Church, claim to be so repulsed by homosexuality while we're fornicating, cheating on our spouses, lying on tax returns and gossiping about our neighbor. If you take issue with sin, it has to be ALL SIN.  At the same time, no matter how "accepted" homosexuality has become, that does not make it right in the eyes of God (Matthew 7:13, I Corinthians 3:19).  Whenever I get into these kinds of conversations with homosexuals, one of the things I tell them to support my point is that there is no way that I, myself, would volunteer to live an abstinent lifestyle.  I love having sex.  I don't do it because THE BIBLE SAYS NOT TO.  So, with that said, do I think that you can be homosexual and love God?  Yes.  When I was fornicating and aborting as a result, I believed that I loved him (with what I knew about God at the time).  And, of course, God loves those who participate in sexual sin...we are all his children

At the same time, since in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God (John 1:1) and "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16), if we want to show our love for God, we have to keep his Word.  I make the sacrifice to go without, not so much because I want to, but because I love him and the Word says not to.

I also work daily to abstain (I Corinthians 15:31) because I know that since the Enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he's the father of lies (John 8:44), that he will manipulate ways to take my focus from what is rightfully mine.

This is where the REAL POINT of my blog comes in.

The title of the commentary I read was "Pardon Me If I Don't Throw Rice".  The author, Joseph C. Phillips, was talking about how homosexuals who strive to get married, have missed the purpose of marriage in the first place:

"The purpose of marriage is not the demonstration of love and faithfulness; it is not about coupling.  Yes, those are important elements of a successful marriage, but the purpose of marriage is the bonding together of a man and a woman for the purposes of bearing and raising children to be active and contributing members of society.  The state encourages marriage through the granting of benefits because societies have rightly judged that traditional child centered marriage is best for children, best for the state, and ultimately best for the culture.  No traditional marriage is not and has never been perfection realized.  It is instead the grander idea to which all societies have striven since time immemorial, which is to say until a couple of California judges decided they knew better."

I have also had this conversation with homosexuals.  Sex makes two people one (Genesis 2:24)...the woman and man's body was created in such a way to make this happen.  At the same time, when couples are joined in covenant, one of the main purposes is to be "fruitful and multiply". (Genesis 1:28)  How can two of the same sex do that?  And, even in attempting it, how do you do it while respecting the sacredness of your covenant?  In other words, you have to go outside of one another to create life.  Talk about confusion (something God is not the author of, by the way---I Corinthians 14:33).

On the flip side, if we all decided to become homosexual, who would procreate?  Get my point?  The Enemy hates us all so much, he is so jealous of the fact that we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) that came up with a counterfeit way for our flesh to be satisfied in attempts to make humankind go extinct.  You can't "multiply life" in a homosexual lifestyle.  One way or another, some "heterosexualness", some going outside of the union, is going to have take place.

That got me back to the word for today, and believe it or not, it ain't homosexuality.  It's actually PURPOSE.  I think one of the reasons why so many of us are caught up into so much stuff is because we don't understand the true definition of this word:

Purpose: the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.; an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal; to intend; design.

No matter how much I enjoy the physical pleasures of sex, I have to accept the fact that it's purpose goes beyond that.  Indeed, that is a huge part, but it's to be for the pleasure of a man and his wife (I Corinthians 7:3-5).  It's to bring oneness and to create more life.  That is how God created and purposed for it to be.  Now, I can find all kinds of things to justify why I want to do what I want to do anyway, but just because I do doesn't mean that I should. 

As a Bible believer, I have to look at marriage in a similar fashion.  As a matter of fact, a big part of the reason why I am still single is because even as a heterosexual, I am still asking God to show me his purpose for it.  Time is revealing that it's not just about my liking some dude.  It's not just about getting someone to share the bills.  It's not just about me being sick and tired of sleeping alone.  Marriage is honorable (Hebrews 13:4) and I believe that one of the main purposes that it serves is to be reflect God, Christ and the Holy Spirit's union in the flesh.  As much as I may want to get married, as a Bible believer, doing it just because "I want to" is not enough.  Doing it because God has called me to it is what will please the Father.  As Paul said, marriage is a gift (I Corinthians 7:7). The thing about gifts is that you don't have to manipulate or fight to get them.  THEY ARE GIVEN TO YOU.

So, I'm with Joseph.  I'll save my rice for the real gay marriages. (I will have to find a way to use that later.  I just love it!)  In the meantime, I will continue to ask God to show me purpose over pleasure.  One breeds death, while the other brings forth life (Romans 8:13)

God's purpose for me is life (Jeremiah 29:11).  That's what I will choose.

***For more on Joseph's blog, go to: www.eurweb.com/story/eur44716.cfm