In recent days, much has been made about the legality or illegality of same-sex marriage. Thus it seems prudent to compare the Law of God with the law of man. Have we entered into uncharted waters? Certainly not.
According to the law of man, I am authorized and within my rights to divorce my spouse and to marry another (time and time again).
• However, according to the Law of God, I do not have such authorization. Jesus said, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matt. 19:9).
According to the law of man, I am authorized and within my rights to consume alcohol to the contentment of my heart as long as I do not get behind the wheel and operate a vehicle.
• However, according to the Law of God, I do not have such authorization. Paul told the Galatians that to participate in drunkenness meant that they “…will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21; cf. Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 6:10; Prov. 23:29-35; et. al.).
According to the law of man, I am authorized and within my rights to gamble away my paycheck.
• However, according to the Law of God, I do not have such authorization. The Bible teaches again and again that I have no right to participate in that which is born of greed, in rebellious attempts to circumvent the economic laws of God, or to be involved in that which destroys prosperity and corrodes moral discernment (Luke 11:39; Phil. 4:8; 1 Thess. 5:22; et. al.).
According to the law of man, I am authorized and within my rights to terminate a pregnancy and to abort any unwanted children.
•However, according to the Law of God, I do not have such authorization. The Bible is crystal clear that the LORD hates “…hands that shed innocent blood” (Prov. 6:17; Rom. 13:9; etc.).
According to the law of man, I am authorized and within my rights to officiate, sanction, and participate in same-sex marriages.
• However, according to the Law of God, I do not have such authorization. Jesus said, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matt. 19:4-6; cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Tim. 1:10).
We are resolved:
If the state permits what God condemns, we will not do it.
If the state commands what God condemns, we will not do it.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
—Bart
