A Few Thoughts on Divorce and Same Sex Marriage

Mark 10 provides a simple summary of God's thoughts on divorce and the intentionality of marriage.  The Pharisees asked a sticky question with intent to stir the pot - "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"  Jesus responded by asking what Moses commanded (Deut 24:1-4).  Interestingly, the context and usage of the word "indecent" implies some type of improper or immoral sexual issue.  Moses permitted the certificate of divorce because their hearts were hard (Mark 10:5).

The point I want to highlight here is simply this.  Divorce is not God's plan.  We don't pursue divorce because marriage is inconvenient, someone else better comes along, we've fallen out of love, or it's just too difficult to get along.  A hard heart acts on the idea that I have been wronged and I'm not taking it.  A soft heart keeps no record of wrongs, forgives, and trusts God to restore the relationship.

Now a quick word about the cultural rage to tolerate and promote same sex relationships.  For the unbeliever, the Bible obviously holds no moral value or compass.  Yet, for those of us who claim to be followers of Christ, there are no gray areas here.  According to Mark 10:5-12, God made them male and female. The man would leave his parents and be united to his wife and the two would become one flesh.  They are no longer two, but one (sexually, spiritually).  Katy Perry may have kissed a girl and liked it, but it doesn't make it right.  Many of us could revel in all kinds of sexual sin and probably like it, but it's still sin, and sin leads to death. This is not a hate issue.  It's a sin issue.

I'm happy to report that even now Bonnie and I are walking a woman who has been in a lesbian relationship for years to health and healing.  When she told us about her partner and lifestyle, I was literally the first pastor that did not tell her she would burn in hell.  After she told her story, my response was simply, "Wow, it makes perfect sense why you would search for happiness in a female partner."  I did not validate her lifestyle, I simply acknowledged that it made sense in the natural why she would pursue it.  I'm happy to report that she has since broken that relationship and is now slowly pursuing Christ and a relationship with a man.  I never once told her what to do.  When God speaks to a person, it carries much more weight.  We simply loved  her!

As a father, I spend lots of time showing my kids the cultural trends, the daily headlines, and the places in pop culture that tell us why divorce, homosexuality, and sexual revelry are normal.  Our conversations are simply a comparison of what the media/culture promotes and how it lines up with God's word.  Praying they are wise enough to follow God's plan with tender hearts!