Yesterday the New Jersey legislature’s judiciary committee heard testimony and passed a bill to legalize same sex marriage in New Jersey. The bill, entitled “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act”, will be read again before going to a vote in the State Assembly and Senate.
Marriage between one man and one woman is much more than a cultural or religious tradition. Marriage was created by God and woven into His created order. Genesis 2:23-24 reads, “This one, at last is bone of by bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.” This is why the Bible describes such behavior as “exchanging the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25).
If you are looking for a culturally informed biblical response on the topic of same-sex marriage I recommend the follwoing message by Albert Mohler.
How should we as Christian citizens respond to the current debate in our state?
First, pray. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
Second, be informed. The New Jersey Family Policy Council advocates for pro-family issues in New Jersey. You can sign up to receive their bulletins by email at njfpc.org or follow NJFPC on Facebook or Twitter.
Third, speak up. I agree with Mohler’s description of our role as Christians being “compassionate truth tellers.” Contact your state representative and voice your support for marriage. ALWAYS do with honor (1 Peter 2:17). Be bold sharing your convictions, but do so GRACEFULLY as Colossians 4:6 commands, “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” You can find a sample letter/email is provided from the New Jersey Family Policy Council.
Finally, make much of Christ and share the good news of the gospel. It is right that we care for our state and seek its welfare (Jeremiah 29:6) by promoting pro-marriage, pro-family legislation. However, political victories (or defeats for that matter) never result in new life. This only Jesus offers, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
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