Do I believe gay marriage is OK? No, absolutely not.
Do I believe gay marriage should be legal? Yes, I do.
How can I, as a Christian, have both of those views? Because I believe there is a difference between what is morally right and what is legal.
I disagree with politicians who use the excuse that legalizing gay marriage is wrong because it would damage the sacredness of marriage and the family unit. Adultery does more damage to families and the institution of marriage than gay marriage ever will and adultery is not illegal in this country. Because of "political correctness" and the whole separation of Church and State thing, politicians don't have the guts to stand up and say what they really mean. Homosexuality is morally wrong and it is against God. THAT is why they are against it.
The problem with that is it's impossible to force morality on someone. You can't legalize morality. Gay couples are going to continue their lifestyles and live as married people whether we legalize it or not the same way women had abortions whether they were legal or not. Trying to force someone to live a moral life only causes more damage and drives that person farther away from God. God gave every single one of us the right to chose. We could accept Him and live according to His laws or we could reject His laws and live our own lives. If God gave them that choice, what right do we have to take it away? Let them make their choice. Let them answer to God for what they do. It is HIS law they are breaking.
Now, on the other hand, I do NOT believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry in the Church and I don't believe their marriages should be recognized by the Church, any Church. As representatives of God, Churches and Christians have an obligation to uphold the Law of God above all else. We also have an obligation to preach the truth to homosexuals, that what they are doing is wrong in the eyes of God. We are not to do this out of hatred or a judgmental heart, but out of love. We are to love homosexual people the same way God loves them. It is through that love and not through condemnation that we hope to draw them to God and away from their lives of sin. Christ reached sinners by showing them love when they expected punishment and that is what drew them to Him. It was only AFTER He had their hearts that He helped them turn their lives away from the sinful worlds they were trapped in.
We should do the same! Love the sinners. Love them with every ounce of our being. Reach out to them and love them the way God loves them. Draw them to God with the power of His love. Once they know that love, feel the power of that love, gently point out God's law, help them understand it and then leave it alone. Let the Holy Spirit do His work. Let God be the one to lead them to Himself and break the power of sin over their lives. Our only job is to lead them to Him. We're not supposed to fix them before they get there!
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