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By the time you read this the United States Supreme Court will have made a decision on the issue of same-sex marriage. I am writing this article a couple of weeks in advance of their announcement. This puts me at a distinct disadvantage. I’m not a prophet. I do not have the gift of foreseeing the future. However, God has given us a clear statement about his plan for creation. Psalm 8 is a tremendous testimony to his purpose for humankind.
It all starts with creation itself. God is eternal. Matter is not. The eternality of God is the basis for belief that he is the initiator of existence. Stephen Hawking, an astrophysicist (to say genius would be redundant), postulates that something, our universe, was “created” by no one. Atheism is counterintuitive. If a person can believe Genesis 1:1, then everything else that follows in Scripture is possible.
The evidence of God’s existence is found in the created order of the universe. People must be miseducated out of a belief in God. Within every person is a yearning to connect with something or Someone who is beyond himself. Creation cries out that there is a Creator. How nonsensical is the belief that nothing caused something to come into existence?
Humankind is the apex of God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-27). God put a man and woman as the first humans in a perfect environment. Well-meaning people wish to improve the lives of others by giving them housing, education and other benefits. The first couple was in the best environment possible. Yet, they still chose to disobey their Creator.
Our purpose is to bring glory to God. The imprint of Imago Dei is on every person. Although marred by Adam’s fall, God’s image continues in every human. This sets us apart from the animals. Animals and plants do not bear the image of God. Mankind’s duty is to be stewards of the environment, not worship it. God’s complementarian plan for man and woman is to live out specific roles.
Romans 1:20-32, tells the story of what happens when the Creator is replaced with the creation. When we fail to fit into God’s plan, tragedy is the result.
How did we get to this point? Why is there tragedy in this world? Why are babies born with cancer? Why do floods and tornadoes take the lives of sleeping families? Why do senseless murders take place? If God is all powerful and all loving, these things shouldn’t happen. God created everything perfect, yet he allowed his created beings to have a choice.
Before time began, Satan was an angelic being who rebelled against God (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, Luke 10:18). After God created earth and man, Satan appears as one who desires revenge. He is the tempter, accuser, murderer and liar. These are the descriptions given to Satan in the Bible. He seeks to keep people from giving glory to God.
Every person born with a human father has Adam’s nature. We want to go away from God, not toward him. Because of Adam we live in a sin-cursed environment. Everything is touched by the Fall.
Genetic deformities, environmental factors and spiritual proclivity toward some kind of sin contribute to our march away from our Creator. Lust is the passionate cry for something that never comes. We are all broken.
JESUS is the perfect man. Hebrews 2:6-9 says Jesus fulfills Psalm 8. Jesus is son of man to be crowned with glory and honor. Jesus is the one who has dominion over creation. He stilled the winds, walked on water and cursed the fig tree. He healed the sick, delivered the oppressed and raised the dead. The second person of the godhead became a man. He lived a perfect life. He died a vicarious death. He had a victorious resurrection. He promises eternal life to all who repent and believe. One day all things will be placed under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).
Gender confusion, same-sex attraction and legalized same-sex marriage are nothing more than the culmination of people rejecting the plan God has for a person’s true fulfillment. Questions of all sorts arise in churches, families and individuals. The Bible addresses every aspect of life. While many questions are perplexing, God gives us what we need to live for his glory. Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we can have victory in this life over our greatest challenges.
Believers will be mocked. Longstanding social norms are ridiculed. Simply voicing an opposing view based on Scripture characterizes a person as a hatemonger. Followers of Jesus are to speak the truth in love. Only the gospel can change lives. Let us be faithful to share it.
