The Seed Blog: Marriage is Awesome, Part 2

In the culture in which we live, with so many ideas about what constitutes marriage, relationships, and even gender itself, we need to take an in-depth look at exactly how God has designed the covenant of marriage. If you are not a Christian, you can believe and act any way you'd like in a relationship. [We] have no desire or right to judge you based on [our] beliefs; our only desire is to love and accept a non-believer with the same passion as Christ, until they see their worth in His eyes. But for those claiming a desire to know and love Jesus, [we] have an obligation to show how He designed marriage in His wisdom. No one has a right to change or bend a single word of Scriptures to fit a lifestyle, desires or sins. [If this Word needs to be changed, it is not worthy to be followed.] Understand that God's plans are more modern than the freshest ideas coming from social media and Hollywood. As we reveal the Scriptural Design for marriage today in these next lessons we will break every taboo, every trend, and every social and political rule in our society; in one great plunge, we will go from loving Christians to hypocrites and haters, simply because people do not realize that God's plan truly is the best, most loving, most fulfilling of all. As we reveal God's Plan, no matter where you come from or what your beliefs—wipe the slate clean, forget culture, forget your preconceived ideas, and listen with an open mind. God knows what He is doing: Psalm 18:30, Psalm 119:29-35, 37-39.

Let's start at the beginning, to see the absolute beauty of God's plan: Genesis 2:18, 21-25. God's plan very clearly shows that men and women are the only design that He ever intended, showing the intimate way the woman was created as a literal part of man—to be by his side, as one who completes everything that he is not. The beauty of how men and women complete each other physical, emotional, and mental is clearer today than ever; men and women are the picture of Christ and the church (this is so much deeper than sex). 1) Scriptures directly address our society's attitude towards the matter: Romans 1:21-22, 24-28, 32. 2) There is no founded evidence that homosexuality is genetically founded. (NARTH, Psychology Today). Without going into the great details of it all today, homosexuality is sometimes chosen, and sometimes an unchosen factor resulting from experiences, self-esteem, abuse, and influence. Can it become a part of someone, to the point they say, "This is just who I am!"? Absolutely—but so can anger, unforgiveness, infidelity, lust, stealing, lying, pride, and insecurity. Does that also make these things preferred or unchangeable? No. 3) The overwhelming secular evidence of the discontentment, dangers, and health concerns for those in a homosexual lifestyle shatter the model as a safe and happy alternate lifestyle. (Facts About Youth, FAY article, CDC, American Psychology Association): (higher rates of STDs, tobacco and drug use, depression, anxiety, mental health services). There is no doubt some have a, "homosexual nature..." But the truth is it is no more of a genetic certainty in their lives than any other lifestyle that many have tendencies towards, such as anger, lust, insecurities, etc. All of which are still factors which are changeable, and unhealthy; all of which are factors we have to wrestle with as fallen men and women. Romans 7:23-24. We must realize and accept as truth the homosexual lifestyle is not mentally, emotionally, physically or sexually healthy for the person living the lifestyle. We must also realize it does not mean Christians can feel hate, or think that homosexuals are weird, or worthy of condemnation any more than all other sins we commit, or that we can judge or condemn a non-believer for their choice to follow a homosexual lifestyle, if they do not proclaim Christ. They are dear brothers and sisters that need Christ, just as any other sinner. Our job is not to condemn, but to show their worth in their Creator's eyes; and if they choose Him, then we can show a better way. It does mean that, as Christians, we cannot accept this sin, any more than we can accept any other sin that keeps us from Christ. It means we must make known the lie of how it is an acceptable, safe, and happy lifestyle (out of love and fear for those caught in it); it means we must understand and trust that, God's way is superior, because He is the Designer. The unmistakable awesomeness and beauty in how God designed men and women comes together at every level in perfection and oneness. Homosexuality is not, and was not ever a part of God's Perfect Plan; and as a Christian, if you are involved in this lifestyle, you are not in God's Will, and He does have a better way—trust Him.
Another big question, that is so often misunderstood, and so often misconstrued to show totally unfounded prejudice, is the question of mixed marriages. Do you realize that in many states, interracial marriage was illegal up until 1967? Those laws represent strong feelings, but, was it based on Scripture? When talking about God's Perfect Design for marriage, should two people of different race be allowed to marry? For many years, and in many churches, this has been a resounding and powerful, "NO." Based upon verses like: Deuteronomy 7:3-4, Ezra 9:1-3. These verses have been used in ignorance, and sometimes in prejudice, to give merit to a completely unfounded unbiblical myth. Note in these verse, and in any verse found on this topic, the focus was not on the nationality, but the religious beliefs brought with the people of the nations. God had no problem then or now with interracial marriage; He had a very big problem with marrying outside of your faith. To do so would put your faith in jeopardy; it would stop you from working as one for His Glory and Plan. It is very apparent, even in the Old Testament this was the case, because Moses (a man called the friend of God), married a black woman from another country: Numbers 12:1. (A Cushite is from Cush, a region south of Ethiopia (in Africa) where, "black skinned" people lived in those days as well! (Jeremiah 13:23)). See God's response—He does not correct Moses, but Miriam & Aaron: Numbers 12:8-10. [It is very interesting how God punished Miriam—with leprosy, like snow—almost as if to say, "You treasure being white, let's make you extremely white"—with the ostracizing of lepers, to teach her how prejudice and rejection feels). Are there any obvious and blatant Scriptures about this matter?: Galatians 3:27-29, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, 1 Corinthians 7:39. 1) If we know Christ, we are all one race (the offspring of Abraham—of His Promise) 2) God makes only one division: believers and unbelievers (meaning marry anyone of any race, so long as they are a fellow believer). This is what makes them compatible, and nothing else. To be one in God's eyes, means we share a love and service to Him; if we cannot serve Him together, why would we ever choose to join with someone? Any union to a non-believer, will obviously be temptation to sin and loss of faith. The sad truth is many Christians today will date and marry someone of the same race, with no thought as to their faith in Christ (sometimes destroying their walk); yet, they will balk at an interracial marriage of two believers who are honoring and serving Christ with passion.
Get rid of all prejudices and political correctness, and get back to exactly what God’s Word says. The incredibly, beautifully, carefully, masterfully planned union of marriage is for one man and one woman, to come together as partners in every amazing way, glorying in and accepting differences in race, because we are all brothers and sisters in God, Who created us, as long as we share a faith and passion for our Creator, and we can devote ourselves as one in serving Him. That is the Biblical pattern for the beginnings of a beautiful marriage before God.