The film "Girl Friend" was opposed by many sections of the society. While the accompanied violence from certain sections cannot be condoned the film nevertheless raises an important question. Can the same-sex marriages be blessed? In June 2002, the synod of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster authorized its bishop to produce a service for blessing same-sex unions, to be used in any parish of the diocese that requests it. A number of synod members walked out to protest the decision. The world renowned Anglican theologian J. I. Packer was one of those who walked out.
Why can't the church bless same -sex marriages? Because this decision as J. I. Packer clearly states "falsifies the gospel of Christ, abandons the authority of Scripture, jeopardizes the salvation of fellow human beings, and betrays the church in its God-appointed role as the bastion and bulwark of divine truth."
In 1 Corinthians Paul addresses the advocates of lawless spirituality. This is what he writes inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Cor. 6:9-10).
When Paul presents a list of vices he speaks of lifestyles, recurring behaviour types, habits of mind and deeds. Paul is not speaking of single lapses followed by repentance, forgiveness, and better alertness against repetition, but ways of life in which some of his readers were establish, believing that for Christians there was no harm in them. Paul clearly warns that these habits are sinful and if not repented of and forsaken, will keep people out of God's kingdom of salvation. Undoubtedly lack of moral discernment lies at the heart of self indulgence and free from self discipline and self-denial. Those who claim to be Christ's should avoid the practice of same -sex physical connection for heterosexual intercourse. Christians need to resist these urges, since acting them out cannot please God. In Romans 1:26 Paul spokes similarly about lesbian behaviour.
The good news is that those who as lost sinners, cast themselves in genuine faith on Christ and so receive the Holy Spirit, as all Christians do find transformation of their lives. They gain cleansing of conscience, acceptance with God, and strength to resist and not act out the particular temptations they experience. As a preacher once declared to his congregation, "I want you to know that I am a non-practicing adulterer." Thus he testified to receiving strength from God. We are all sexually tempted, one way or another, yet we may all tread the path of chastity through the Spirit's enablement, and thereby please God.
Editorial
Who controls your life?
By: Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
Thursday, 8 October 2009, 18:06 (IST)
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