Question received:
I come seeking counsel. I have been ordained for about 2 years now, I have never performed a marriage yet, but I recently started thinking. What should I do if a Homosexual couple asks me to perform their marriage ceremony? Should I do it? What would be most pleasing to God?
My Answer:
Pastor the answer is simple, NO. In no way should you participate or give the church's and God's blessing on this sinful activity. The Word of God forbids homosexual activity. Many scriptures in both the Old Testament and New Testament prohibit and condemn all homosexual acts. Many liberal theologians have tried to contextualize and minimize the consistent judgement against any homosexual behavior. As I wrote earlier it is simple to say the gay lifestyle is wrong but it also very hard to confront people in their sins. It is hard to communicate that you are prohibiting an illicit union for there own good. It is not God's desire that anyone should live in there sin. The following scripture from 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 states that homosexuals, can not inherit the kingdom of God. Unrepentant thieves, drunkards, those who practice any sexual immorality also will not inherit the kingdom of God. You should not bless anyone in the church who is defiantly unrepentant and living in grievous sin. To do so in today's society will make a pastor cling to biblical morals even though they are not in step with the world.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 [NASB]
"9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God"
What would be most pleasing to God you ask? To declare righteousness and also grace. God forgives sinners who do not deserve it. Your ultimate good to do is to get the sinners to repent and to believe the gospel.
This question is being answered in March 2011. States are offering various legislation that will will probably affirm gay unions in some states. The federal government seems content to sit on the sidelines and to let gay unions be the norm. Pastor, be a beacon. Lead the people away from sin not to it.
