Same Sex Marriage

[JohnR7]

We have a new neighbor that is moving in across the street from us. She refers to the girl that she is living with as her wife. So I asked her: Does that mean your the husband? She said no, she is also a wife.  For christians marriage involved a man and a women, a husband and a wife. So they are using different dictionary than I am using. Still I want to understand their rules or perspective or definition. If I expect them to respect my perspective as a Christian then perhaps I should be willing to be respectful of them. Even though I do not even know any Christians who knows for sure why God makes us male and female and how he wants to join us together with each other. As husband wife, brother sister, mother father and so on. I do believe that we are united in God. Apart from God we are divided. Jesus tells us: "a man's enemies will be the members of his own household". (Matthew 10:36) So it seems clear that only in Christ are we reunited with each other. 

So perhaps this is a discussion on two questions. What is the same sex marriage perspective so that we do not "offend" or insult them. Also what is our perspective as Christians so they can have the same opportunity as us to respect us and our beliefs. I am sure there are people, even women that can explain this better then us. I know my wife does not believe in same sex marriage but she also does not want to stick her nose in other people's business. She just leaves them to their own affairs. Even the girl (women) that was her choir director was sleeping in the same bed as another girl. She just said it was none of her business. 

[BK1110]

I think it's important to define what you mean by respecting them. You can treat a person with dignity, love, and respect (and indeed we are commanded to) without capitulating to their sinful lifestyles and choices. I would say that calling either of them a "wife" would not be godly and would be showing acceptance, or even affirmation, of their sin. But that of course does not mean you cannot be friendly, helpful, and loving towards them.

Voddie Baucham and Sean McDowell have both taught extensively on homosexuality and you can find a lot of their stuff on Youtube. John Piper as well. I would suggest first taking some time to really dive into the subject and confirm your own convictions on what is right and wrong and why is is, Biblically speaking. They you may be more prepared to engage if one or both of them has questions or arguments.

[Who me]

On 4/25/2021 at 9:11 PM, JohnR7 said:

want to understand their rules or perspective or definition. If I expect them to respect my perspective as a Christian then perhaps I should be willing to be respectful of them

I think the easiest way would be to welcome them to your road/street, tell them about any organizations that exist to support residents etc and generally be pleasant.

 

At some point when chatting you will be able to ask:-

' I'm a conservative Christian, who only knows about LGBT through news and soaps, to prevent me putting my foot in it are there anything or any words I should not use?'

 

Or words to that affect.

 

 

[JohnR7]

7 hours ago, Who me said:

' I'm a conservative Christian, who only knows about LGBT through news and soaps, to prevent me putting my foot in it are there anything or any words I should not use?'

I do not think they know that much about it themselves. I am sure there is a wonderful opportunity for a witness and testimony but I am not quite sure what it is we believe as Christians. God made us male and female for a reason. Some believe He divided us so we could be united together in Him. 

[Billiards Ball]

On 4/25/2021 at 4:11 PM, JohnR7 said:

We have a new neighbor that is moving in across the street from us. She refers to the girl that she is living with as her wife. So I asked her: Does that mean your the husband? She said no, she is also a wife.  For christians marriage involved a man and a women, a husband and a wife. So they are using different dictionary than I am using. Still I want to understand their rules or perspective or definition. If I expect them to respect my perspective as a Christian then perhaps I should be willing to be respectful of them. Even though I do not even know any Christians who knows for sure why God makes us male and female and how he wants to join us together with each other. As husband wife, brother sister, mother father and so on. I do believe that we are united in God. Apart from God we are divided. Jesus tells us: "a man's enemies will be the members of his own household". (Matthew 10:36) So it seems clear that only in Christ are we reunited with each other. 

So perhaps this is a discussion on two questions. What is the same sex marriage perspective so that we do not "offend" or insult them. Also what is our perspective as Christians so they can have the same opportunity as us to respect us and our beliefs. I am sure there are people, even women that can explain this better then us. I know my wife does not believe in same sex marriage but she also does not want to stick her nose in other people's business. She just leaves them to their own affairs. Even the girl (women) that was her choir director was sleeping in the same bed as another girl. She just said it was none of her business. 

Two married women are each other's wives (legal definition).

Respecting people means "share the good news with them".

[Who me]

14 hours ago, JohnR7 said:

I am not quite sure what it is we believe as Christians

The Bible is very clear. Marriage is between one man and one woman, for life.

It is also equally clear that homosexuality is wrong.

 

How does this affect you and your new neighbors?

 

It gives you the chance to show the Love of Jesus to more sinner in need of a saviour.

 

If you want more info look up wintery knight and use the search function.

[missmuffet]

On 4/25/2021 at 1:11 PM, JohnR7 said:

We have a new neighbor that is moving in across the street from us. She refers to the girl that she is living with as her wife. So I asked her: Does that mean your the husband? She said no, she is also a wife.  For christians marriage involved a man and a women, a husband and a wife. So they are using different dictionary than I am using. Still I want to understand their rules or perspective or definition. If I expect them to respect my perspective as a Christian then perhaps I should be willing to be respectful of them. Even though I do not even know any Christians who knows for sure why God makes us male and female and how he wants to join us together with each other. As husband wife, brother sister, mother father and so on. I do believe that we are united in God. Apart from God we are divided. Jesus tells us: "a man's enemies will be the members of his own household". (Matthew 10:36) So it seems clear that only in Christ are we reunited with each other. 

So perhaps this is a discussion on two questions. What is the same sex marriage perspective so that we do not "offend" or insult them. Also what is our perspective as Christians so they can have the same opportunity as us to respect us and our beliefs. I am sure there are people, even women that can explain this better then us. I know my wife does not believe in same sex marriage but she also does not want to stick her nose in other people's business. She just leaves them to their own affairs. Even the girl (women) that was her choir director was sleeping in the same bed as another girl. She just said it was none of her business. 

I would communicate with them just as I would any other secular nonchristian person in this world. I would not be rude. I know that the bible tells me that they are living a sinful life. We can be kind to the homosexual couple but not support their life style.. 

[JohnR7]

38 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

I would communicate with them just as I would any other secular nonchristian person in this world. I would not be rude. I know that the bible tells me that they are living a sinful life. We can be kind to the homosexual couple but not support their life style.. 

Yes we have to be careful not to approve: "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them". (Romans 1:32) 

[JohnR7]

58 minutes ago, Who me said:

It is also equally clear that homosexuality is wrong.

It it any more wrong then hetrosexual sex outside of marriage?  I think I need a better understanding of God's plan for marriage. 

[Starise]

I sense some discomfort with the situation hence the reason for posting in the questions area. The other side attempts to label disagreement or discomfort calling anyone who feels discomfort around same sex partners a homophobe. By their thinking Abraham would have been a homophobe because he chose to stay away from the cities where homosexuality was prevalent. Lot on the other hand lived in Sodom and tolerated neighbors will all sorts of distorted sexual appetites. God approved of Abraham but He disapproved of Lot's actions which eventually cost him his wife and belongings only barely escaping with his own life.

I think the lesson we should learn from this is that to condone either through passivity or the open public action of condoning is less than what God expects of us.

You have some discomfort something isn't right because it isn't natural, and no something ISN'T right.

 One should never have to apologize for having a feeling sent from the Spirit of God that a thing isn't right. The far left love to make these labels for people who disagree with them and then demonize them for it. They have been pretty successful because they even have many believers walking on egg shells so as not to be in any way "offensive". God forbid they would be labeled homophobes.

Yes I'm all for hate the sin and love the sinner, just don't let them or their movement manipulate you into making concessions for something that clearly isn't right. Don't become a Lot. Stand up for what is right. 

I am not suggesting we get into their business and ride them incessantly about their lifestyles. We don't really need to. Deep down they already know it isn't right. I think one of the reasons they feel such a strong desire to legalize their behavior and force people through legal means to "accept" their behavior as ok is because they have such an inner struggle going on. If they can get public acceptance it makes them feel a little better about it. In reality it won't make them feel any better internally with respect to God. Public and/or legal acceptance will only result in the facade they are on the right side of it. Nothing that runs from or denies God or His ways will ever prosper for any length of time.

The Bible tells us to love even our enemies and I think God provides us the means to do this honestly and not out of necessity. 

So love them in the Lord. Admit something isn't right because it isn't. Don't bow to a wayward sinful evil agenda in order to "make peace". If it comes right down to it. Make a stand for what is right if put on the spot. Pray for them to see the light. Be that light showing Christ as much as you can. Just don't accept what the Spirit told you wasn't right.