The Massachusetts House voted to repeal a 1913 law that blocked out of state couples from being married in Massachusetts.  The overturning of this law opens the door for gay marriages to be performed no matter where the couples live.  Gov. David Paterson stating that New York state will recognize couples the marriages performed in states where it is legal we are places the people of New York who disagree with his policy in a difficult position.  It raises all kinds of questions for the church.

Where the country stands on the issue of same sex marriage needs to be decided by the people in a popular vote.  When courts and government officials make decisions that side step the voter it undermines the democratic process.  That aside the decisions of our judges and elected officials puts those who disagree with there decisions in a difficult position.

As a member of a church that does not support the idea of same sex marriage we will have to come to grips with how we handle the situation that is being forced upon us.  The danger is, and I believe that those pushing this agenda on us want to happen, that over time public opinion will win out.  If all goes as they plan same sex couples will wed in states where it has been made legal by judicial decree and will move into state that recognize their vows but as yet do not allow the weddings in thier state.  These couples will be our neighbors and friends.  Since it is the recognition of the relationship that is the problem and not the individuals people’s opinion of the unions will soften because of the relationship with the individuals.

For those of us who hold to the biblical position truth is found ourside of ourselves.  If God is, he determines truth based on himself and not on our subjective experiences.  That being the case what we feel about an individual or a couple has nothing to bear on whether their relationship is right and should or should not be sanctioned.  In our reletivistic world people more and more are judging truth based on experience and so if the couple is nice or the relationship brings them personal happiness it must be OKay.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

In the biblical world view God decides what is right and wrong and we must adhere to his standard.  Our feelings about a situation have not bering on whether or not it is right and should be supported.

This situation of same sex marriages will appear at our doorsteps.  Unless we remain in the word of God and allow it to guide our thinking we will be caught up in popular opinion and it will be hard to stop or reverse the trend.  Whatever the society on a whole descides to do we must remain faithful to the word of God.