Just because it's legal doesn't make it right. That statement is true of so many things in our day as our country turns from its Biblical moral base into ever-changing moral relativism.
I write this because of the lead story in Sunday's Democrat-Gazette about marriage licenses issued in Eureka Springs on Saturday morning to same-sex couples -- and marriage ceremonies performed -- as a result of Friday's ruling by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza, striking down Arkansas' ban on same-sex marriages. No doubt, before this opinion piece of mine reaches the press, numerous other county clerks across the state will have issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples and more ceremonies will have been performed.
Yes, I also read that the court decision may be appealed and a stay might be granted to prevent the issuing of same-sex marriage licenses, but who knows how all that will turn out? I don't have much hope the courts will do the right thing since judges have so often struck down laws in agreement with Biblical morality, laws which have been demanded and approved by the people.
But just because it's legal doesn't make it right. No matter what laws our legislatures adopt, how our judges rule or how diligently or undiligently executive branches enforce the laws passed by representatives of the people, there is still a law above the law and a judge above the highest courts and judicial officers of our land; and that law doesn't change with the whims of the people, and the judgment against those who set aside that law won't be altered. Even if the courts strike down just and moral laws and open the flood gates of immorality, even if our legislators amend and repeal good laws, or even if executive powers refuse to enforce just laws, people still have a moral obligation, owed to their Creator, to do what is good and right according to His law.
And, yes, even if the laws of our land are struck down, changed or amended to allow what God's law condemns and to permit what God's law forbids, and if people escape the judgment of man for their immorality, all will still stand before the Judge of all the earth and give account for their rejection of and disobedience to His Word. And that most certainly includes, as well, judges, legislators, governors and others in high positions of our government.
It may be or become legal to have same-sex marriages in Arkansas -- and possibly in every state in the Union -- but that doesn't change what God says of it in Genesis 18-19, Leviticus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, Galatians 5, Ephesians 5, or Jude. And, by the way, lest I appear to be picking on only one form of immorality, God's Word speaks similarly against all perversions of God's purpose and design in His institution of marriage between one man and one woman as defined in Genesis 2, Matthew 19 and elsewhere in the Bible.
The fact that laws are struck down or changed to remove all civil or criminal penalty from what once was considered immoral and criminal doesn't mean people will not have to give answer to the Judge of all when they stand before Him on the Last Day. "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).
And so, I say again, "Just because it's legal doesn't make it right!" Our laws may allow same-sex marriage, divorce, adultery, gambling, and the list goes on; but that doesn't excuse our actions when we disobey God's laws. We still must give account, and our evil deeds will not go unpunished.
What if we are guilty before God -- and we all are in one way or another, for the Bible tells us that if we sin against one commandment we are guilty of all (cf. James 2:10)? Jesus Christ, God's own dear Son, came into this world to fulfill all God's commandments for us -- perfectly in thoughts, words and actions -- and He took our guilt and our punishment upon Himself, dying on the cross and rising again, that we might be pardoned, acquitted, forgiven!
While the homosexual lifestyle, living in adultery, continuing in fornication, drunkenness and the like are incompatible with the Biblical Christian faith, God still loves lost sinners and calls them to repent of their evil deeds and look to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus and His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world. And in His Word He counsels and guides us in living our lives for Him.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
General News on 05/14/2014