Colossians 1:15-17
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
I am honestly unconcerned as to whether or not the state redefines marriage. I have tried to get on board, but I quickly lose interest.
Why?
Because, Jesus Christ is in control.
Look, if what Paul wrote to the Colossians is true, then what’s all the panic about? I mean, do you really think that the state has the authority to redefine what a marriage actually is?
Let’s say that the state completely changes all the legal codes regarding marriage, and it’s no longer a legally protected, monogamous union between one man and one woman. I ask rhetorically:
Does that mean that we (Christians) are then to ignore Christ and acquiesce to the state?
The answer is obvious.
Matthew 19:3-6
“And Pharisees came up to Him and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.””
Here, Jesus was addressing the common challenge of the day regarding marriage: divorce. He was not addressing today’s common challenge: marriage not being exclusive to only opposing gendered, monogamous unions. What is interesting is that just as Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees’ challenge of their day was perfectly appropriate (by reminding them of the definition, origin, and originator of marriage), His response is perfectly appropriate for today’s challenge as well. Here’s what I mean…
Let’s insert today’s challenge into the same passage of scripture, and see how it reads:
And Pharisees came up to Him and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful to REDEFINE MARRIAGE?” He answered, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Christ’s answer is universal. It applies today, as well as “yesterday”. The state cannot separate what God has joined together. The state may do whatever it decides regarding its version of marriage, but it’s powerless to actually change anything.
Why do I say this?
Because the state is subject to God…
Romans 13:1b
“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Now, if given the opportunity, do we (Christians) uphold what God has instituted regardless of what the state does? Of course. But, if God allows His institution to suffer, we should not worry. His ways are not humanity’s ways:
Isaiah 55:8
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”
As for attempting to convince the unregenerate of what a marriage actually is, we are all image bearers of God. Therefore, we all ALREADY know by default the truth in regards to this matter…
All marriages are civil unions, but not all civil unions are marriages.
God (Jesus Christ) defines marriage, not the state. The state defines civil unions, not the Bible.
The Gospel is “good news.” It is meant to relieve us (those who repent and who also trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior) of the worries and stresses of this world, such as things like the state’s assault on marriage. It’s a reminder that God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is in total control… so rest.
Revelation 22:12-13
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense with Me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Godspeed, to the brethren!
Check out my book!
theidolbabbler.com 
Excellent!
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Great article overall John! One caveat however, in a Republic like we live in here in the US, the people are the last and final word in the civil government. Therefore, to the extent that Christians gave up their participatory powers in holding the civil government to the will of God, those Christians will have to give an account to King Jesus for not loving our neighbor and being the salt and light he called us to be.
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Amen. Here’s a line from the blog:
“Now, if given the opportunity, do we (Christians) uphold what God has instituted regardless of what the state does? Of course.”
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