Posted on 04/24/2018 9:50:02 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Someone asks "I have friends who are gay and planning a wedding. They know my beliefs on homosexuality — that it is not God's creative design. I'm expecting to receive a wedding invite anytime. What should I do?"
Tim writes:
These are tough questions — at first glance. What do I mean? One could agonize over such a question, but I believe the follower of Christ would recognize that he or she has one loyalty — to Jesus Christ. That means doing what the Bible says.
I could refer to that text about not being unequally yoked — meaning a believer should not marry a non-believer, but there's a more basic argument here.
A wedding is a God-ordained event. Genesis 2:21ff reads, "So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man."
Notice that God Himself brought the woman to the man. God is pictured as the father of the bride.
Many Christians will have differing answers to this question and various arguments. I do not believe a Christian should attend such a wedding for this basic reason ... this is not a "get-together" or a social event. God Himself is being called on to oversee this solemn event and those in attendance are "witnesses" of it.
Remember, God ordained this holy event.
That's my answer. Having said that, I am not opposed to inviting the couple to a dinner at a local restaurant sometime later where I treat them to a meal. Why? There is no theological conflict here and such a meal would provide an opportunity to enjoy the meal and conversation. This is in my thinking a way to say "I value each of you as persons and appreciate your friendship."
This keeps the doors of communication open.
There is no need to discuss why you did not attend the wedding; place the focus on the present time — a meal and fellowship. If there are pointed questions from the "couple," "why did you not attend the wedding?" deflect them with a bright smile and something like "we wanted to enjoy your presence in a smaller setting." Then move the conversation in a different direction.
You want to keep the lines of communication open while honoring Christ. It can be a fine line to walk, but it can be done — because "with God, all things are possible."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tim Wilkins is the creator of the conference MORE THAN WORDS which focuses on walking (versus talking) people out of homosexuality. MORE THAN WORDS has been conducted across the United States among various denominations. Tim's expertise in this area of ministry stems from his own freedom from homosexuality some thirty years ago. He advocates people turn down the heat on the issue and turn up the light. www.crossministry.org
Do as you please but the church is a hospital for sinners, not a waiting area for saints.
I agree you shouldn’t attend and do not agree with him that you should pretend all is well and you were just busy.
BE HONEST WITH GAYS, they deserve it.
People attend weddings to show their support for the union being forged.
So, if you support the arrangement, go. Check with God to get His opinion first.
I don’t even attend weddings of friends or family marrying again after divorce. I did one time after the man had accepted Christ.
I have assisted a photographer with weddings of divorced persons.
Ah, humblegunner, you always have such a soft and reserved way of expressing yourself. I’m guessing you’re the shy type.
LOL!
Hospitals exist to cure the ill, not celebrate their illness.
Hell no. I don’t go to heterosexual weddings either. They cost too much money to attend.
Right, I get that, but as a sinner myself I will show love and kindness to anyone in order that they may receive the grace I have, but I do not have to imply my consent or support for an action that is clearly sinful and an affront to the One I serve.
It’s not a wedding, it’s a mockery of marriage.
The church is where REPENTANT sinners prepare for a future. The Gospel starts with:
“The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”
A hospital that takes in patients who believe they are already healthy won’t have much success.
No.
I have no problem with getting together for activities, talk, dinner, etc., but I will not do something that would show any affirmation for their homosexual relationship.
Absolutely, unequivocally NO.
Hell no
There’s no such thing as a “Gay” wedding, so there’d be no reason to go. Let the sodomites celebrate their perversions alone. No need to drag others into it.
The sin is no different than one spouse being an open and well-known alcoholic.
If you attend that wedding, it is just as sinful as the homo wedding, imho. Comments?
What if one of the homos is your child?
No, I would never attend a gay civil ceremony, and that’s all it is. Incidentally, my 80 yo uncle is gay and thinks gay marriage is useless.
No.
Not NO, but HELL NO!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.