Recently there has been a revived push to re-define marriage, rather than simply disregarding its importance. Of course, the big turning point legally came on June 26, 2015 when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same-sex marriage is a right[1]. This ruling gave “equal dignity in the eyes of the law,” commented Justice Kennedy. Legally, this means equal legal benefits.
Now, this is expanding to polyamoral relationships. To clarify, more than two adults living in sexual promiscuity may be viewed as having a moral/legal marriage. In July 2020, Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Sommerville, Massachusetts signed this into law[2]. This city of about 80,000 has around two dozen polyamorous households, and I expect that number to grow with this new law.
Although these diverse “marriages” will receive new legal benefits, they will be missing one major benefit - God’s blessing. Christians, and others, should avoid being sucked into this atrocious, re-defining of God’s gift to us as His beloved children. Hebrews 13:4 says keep “the marriage bed pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
The Apostle Paul explains in I Corinthians chapters 6 and 7, “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral… nor adulterers nor homosexual offenders… will inherit the kingdom of God (6:9-10),” and “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband (7:2-3).” These words give God’s definition of marriage. Some want marriage benefits without the careful restrictions that God sets for us, thus missing His blessings. Naming a relationship “marriage” does not mean it’s a marriage in God’s eyes.
Don’t make it something it’s not. Driving my Ford Focus I noticed a group of Hummer owners gathered in a parking lot ready for their off-road adventure. I imagined the fun I’d have as part of that group, but I don’t own a Hummer, nor can I purchase one. The only “solution” I could think of was getting Hummer badges from a junk yard and putting them on my Focus, telling the group those badges are evidence my vehicle is as capable on a trail as theirs. This way I could enjoy the adventure without the cost of a Hummer, right? Of course, this decision would soon show I could not truly enjoy the trip. In reality, believing my Focus had the same benefits of the superior off-road design of a Hummer would surely lead me to a wreck.
Simply affixing the name “marriage’ on any relationship does not actually make it a marriage. God created us and defined the parameters of our relationships as a gift for our good and His glory. His blessings are realized by us only when we live within His definitions. Will you rather help others to receive God’s blessings, or allow them to have only temporary benefits?
Joshua 24:15, “… it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
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[1] https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf [2] https://breakpoint.org/legalizing-polyamory/
