Sadly, our government has passed into law a bill which attempts to redefine marriage.  Our Church protested against the proposal of this legislation before it was passed into law.  The following is one of the submissions made to the Select Committee.  

We oppose the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill which “aims to ensure that all people, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity will have the opportunity to marry if they so choose,” because it is contrary to the Word of God, the law of God, and the light of nature, and brings the nation into danger of divine anger.

 A. FORBIDDEN: The practice which this bill tolerates is prohibited by:

1.  The Word of God in the Holy Scriptures.  Bible believing Christians in all ages value marriage as a Christian institution. God Himself brought to pass the first marriage between our first parents Adam and Eve in Genesis 2.18-24.  The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed the divine definition of marriage in Mark 10.6-9, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh; so then they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” The Bible repeatedly gives clear testimony to God’s displeasure towards those who have engaged in the sin of sodomy or homosexuality.  God’s holy and inspired Word makes it very clear that those who engage in sins contrary to divinely appointed marriage will be excluded from heaven, as is declared in 1Corinthians 6.9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

2.  The Law of God.  The seventh of the Ten Commandments forbids adultery and every other act of uncleanness.  The Scriptural example of Sodom and Gomorrah demonstrates that homosexuality is forbidden by the seventh commandment.  A redefinition of marriage which recognizes same sex marriages is in breach of the law of God.

3. The Light of nature.  The physiology of men and women clearly convey the conclusion that heterosexual marriage is exclusive.  Romans 1.26-27 “…For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another.”  The practice of homosexuality is condemned by the conscience of mankind and liable to divine punishment. Romans 1.32 “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” By redefining marriage our national Parliament will sanction a practice that God’s Word and the light of nature forbid.

B. DANGER OF JUDGEMENT

 1.  Threatening of judgment on the nation. The bill brings the nation under the divine displeasure.  Cities in the ancient world were judged openly for these sinful practices.  Jude 1.7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”  The State Authority is without excuse in giving legal protection to divinely condemned practices, and further puts the nation in danger of approaching judgment.   

 2.  Christ will judge the world in righteousness.  Those who commit the sin of homosexuality are capable of forgiveness, as are others.  But if the sin is not repented of, the sinner must be judged and condemned and punished to eternity.  The leaders of our nation will be held accountable for legislation that sanctions immoral behaviour and for the creation of an unscriptural definition for and the violation of the divinely instituted ordinance of marriage.

3.  Encouragement to obedience.  There are profound benefits attached to faithful national adherence to God’s law.  Proverbs 14.34 states, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” and Psalm 119.165 declares, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”  

CONCLUSION

By amending the bill, Parliament is attempting to rend asunder what God has joined together.  God has joined a man and a woman together in marriage, and Parliament by attempting to redefine marriage would take the man from the woman and the woman from the man, separating what God has united, and joining together what God has forbidden.  It is also a real concern that those who oppose, on the grounds of conscience, the redefinition of marriage might face prosecution for failing to comply with state requirements associated with this bill. Parliament will legalise a practice and a union which is condemned by the Word of God, the law of God and the light of nature; and brings the nation under the divine displeasure. Members of Parliament who support this redefinition of marriage will be held accountable to God for the perversion of a divine institution.