The following blog post is by Family Council staff member Deborah Beuerman.
An auspicious group of laymen, elected officials and over 100 Christian pastors in sharp black suits from around the state gathered on the steps of the Capitol to take a stand for the biblical principle of marriage between one man and one woman. Motivated by the judge’s ruling last week that redefined marriage, the group presented a united front to honor God and His Word, calling same-sex “marriage” a sin and wrong. Leaders were careful to reiterate God’s love and their love for people, but hatred of sin.
The national anthem was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance recited, and to a loud chorus of “Amen” “Halleluiah” and clapping hands, the men passionately prayed and presented the statement of the Ecumenical Coalition of Faith Leaders of Arkansas:
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:27–28). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well-being of society.
We believe that term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of conflicting opinions or trends in society. Therefore, as the Ecumenical Coalition of Faith Leaders we stand against the lifting of the ban on same sex marriage and call for the ban to be reissued.
The church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women,” always reminding church members of their “obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people.”
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the church.
After the joyful and animated singing of the hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” the group began to disperse. It was the type of meeting that leaves one uplifted and wishing for just a little more.
How encouraging and exciting it was to be in the midst of these courageous men who dared to step forward and stand for their beliefs! Would that we would all join them in the cause to stand firm for marriage as instituted by God, and to stand strong against the homosexual agenda perpetuated by one judge choosing to ignore the will of the people of Arkansas.
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Organized by the National Organization for Marriage, the 2014 March for Marriage events will take place in Washington D.C. tomorrow, beginning with a rally from 11am to 1pm followed by a March to the Supreme Court.