Where Does Living Water Counseling stand on the issue of homosexual marriage?

Question: Where does Living Water Counseling stand on the issue of homosexual marriage?Answer: We do not believe that people of the same sex being romantically involved or engaged in sexual activities is God’s will for their lives.We do not believe that God desires for two people of the same sex to be united in marriage.We take the historic Christian moral and ethical point of view that marriage should be limited to one man and one woman.We will never be involved in counseling same sex couples or performing marriage ceremonies for people of the same sex since we believe that such relationships are contrary to God’s intentions and are not seen by God as true marriages.Biblical basis for this positionLeviticus 18:22 ESVYou shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESVOr do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.Romans 1:26-28 ESVFor this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.Leviticus 20:13 ESVIf a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.1 Timothy 1:10 ESVThe sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,1 Corinthians 7:2 ESVBut because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.1 Timothy 1:10-11 ESVThe sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.Mark 10:6-9 ESVBut from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and 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.”Jude 1:7 ESVJust as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.------------------------------------------------------Now we must be clear that there are many ways we can fail to do God’s will in the area of sexuality outside of engaging in homosexual relationships. People who give into this desire are not uniquely sinners sexually unlike the rest of us who also struggle with other forms of sexual thoughts and deeds that fail God’s perfect will of sexual purity and passion in a one man and one woman marriage.There is forgiveness for homosexual activities the same as there is forgiveness for adultery, fornication, and incest. Forgiveness comes through the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and by faith turning away from those actions, which are against God’s will. Faith in Christ helps us to keep desires which are not within the will of God to be manifested in outward actions.We must be able to define what is God’s will for us in the area of sexuality and what is forbidden for us to do. This is vital for us to live moral lives and support proper ethics in society. Christian morals and ethics have always determined that same sex marriage relationship and sexual relationships are outside of God' will for our lives.Why some people struggle with same sex attraction and others don’t is a complex issue. However, such desires can be resisted and do not define a person in the way having blue eyes or being of a particular race defines them. East of Eden we all struggle with wrong sexual desires that have to be controlled. We should have empathy, compassion, respect, and love towards those who have same sex sexual attractions.Christians should show love and respect to those who are living homosexual lifestyles. Love and respect however does not mean we agree with them about what they do in their sexual lives. I can love and respect a person committing fornication but it does not mean that I have to agree with them that sex outside of marriage is pleasing to God. We can disagree with someone agreeably. (See 2 Timothy 2:24-26 for how to do this)It is important we be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry as we have dialogue on this important issue with those in our culture struggling with this issue and who disagree with our perspective.For further reading:If I Tell You I'm Gay, Will You Still Love Me?: One Mother's Journey to Truth and Grace Paperback – by Ann MobleyThe Complete Christian Guide to Understanding Homosexuality: A Biblical and Compassionate Response to Same-Sex Attraction by Joe Dallas (Editor), Nancy Heche (Editor)