In today’s increasingly diverse society, many Christians find themselves grappling with a complex question: Should you attend a gay wedding?
As a Bible-believing Christian, receiving an invitation to a gay wedding can evoke a mix of emotions and raise difficult questions. Should you attend the wedding as an act of love and friendship, or would doing so imply support for a union that the Bible describes as immoral and unnatural?
We will also examine the insights of Becket Cook, a former gay man who encountered Jesus and subsequently changed his lifestyle, as well as biblical teachings relevant to this dilemma.
The Tension Between Love and Biblical Teaching
For many Christians, the decision to attend a gay wedding is not taken lightly. On one hand, there is the desire to show love, support, and acceptance to the invitee, whether they are a friend, family member, or colleague.
The example of Jesus, who was known as a “friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34), might encourage some to attend as a means of demonstrating unconditional love and potentially opening doors for future Gospel sharing.
On the other hand, there is the concern that attending the wedding could be misconstrued as endorsing the union, which the Bible explicitly condemns (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27). This conflict between showing love and standing by biblical convictions can be deeply troubling.
A Personal Experience: Becket Cook’s Story
To gain insight into this issue, let’s consider the experience of Becket Cook, a former gay man who converted to Christianity. After his conversion, Cook was invited to a gay wedding and initially agreed to attend, believing it was the loving thing to do. However, he later regretted this decision, finding it confusing for other attendees and feeling that it compromised his witness as a Christian.
Cook now advises against attending gay weddings, citing the potential for confusing one’s Christian witness and the inherent celebration of sin.
Biblical Considerations: Should You Attend a Gay Wedding?
When considering whether you should attend a gay wedding, it’s important to examine the issue from a biblical perspective. Here are several key points to consider:
1. Marriage Should Be Honored
- Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
- Insight: Gay weddings, by redefining marriage, dishonor the institution as ordained by God.
2. Homosexual Unions Are Not Marriage
- Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
- Insight: The biblical definition of marriage is between one man and one woman, distinguishing it from gay unions.
3. Homosexual Unions Are Not Joined in Heaven
- Matthew 19:6 – “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
- Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27 – Highlighting God’s stance against homosexual practices.
- Insight: God does not bless or join gay unions, making attendance a form of supporting something contrary to His will.
4. Homosexual Unions Are a Sin, Not a Celebration
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Listing homosexuals among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, emphasizing the need for repentance and salvation through Christ.
- Insight: Attending a gay wedding to celebrate could be seen as confirming a lifestyle that leads to spiritual separation from God, rather than showing genuine, loving concern.
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5. Christian Love Should Not Rejoice in Wrongdoing
- 1 Corinthians 13:6 – “[Love] does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
- Insight: True Christian love supports both the individual and the truth, distinguishing between loving someone and celebrating their sinful choices.
6. Attending a Gay Wedding Sends a Confusing Message
- Acts 1:8 – Emphasizing the role of Christians as witnesses for Jesus, not for behaviors contrary to His teachings.
- Insight: Attendance could confuse both the Christian and non-Christian communities about one’s allegiance to biblical truth.
7. Going Against Convictions
- Romans 14:23 – “But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
- Insight: For Christians, attending a gay wedding despite reservations can equate to acting against one’s deeply held convictions, derived from God’s Word.
Practical Considerations
If you’re wrestling with whether you should attend a gay wedding, here are some practical points to consider:
- Clarity of Convictions: If you have doubts about attending, it may be best to decline the invitation. Romans 14:23 suggests that acting against one’s convictions is sinful.
- Loving Communication: If you choose not to attend, communicate your decision with love and respect. Explain that while you care for the individual, you can’t celebrate a union that conflicts with your beliefs.
- Continued Relationship: Not attending the wedding doesn’t mean ending the relationship. Continue to pray for and love the individuals involved, while being clear about your concerns for their spiritual well-being.
- Gospel Opportunities: Use these situations as opportunities to share the Gospel message of sin, salvation, and God’s design for human relationships.
Conclusion: Should You Attend a Gay Wedding?
In conclusion, the question “Should you attend a gay wedding?” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. While the Bible does not explicitly state that attending a gay wedding is a sin, the cumulative wisdom from scripture suggests that respectfully declining the invitation might be the most aligned with Christian principles.
This decision is not about rejecting the individuals involved but about upholding the truth of God’s Word and maintaining a clear Christian witness.
