The New Testament book of Hebrews is a wonderful testimony to the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  For 12 chapters the author points his readers again and again to Christ as the only savior for sinners and as the personal fulfillment of redemptive history itself.  As he concludes his letter in the 13th chapter the author states an important fact about the Lord Jesus followed by a crucial piece of instruction for Christians: 

If Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever then it only stands to reason that the doctrine of salvation - which is grounded in the person and work of the Lord Jesus - is likewise unchanging.  This is why the author of Hebrews says to his readers "do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings."  As Christians it is of vital importance that we uphold and maintain an orthodox understanding of what it means to be saved.  Like the Savior Himself, the biblical doctrine of salvation has not changed and will not change...  so let's make sure that we know this doctrine in all of its parts to the glory of God. 

One tool to help us understand the doctrine of salvation is called the "Ordo Salutis," (Latin for Order of Salvation).  The Ordo Salutis lays out the logical sequence of salvation from a biblical perspective.  It includes important biblical words that all Christians should be able to define - words like:

Election
Effectual Calling
Regeneration
Conversion
Justification
Adoption
Sanctification
Perseverance
Glorification

How many of these words do you know?

To help you learn these words or to refresh your understanding of them Tim Challies has produced a wonderful infographic illustrating the Ordo Salutis - you'll find it below.

Click here for a higher-quality printable version of the infographic.

Martin Luther (Nov 10, 1483 - Feb 18, 1546) was a German theologian, an Augustinian monk, and an ecclesiastical reformer whose teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions. Luther's call to the Church to return to the teachings of the Bible led to the formation of new traditions within Christianity and to the Counter-Reformation, the Roman Catholic reaction to these movements.
Luther's contributions to Western civilization went beyond the life of the Christian Church. Luther's translations of the Bible helped to develop a standard version of the German language and added several principles to the art of translation. Luther's hymns inspired the development of congregational singing in Christianity. 

In light of this mornings Supreme Court ruling declaring homosexual marriage to be a enumerated constitutional right I thought it was timely to share a small portion of a Q&A  dialogue on the subject.  I trust it will be helpful.  For another  helpful article on the subject of same-sex marriage written from a different perspective please read "Same-Sex Marriage & the Future" by Russell Moore.

In the meantime, if you are a Christian troubled by todays ruling and concerned about its implications for religious liberty and free-speech, please take comfort in the following facts:

1)  Homosexuals are not our enemies - they are people who are lost and need the transformative gospel of Jesus Christ.
2)  Regardless of the dictates of the governments of man,  Christ is still on the throne and the good news is still true.
3)  Agreeing with God's is always the right thing to do - especially when it is difficult to do so.
4)  Always remember that Jesus wins (see Psalm 2).  At the end of the game all of the pieces will put back in the box and only Christ and His people will stand victorious.  

Though at first this might seem pedantic it is nevertheless important to point out that same-sex “marriage” is not really “marriage” in any real sense of the word.

Why is this?

This is because real marriage (unlike same-sex marriage) is most assuredly NOT a manmade institution or a societal construct, it is an institution very obviously imposed upon mankind from an outside source.  Proof of this is that marriage is hemmed in with very obvious biological, anatomical, and psychological (not to mention theological) parameters. 

A pastor would argue that these marital-parameters were given by God.  An evolutionary biologist might argue that these parameters were given by nature.  Either way though we are both agreed that the parameters are there.  They exist.  They are facts.  They are beyond our control.  They are unaffected by our feelings, preferences, desires, wishes, wants, and yearnings.  They are unalterably bound-up in the concept of marriage.  Since same-sex marriage has no such parameter and is little more than a societal construct it does not qualify as “marriage” in any way shape or form.

Politicians might pass legislation that will change how our society is permitted to use the word “marriage.”  Justices might pronounce judgments changing the legal definition of the word “marriage.”  But these are merely linguistic games  that cannot change the institution of marriage any more than they can change the biological, anatomical, psychological and theological parameters that surround it. 

Above I mentioned that it seemed as if marriage had been imposed upon mankind from an outside source.  It has, of course.  God is the outside source.  He alone has “imposed” marriage upon mankind without ever canvassing our views on the subject.   Therefore marriage’s meaning, its boundaries, and its blessings all come from God and are clearly laid down in His word, the Bible. 

Here are some scripture references that might help you understand why I, along with any Christian who takes the Bible seriously, cannot affirm the practice of homosexuality let alone support the concept of same-sex “marriage”

1.)  Marriage has been given by God as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride the church (Ephesians 5:32).   This is yet one more proof that God has set the institution up in a very particular way and for a very particular purpose and therefore we have no real authority to redefine or recreate it.

2.)  Homosexual behavior is strictly prohibited in both the Old and New Testaments (Lev. 18:22-24, Lev. 20:13, I Cor. 6:9-20, I Tim 1:10) as being contrary to God’s design in creation.

3.)  Homosexuality along with all other forms of sexual immorality is always represented as intrinsically sinful behavior that provokes the wrath of God (Rom.1:26-28) and dehumanizes its participants. 

4.)  Scripture clearly shows that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman.  (Gen.2:22-24, Matt. 19:5-6).         

5.)  Homosexuals (like all of the rest of us) though sinners are NOT beyond the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (I Cor 6:9-11 – please note the implications of the phrase “such were some of you” in v.11).  Christians who, in the name of love or tolerance, support same-sex marriage are simply affirming homosexuals in their sin.  Furthermore, they have embraced a very troubling philosophy – namely, that whoever the gospel is for, it certainly isn’t for the sexually immoral. 

Can I say to you very bluntly that if the gospel isn’t for the sexually immoral, be they homosexuals, adulterers, fornicators, or people who yield to lust, then the gospel isn’t for me…  and it isn’t good news at all…  But, of course, it is for me and it is good news.  Therefore, I am against same-sex marriage because I am for the gospel. 

Charles Peace (May 14, 1832-February 25, 1879) was an English career criminal whose burglaries and murders eventually led to his execution 136 years ago today.  During his final walk to the gallows the condemned man was visited by a nameless pastor who told Peace to repent of his sins and to seek God’s mercy before meeting the hangman and going on to meet God as judge. 

The pastor, who had made such an appeal many times before to convicted men facing execution seemed to deliver his appeal with all of the passion of a man reading aloud from the yellow pages.  There was no zeal, no winsomeness, & no urgency in what the pastor had to say, particularly when he mentioned of the reality of hell.  Charles Peace, just moments from his execution was shocked at the lifelessness of the pastor's words and he responded with what would be his last words on earth:

On the 136 anniversary of his execution, let us hear the wisdom and answer the challenge of a condemned man.  Moreover, let us commit ourselves to the communication of the gospel even as we seek to live in the light of its eternal claims with winsomeness, passion, and sympathy for our fellowman.  Let us remember the never-dying soul of man, the reality of eternity, the certainty of judgment, and the mercy of God in the gospel.  Also let us embrace afresh the words of the apostle Paul who reminds us:

   “…we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20