I disagree with the
Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states. To
those who know me well, that is about as big a surprise as the sun
coming up in the east.
Or about as big a
surprise as the Court's ruling.
I find the homosexual
lifestyle in conflict with the teachings of the Bible, which I have
chosen to be the roadmap to my own life and the Bible clearly teaches
that homosexuality is a sin. (See Romans 1, I Corinthians 6, I
Timothy 1.)
It is just as divorce, lying,
hatred and many other common behaviors are called sin. And they are
sins that can be forgiven, just like homosexuality.
That is not to take any
of those sins lightly, nor is it intended to ignore the fact that
some sins have different earthly consequences than others. However, many
Christians, including myself, have the tendency to categorize sin,
forgetting that all sin separates us from God.
As a Christian, I
understand that and try my best to live my life in that manner.
Sometimes I fail miserably. I also understand that Christianity can,
and should, run counter to the prevailing thought in contemporary
culture.
Instead, my disagreement
to the decision is more in line with the dissents penned by Chief
Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Antonin
Scalia. Their opinion focuses on the constitutionality of five
persons on the Supreme Court usurping the power of the court. Roberts
wrote that the issue should be taken up by the states and that it
should not be a concern of the court.
If you want to read the
entire 103 pages of legalese, both the majority and minority
opinions, you can go to
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/politics/scotus-opinion-document-obergefell-hodges/index.html.
However, believing the
events of June 26, 2015 were inevitable under the current court
makeup, I have been thinking extensively about how I would react to
the decision. I still wonder how I will react over the next 5 or 10
years. I know I come in contact with people who embrace the gay
lifestyle every day, whether they practice it or simply support it.
I am praying for guidance
and hope you are as well.
With that in mind, here
are some random thoughts on the decision.
I CAN AND MUST LIVE WITH
THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION.
Few who adhere to a
literal interpretation of the Bible and try to live their lives
accordingly do. Many feel the decision is an affront to their faith
and cite the many Scripture references as support for their position.
However, I see few
differences in the homosexual lifestyle whether two who participate
in it are married or not. Granted there are some legal differences,
such as inheritance, insurance and other legal matters, but those are
beyond the scope of this blog entry.
The main thing I am
concerned about is the ability of Christians being forced to accept
the lifestyle and being forced to give implicit endorsement. Would a
minister be forced to officiate at a ceremony celebrating that which
he holds strong convictions against? Would a business person be
forced to “participate” with his services? We have seen the
concrete examples such as screen printers, bakers and florists.
(For that matter, I am
continuously baffled by the insistence of those participating in the
LGBT lifestyle that businesses cater to them. If someone does not
want your business, there are others that do. It's simple.)
Lost in much of the
shouting from both sides of the issue is the fact that even the five
Supreme Court justices who voted to make same-sex marriage the law of
the land addressed this issue.
“Finally, it must be
emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious
doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction
that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned.
The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons
are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that
are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to
their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have
long revered. The same is true for those who oppose same-sex marriage
for other reasons. In turn, those who believe allowing same-sex
marriage is proper or indeed essential, whether as a matter of
religious conviction or secular belief, may engage those who disagree
with their view in an open and searching debate. The Constitution,
however, does not permit the State to bar same-sex couples from
marriage on the same terms as accorded to couples of the opposite
sex.”
For now, it appears the
Supreme Court is acknowledging the right of churches, faith-based
groups and individuals to still freely exercise their faith. Whether
the current or future administrations will heed the wording of this
decree without another day at the highest court remains to be seen.
THE RULING COULD ACTUALLY
BE GOOD FOR CHRISTIANS.
Anyone who has seen a
freshly cut tree has seen the small rings that can give you some idea
of how old a tree is. Those rings aren't formed during the growing
season but in the winter when things are tough for any plant to
survive. The rings also provide the strength in the tree trunk.
Without those rings, formed when the weather is worst for growing,
the tree becomes weak and will not stand.
I believe the church can
actually be made stronger by testing. If anything, the tests and
opposition to God and those who try to live in His will can make us
stronger. We will need to examine ourselves and see if we really are
“all in” or not in our commitment to Jesus Christ.
RESPOND WITH LOVE.
That might be very hard.
While those who agree with the Supreme Court's decision rejoice at a
“victory for equality,” the strongest venom I have seen or heard
has come from those who claim to preach “tolerance.”
A Facebook friend derided
opponents of the ruling with a profanity-laden post questioning
people's intelligence and questioning their knowledge of what being
American is all about. Suffice it to say that as of June 26, that
person is no longer on my Timeline.
That should not be taken
as an indictment of everyone on the left. I have some friends who are
happy with the ruling and have expressed that with grace and
civility. I have also seen and heard plenty of vitriol from
conservative Christians who seem to think that people will respond
positively when backed into a corner.
Take it from someone who
grew up on a farm and has had plenty of experience: Backing a
creature into the corner only makes it fight harder.
Some proponents of the
LGBT lifestyle – or any lifestyle that has been traditionally
believed to be contrary to the Bible – argue with bizarre interpretations
of the Word. Then, when one disagrees, the “You are not tolerant!”
mantra takes over. When that happens, it is also easy for us to act like
an animal backed into its corner.
Yet, what Jesus DID teach
over and over again that we are to love people. One of my favorite
passages is John 8:1-11, where a woman, who was caught in the act of
adultery was about to be stoned by the religious leaders of the day.
Jesus told them, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
And to the woman he said,
“Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” Notice that
Jesus did not say what she did was OK. He loved her and said, “Go
and sin no more!”
Disagreement is not
hatred. Christians should not give anyone an opportunity to portray
it as such.
CHURCHES SHARE SOME OF
THE BLAME FOR OUR COUNTRY'S MORAL DECLINE.
I have come to this
conclusion over the last 15-20 years and believe it more today than
ever before.
We want people to worship
with us. We want to make them feel welcome, as we should.
However, have we become
so “non-threatening” that the sinner has no conviction to change
his lifestyle?
Have we argued so much
over worship styles and being “relevant” that we have actually
become irrelevant?
Have we preached so much
about the love of God (which we should!) that we have neglected the
parts about being called to Christ means there is a transformation of
self? Have we so emphasized there is a heaven that we have
neglected to teach about the horrors of hell?
I am so proud Alex
Avritt, who I got to know from the days when she played high school
basketball at Anderson County High School. Alex is in college now but
on her Facebook timeline Friday, she wrote, “The Bible makes it
clear that homosexuality is wrong. And the Word of God NEVER changes,
regardless of how much this world has changed. Isaiah 40:8 & 1
Cor. 6:9-10.”
Alex also wrote on
Twitter, “You either live the Bible entirely or not at all. You
can’t just choose bits and pieces of it that YOU want to live by
because it’s not about you, it’s about HIM.”
Speak on, Alex! Speak on
others like her!
WHEN WE RELY ON PEOPLE OF
THIS WORLD, WE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.
Human government, while
it is ordained of God (see Romans 13), is still made up of people.
People are fallible, even when they are on the Supreme Court of the
United States.
For too long, many
conservative Christians have almost equated Christianity with the
Republican Party. I am as guilty of this as anyone.
While it is true that
conservative Christians identify more readily with the GOP, we must
remember that the Bible does not say, “Ronald Reagan is the way and
Rand Paul is the truth.”
Jesus said, “I am the
way, the truth and the life.”
He also said, “My
kingdom is not of this world.”
While we should be
involved in the political system and should make our presence known –
Jesus calls his followers, “Salt of the earth” – our ultimate
allegiance is to GOD. He is first. Our citizenship is in his kingdom.
And He will not
disappoint.
