Christians can turn Supreme Court decision into a positive

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.