Nine days ago on June 26, 2015 the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) legalized same sex marriage in all fifty states. How should we, as Christians who believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is the authority for our faith and life, respond to this decision biblically?
According to the Bible, marriage is between one man and one woman (Gen 2:24 ”That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” ; Jesus quotes and affirms this verse in Matt 19:5). And practicing homosexuality is a sin. In Leviticus 18, God, through Moses, gave a list of sexual misconducts that still applies today. One of the things God forbade is practicing homosexuality. Verse 22 states: “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” Apostle Paul in 1 Cor 6:9-10 also lists a homosexual relationship among other serious sins: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Based on this biblical foundation, I suggest the following:
1. Don’t judge or hate! But be gracious and loving.
We disagree with the actions of the homosexual, but it is not for us to judge them. Jesus reminds His disciples in Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” We should also not hate those who are homosexual, because Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” And even “Love your enemy!” (Matt 5:44). Instead God wants us to show His love, grace and mercy to the homosexual. They need to know about that. Some gay people are struggling with their sexual orientation, which is not easy. I have counseled gay persons, both male and female, and they expressed their desires to follow God’s principles of sexuality, but it’s hard for them. They need our love, our prayers and support. Judging them and hating them will not help anything but will make the situation worse.
2. Don’t focus on somebody else’s sin and only on certain sins! But be sensitive to our own sins.
In our Bible Study nine days ago, we have discussed 1 Cor 6:9-10. We have to know that homosexuality is not the only serious sin! There are seven other serious sins that Apostle Paul mentions in verses 9 & 10. So, instead of focusing on the sin of homosexuality, we should remember that we are also not free from wrongdoing. We were sinners before we knew Christ. And after we know Christ, we are not perfect yet. It’s important for us to be sensitive to our own flaws and sins, confess them to God and ask for His forgiveness.
3. Don’t compromise your faith and values! But be faithful to His truth.
Some Christians have already compromised the biblical truth about marriage and sexuality because of certain reasons. Often times it is caused by the social pressure that Christians face. Today some people would accuse us, who disagree with same sex marriage, of being bigots, intolerant, homophobic, and even haters. Those are serious accusations. Of course we don’t want people to have a bad view or impression of us. Because of that some Christians just go with the flow, they compromise their faith.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” God puts us on this world to bring light into a dark world and to prevent decay from getting worse in society. If we compromise to the world's values and lifestyle we'll lose our calling to be the salt and the light for our dark world.
Apostle Paul also reminds us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” God calls us to transform the world, not to be conformed to the world. I admire Rick Warren’s statement when he was interviewed by Piers Morgan on same sex marriage: “I fear the disapproval of God more than your disapproval or the disapproval of society.”
4. Don’t be afraid! But be strong and courageous.
The SCOTUS decision puts those who disagree with gay marriage in a difficult situation. Some chaplains who work for the government or for public institutions may lose their job if they are not willing to officiate gay marriage. Some businessmen and businesswomen may be sued if they don’t serve gay couples. It has already happened in several places. A recent case just happened to Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Sweetcakes by Melissa. The officials in Oregon announced that Aaron and Melissa would be fined $135,000 for their refusal to bake a cake for a lesbian wedding.
Story: Father Jonathan Morris said he was walking down Broadway and 22 Street when two men walked by and spat on him on Sunday. "Oh well, I deserve worse," he remarked on Facebook. Shortly thereafter, he added that the two men were probably "caught up in excitement and past resentment."
Jesus reminds His disciples “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places." (John 16:1-2 The Message). And in verse 33 “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” Being Christ's disciples is not easy. Sometimes God allows us to face threats and persecution because of what we believe and the values that we hold firm. This is actually a test for us to show whether we are true believers/disciples who follow Christ because we know and believe that He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) or if we follow Him because we want His blessings or expect an easy life.
When we have to go through this test Jesus also reminds us, ”Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” (Matthew 10:28 The Message). So don’t compromise your faith and values. Don’t be afraid. Keep sharing the good news that Jesus has died and rose again to save those who believe in Him. And Jesus promises “I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 The Message).
5. Don’t forget to pray for the US government!
Apostle Paul encourages us in 1 Tim 2:1-2 “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”
Closing:
In the statement called “Here We Stand: An Evangelical Declaration on Marriage,” in response to the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage, the 100 evangelical leaders who signed the statement wrote the following:
“The gospel must inform our approach to public witness. As evangelicals animated by the good news that God offers reconciliation through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, we commit to:
• Respect and pray for our governing authorities even as we work through the democratic process to rebuild
a culture of marriage (Rom. 13:1-7);
• teach the truth about biblical marriage in a way that brings healing to a sexually broken culture;
• affirm the biblical mandate that all persons, including LGBT persons, are created in the image of God and
deserve dignity and respect;
• love our neighbors regardless of whatever disagreements arise as a result of conflicting beliefs about
marriage;
• live respectfully and civilly alongside those who may disagree with us for the sake of the common good;
• cultivate a common culture of religious liberty that allows the freedom to live and believe differently to
prosper.”
George Washington stated: “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” May God raise up leaders like Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who fear God and lead wisely.
